IUMS slams attack on scholars, particularly its member Sheikh Al-Omari in Lebanon
All praise be to Allah and peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, His messenger, and upon his family, companions, and followers.
The International Union of Muslim Scholars has learnt with extreme sorrow the news of an assault on Sheikh Ahmed Al-Omari, member of the IUMS Board of Trustees, and the severe beating his companions received in the southern district in Beirut.
The union declares its solidarity with Sheikh Al-Omari, condemning the assault on his protected rights, on his companions, and asserts the following:
1- The union regrets the recurrent assault on scholarly authorities and social figures as it threatens harmony and stability in Lebanon, particularly IUMS scholars like Sheikh Ahmed Al-Omari, member of the Board of Trustees and head of the IUMS Al-Quds Committee.
2- The union calls the Lebanese government to protect scholarly figures, pursue the perpetrators and make sure they receive the adequate penalty for the crimes they commit against individuals and society.
3- The union calls for clearing the Lebanese scene from features of armament and sectarian militias and to limit the possession of arms to official bodies authorized by power of the law and the constitution.
4- The union urges scholars and people of reason in Lebanon to cooperate and prevent assaults on any of the Lebanese constituents, and the targeting of social and religious figures, particularly scholars who seek to smother sedition, and who have been and remain a factor for concord and pacification in the Lebanese situation.
19 Safar, 1435 H
21 December, 2013
Dr. Ali Al-Qaradaghi Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi
IUMS Secretary General IUMS President