A Muslim (named Jihad, incidentally) just called in to the Mark Larson Show and insisted, among other things, that Islam forbids suicide, and thus that suicide bombing was condemned by Islam. Jihad, you might want to have a word with the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem (who was appointed to the post because he was supposed to be a moderate, replacing a much more inflammatory incumbent, Sheikh Ikrima Sabri).
“New J’lem Mufti endorses suicide bombers: New Grand Mufti of Jerusalem hints that Palestinians have right to resist occupation by any means,” by Yaniv Berman in Ynet News, with thanks to the Constantinopolitan Irredentist:
On October 15, The Media Line news agency conducted an exclusive interview with the newly appointed Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and the Palestinian Lands Sheikh Muhammad Ahmad Hussein. During the interview the mufti said he endorsed the phenomenon of the suicide bombers, as it was part of the Palestinian people’s legitimate resistance….
With a Hamas government on the one hand and an angry US on the other, Abbas could not afford an inflammatory figure sitting in the highest religious post. He decided to appoint Sheikh Muhammad Ahmad Hussein, manager and imam of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
‘A simple man’
An informed Palestinian source told The Media Line that Hussein was “a simple man, born to a family of humble means.” He was chosen by Abbas because of an important quality he had — an ability to avoid controversies. According to the source, Hussein fears to lose all he has gained, and “Abbas knows he will never jeopardize his position.”
For three months the new grand mufti followed Abbas’ expectations. People who came to listen to him preach on Fridays in Al-Aqsa Mosque never heard him inciting against Israel. His fatwas (religious decrees) also avoided such controversial statements.
Hussein explains that the authority of the grand mufti was wide-ranging.
“We discuss worship, personal issues, economic issues, social issues and political issues — everything which is related to Islam.”
Hussein went on to explain that the mufti discusses all aspects of Islam, including politics.
And then he made a surprising comment.
“It is the Palestinian people’s right to engage in resistance until the occupation ends. As long as the resistance is legitimate, everything related to it is also legitimate.”
Asked to express his view with regard to suicide bombing, the mufti answered: “It is legitimate, of course, as long as it plays a role in the resistance.”