Fatwas and endorsements
Following is the list of some of the many individuals and organizations who have issued fatwas and endorsements in relation to the Amman Message (as per official website listing):[1]
The Amman Message (Arabic: رسالة عمان[pronunciation?]) is a statement calling for tolerance and unity in the Muslim world that was issued on 9 November 2004 (27th of Ramadan 1425 AH) by King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of Jordan, and his advisor Sheikh Izz-Eddine Al-Khatib Al-Tamimiv. The message aims to "clarify to the modern world the true nature of Islam and the nature of true Islam," and to specify which actions do and do not represent the religion.[1]
A three-point ruling was issued by 200 Islamic scholars from over 50 countries, focusing on issues of defining who is a Muslim, excommunication from Islam (takfir), and principles related to delivering religious opinions (fatāwa).[2] The message receives substantial support from the royal family of Jordan and the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre, which has been set up for the purpose of its promotion. Through its website, the Amman Message is easily accessible in English and Arabic.
The Amman Message was delivered in Amman, Jordan, as a Ramadan sermon by Chief Justice Sheikh Iz-al-Din al-Tamimi in the presence of King Abdullah II and a number of Muslim scholars.[3] In a subsequent speech, King Abdullah invited 24 senior scholars from all legal schools to debate the following questions:
The next year, in July 2005, an Islamic convention brought together 200 Muslim scholars from over 50 countries who issued a three-point declaration (later known as 'Three Points of the Amman Message').[2] This declaration focused on:[4]
The declaration was created in the midst of global tensions relating to the War on Terror following the September 11 attacks, and in the wake of the Iraq War. Where the message is primarily constructed as an internal dialogue between Muslim scholars, it clearly addresses Western powers. Explaining why the message was issued, King Abdullah stated: "[W]e felt that the Islamic message of tolerance was being subjected to a fierce and unjust attack from some in the West who do not understand Islam's essence, and others who claim to be associated with Islam and hide behind Islam to commit irresponsible deeds."[7]
Following are conferences and declarations:[1]
Following is the list of some of the many individuals and organizations who have issued fatwas and endorsements in relation to the Amman Message (as per official website listing):[1]
According to a 2005 report issued by the International Crisis Group concerning the rise of Jihadi Islamism in the Middle East, the sermon "stressed the need to re-emphasise Islam's core values of compassion, mutual respect, tolerance, acceptance and freedom of religion."[8] Generally the Amman Message has been welcomed by Western leaders as a significant effort towards inter-religious dialogue in an epoch of particular global politico-religious complexity. It has been hailed as “one of the most important initiatives addressing the Christian West within the framework of civilisations"[1] during a period many worried would lead to a Clash of Civilisations, and has come to be seen as an international reference document.[9] [10]
Tony Blair, while Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, praised the Amman Message and the gathering of numerous Islamic scholars, commenting: "this was a clear message that Islam is not a monolithic faith, but one made up of a rich pattern of diversity, albeit all flowing from the same fount."[2]
To address the Western world has been identified as an important aim of the Amman message, and herewith to serve the more strategic political goals of the Jordanian Hashemite government and its regional partners. Several scholars have interpreted the declaration as an assertion from the Jordanian regime to reassure its international allies of its own moderate stance and to create a position of religious authority within a crowded international arena.[11][12][13]
Whereas the declaration is promoted as a "unanimous agreement by all Muslims everywhere,"[14]] observers have questioned the communicative process leading up to the agreement and its clarity of definitions, and have expressed concern over its tendency to create potential additional binary oppositions.[10][15] One scholar has pointed out that in spite of advancing "a more inclusive notion of an Islamic community, one also clarifies exclusion by erecting a boundary outside of which other groups will fall," adding that 'consensus' was reached through "tactical silences over and evasions of contentious issues."[10] A lack of explicit reference to -or signatories from- specific communities is mentioned, such as the Alawi, and an omittance of certain branches of other communities, such as the Isma'ili.[10] It has been observed that most scholars involved in the debate were those close to the Jordanian state.[citation needed]
The International Crisis Group report expressed the importance of the Amman Message within a context of increasing regional sectarian polarisation in the Middle East. However, it also mentions the likely limited impact of the message, which it assigns to its contents targeting mainly elites while lacking popular legitimacy.[8]
Further criticism has been expressed over the (lack of) actions or policies following the Amman declaration. Local Jordanian leaders have pointed to the limited impact of the Amman Message inside Jordan, manifested through the lack of engagement with the message by Jordanian municipalities, mosques and religious organisations.[11]
Suhail Nakhouda, editor-in-chief of the Amman-based magazine Islamica, stated that the Amman Message did little to effectively address ongoing problems within the country of Jordan: "The problem with the Amman Message is that it bears no relation to the situation on the ground. There is no water, no pavements; the economy is bad, and many young people are out of work. Peoples' lives, as well as the images they see, stay the same."[8] While some point to the religious legitimacy of the Hashemite royal family for its descent from the Islamic Prophet Muhammad,[16] Nakhouda states that King Abdullah's message is likely to be dampened by his lifestyle, which he claims is the subject of criticism.[8]
Despite the ecumenical nature of the Amman Message, a marked decline in Shia-Sunni relations as a result of increased sectarian conflict in such countries as Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Bahrain and Yemen has taken shape since the message was issued including armed conflict.[17] For some scholars, this has made declarations as the Amman Message all the more important.[18] Others have problematised what has been referred to as a declaration proliferation taking place post-9/11.[19]
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