Egyptian Presidential Elections -
Sheik Yusuf Qaradawi
(Updated June 2012)
Sheik Yusuf Qaradawi is an Egyptian Islamic theologian
best known for his TV program "Shariah and Life" broadcast
through Al-Jazeera to an approximate 40 million people worldwide. Qaradawi
has written and published more than 100 books and, in 1997, founded
the popular website "Islam Online" for which he now serves
as chief religious scholar. In late February 2011, after the resignation
of President Hosni Mubarak, Sheik Qaradawi spoke to cheering crowds
in Tahrir square as part of his first public appearance in Egypt in
more than 50 years. He had been banned from the country, and put on
its most wanted list, as a result of his affiliations with the Muslim
Brotherhood.
Qaradawi is widely viewed as one source of intellectual
inspiration for the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and although he has
twice turned down the opportunity to lead the group, he maintains strong
ties with its rank and file. A 2008 Foreign Policy magazine poll put
Qaradawi third on its worldwide list of public intellectuals. Qaradawi
was one of the first influential Islamic clerics to denounce the attacks
of September 11th and has also been an outspoken critic of Al-Qaeda;
however, he publicly supports attacking US troops in Iraq and Palestinian
terrorism, including suicide bombings in Israel. He famously regards
all of Israel as Muslim territory, strongly opposes the State of Israel
and even derides the Palestinian Authority (he once called for the stoning
of PA President Mahmoud Abbas).
Sheik Qaradawi has been a overt source of Muslim fatwas,
or religious edicts, over the past few decades. He has issued fatwa's
in support of suicide bombings against Jews, attacks against US soldiers
in the Middle East, conquest of Europe "by the sword" and
Jihad agsainst the West. His status as one of the Islamic worlds leading
Sunni clerics gives added importance, leverage and legitimacy to his
fatwas across Egypt and the region.
On Muslim Obligation for Jihad
It [is] obligatory upon every Muslim wherever he
is to defend Jerusalem, and al-Aqsa Mosque. This is an obligation
upon all Muslims to participate in defending Jerusalem with their
souls, money, and all that they possess, otherwise a punishment
from Allah shall descend on the whole nation. ” –The
Atlantic, February 2011
Lebanon and Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia are all neighbors of
Israel, and whoever wanted to set out [on Jihad] from these countries
could have done so … But it is as if we have become the protectors
of Israel. ” –Al-Jazeera,
January 2009
A message to our brothers in Palestine: I harbor the hope that Allah…will
allow me to witness the conquest of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.” –Egyptian
Channel 1, February 2011
On Suicide Terrorism
These martyr operations led by the Palestinian
fighters against Israel spring from resistance and all Muslims who
kill to defend their land, honor and religion are martyrs. ”
–Agence
France-Presse, June 2001
[Suicide bombings] are heroic martyrdom operations, and the heroes
who carry them out … are driven by an overwhelming desire
to cast terror and fear into the hearts of the oppressors. ”
– Los Angeles Times, May 2001
On Israel
The conquerors [of Palestine] are those with the greatest enmity
toward the believers, and they are supported by the strongest
state on earth - the USA, and by the world Jewish community. ”
–The
Atlantic, February 2011
The least the Muslim can do is to boycott the enemies' goods.
” –The
Atlantic, February 2011
The Jews' claims to Al-Buraq Wall [Western Wall] dates back only
to recent times ... those who claim that [the Jews] have a long
history in Israel are liar. ” –Islam
Online, 2004
On Muslim and Islamic view
towards Jews
Receiving enemies in our own countries and visiting them in the
occupied lands would remove such a psychological barrier that keeps
us away from them, and would bridge the gap that keeps the desire
for Jihad against them kindled in the hearts of the Ummah. ”
–The
Atlantic, February 2011
We believe that the battle between us and the Jews is coming ...
Such a battle is not driven by nationalistic causes; it is rather
driven by religious incentives. This battle … is between Muslims
and Jews… This battle will occur between the collective body
of Muslims and the collective body of Jews. ” –The
Atlantic, February 2011
Allah lies in wait for [Jews], and He will not forsake [Islam].
He will not allow [Jews] to continue to spread corruption in the
land. We wait for the revenge of Allah to descend upon them, and,
Allah willing, it will be by our own hands…This is my message
to the treacherous Jews, who have never adhered to what is right.
” – Al-Jazeera,
January 2009
Oh Allah, take your enemies, the enemies of Islam. Oh Allah, take
the Jews, the treacherous aggressors. Oh Allah, take this profligate,
cunning, arrogant band of people. Oh Allah, they have spread much
tyranny and corruption in the land. Pour Your wrath upon them. ”
–Al-Jazeera,
January 2009
On Libyan Leader Moammar Al-Gaddafi
[Gaddafi] is no longer reasonable; he has been crazy for
a long time…Even the Jews did not do such things [as wantonly
killing Arabs]. ” –Al-Jazeera,
February 2011
I order a fatwa to the officers and soldiers who can kill Muammar
Al-Gadhafi: Whoever among them can fire a bullet at him …
should do it. ” –Al-Jazeera,
February 2011
On The Holocaust
Throughout history, Allah has imposed upon the [Jews]
people who would punish them for their corruption. The last punishment
was carried out by Hitler. By means of all the things he did to
them - even though they exaggerated this issue - he managed to put
them in their place. This was divine punishment for them. ”Al-Jazeera,
January 2009
On The United States and the "West"
My message to the West, which collaborates with Zionism,
and especially to America, which acts like a god on Earth…
Nobody holds [America] accountable for the things it says, because
it is like a god in this world. … We say to the West, and
especially to America, that Allah will not let you support falsehood.
He will not let you support inequity against justice. ” –Al-Jazeera,
January 2009
All of the Americans in Iraq are combatants…one should fight
them, since the American civilians came to Iraq in order to serve
the occupation…the killing of Americans in Iraq is a [religious]
obligation so as to cause them to leave Iraq immediately. ”
– Al-Sharq
Al-Awsat, September 2004
On Arab Rulers in the Middle East
This is my message to our rulers: They should heed their
peoples when they make their decisions, or else history will sweep
them up with its broom. These rulers are desperate, powerless, and
incapable of doing anything.” – Al-Jazeera,
January 2009
Many of the existing governments now do not have any popular support;
they are governments that are hated by their peoples, and they govern
their countries by brute force, and martial and emergency laws rather
than governing through the consensus of the people.” –Al-Sharq
Al-Awsat, December 2010
On Starbucks
We have a Starbucks. They used to hang a sign on the doors
of their shops: 'We benefit our most important partner, which is
Israel, we help in the education of students in Israel and we help
build up the Israeli defense arsenal,' and so on…this Starbucks
is Zionist.” –Al-Jazeera,
January 2009
On The Egyptian Army
I salute the Egyptian army…It is inconceivable that
the Egyptian army, which waged 4 wars for the sake of Egypt and
Palestine, would betray its country or sacrifice its people for
the sake of a single person.” ––Egyptian
Channel 1, February 2011
Rest assured that you will be victorious… the Rafah border
crossing will be opened … this is what I demand from the Egyptian
army.”–Egyptian
Channel 1, February 2011
On September 11th
I was the first who condemned the crimes of Sept. 11,
even before it was clear to many that al-Qaida was behind the attacks.
There is certainly a difference if violence is used in a blind terrorist
act or if it is used in rebellion against a foreign occupying force.”
– Der
Spiegel, September 2005
It is clear that it is a crime to transform airplanes full of people
into rockets and use them to destroy buildings.” – Der
Spiegel, September 2005
On Salmon Rushdie
Rushdie disgraced the honor of the Prophet and his family
and defiled the values of Islam.” – Der
Spiegel, September 2005
On Homosexuality
There was a demonstration against me in London because
I spoke out against homosexuality. People seem to have forgotten
that it wasn't me who came up with this [anti-homosexual] mindset.
It's part of God's order spoken of by Moses and even mentioned by
Jesus.” – Der
Spiegel, September 2005
On Domestic Abuse
The man is the head of the house and of the family. He
is entitled to the obedience and cooperation of his wife …
If the husband senses that feelings of disobedience and rebelliousness
are rising against him in his wife … it is permissible for
him to beat her lightly with his hands. The
Lawful and Prohibited in Islam, 1997 (book)
On The Muslim Brotherhood
The [Muslim Brotherhood] have tried [Jihad], but [jihad]
has not been helpful, and we have not gained anything out of [jihad]
other than detention, suffering, and victimization.” – Der
Spiegel, September 2005
On His Personal Dream
I am one of the soldiers of Islam. I am a soldier of God
Almighty fighting with knowledge, work, and call for God. I wish
to conclude my life by martyrdom for the sake of God …. I
wish that God concludes my life with martyrdom, and that my martyrdom
be at the hand of a non-Muslim.” – Al-Sharq
Al-Awsat, December 2010
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