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September 1st, 2013

The Washington Declaration

For the Protection of Nations and Societies in the Face of Sectarian Violence

September 1st, 2013

This declaration was made on the occasion of the thirteenth annual conference of the Council of Shia Muslim Scholars of North America entitled “Sectarian Violence: Its Origins, Results & Solutions,” which was held on the twenty-forth of the month of Shawal, 1434 A.H. – the first of September of 2013 – in the capital city of Washington D.C. In attendance were a group of religious scholars, intellectuals, academics, leaders, the imams of centers, the presidents and chairs of religious, Islamic and community organizations  of diverse Islamic sects. In this conference, discussions were held surrounding a number of important issues including the dire situation of unrest, destruction, genocide, and refugees that is being witnessed around the world and more specifically in the countries of Muslim populations, all a result of political agendas in the garb of religion and sectarianism. The conference attendees agreed upon a number of issues, decisions and agreements which with the support of Allah Almighty will protect the sanctities and the freedoms of mankind, bring people together, improve the security and safeguard coexistence.

We, the undersigned, with the guidance of the holy verse, “And hold steadfastly to the rope of Allah collectively and do not be separated,” and taking heed of the advice of the holy Prophet, his holy household and noble companions to the pilgrims of the sanctified house of Allah who said,”…For your blood and wealth are sacred to you as is the sanctity of this day in this month in this land of yours,” as well as his other statement, “The believer is the brother of another believer, together they are like a strong building, one supports the other.” Therefore, based on our religious and ethical responsibilities towards our religion, communities and nations, we announce the following:

    1. All Muslims are one nation, even if the schools of thought are diverse. Such diversity is a source of intellectual enrichment and should not be the cause of accusations of disbelief, murder, and the desecration of sanctities. For the main reason for the manufacture and escalation of what has been come to be known as “sectarian violence” is not holding steadfastly to the rope of Allah Almighty through holding onto the rightful leaders and the pious and insightful religious scholars, but instead following those who misinterpret the holy Qur’an and leave the authentic (Saheeh) traditions of the honorable Sunnah, hence passing false verdicts.It is forbidden by Islam to use unethical and unjustified methods of negative propaganda in the name of religion or school of thought, such as name-calling which fuel sectarian discontent leading to the persecution of others through acts of terrorism which include violence, the desecration of their sanctities, murder, rape and looting. For all of this is forbidden in Islam according to the holy Qur’an and the Sunnah. Whoever does otherwise is guilty of inciting such atrocities.
    2. It is forbidden by Islam to support such acts financially, with weapons and with media coverage.
    3. It is forbidden to violate man’s rights, those things sanctified to him, and to indict others based on religious beliefs, sect, and thought. It is also forbidden to attack others by name-calling one Nasibi, or the other Rafidhi, or even Kafir, and so forth. For such judgments are Allah Almighty’s to make and no other. In Islam there is nothing more sanctified than life, family, and property. For Allah Almighty has graced mankind with dignity and has forbidden the slightest of offenses against it, both physically and emotionally.
    4. It is important to understand the role of religion in public life. The role of religious scholars is to spread knowledge, tolerance and brotherhood within society. This is the best method of creating a secure and peaceful coexistence within humanity. Religious scholars are expected to rise above the petty politics. Rather, they are expected to speak the truth, guide and admonish its politicians and workers. It is no one’s right, without exception, to make religion a servant to politics, personal agendas or the goals of its beneficiaries.
    5. It is important that Islamic organizations and centers be attentive to the youth by raising them and guiding them both religiously and intellectually to be pious, ethical, knowledgeable and moderate without negligence or excess. The youth must be shaped to love their countries, to coexist peacefully, to be tolerant of others by embracing an ethics of mutual respect and cooperation for the common good. This will ensure human brotherhood, which is not only in religion, but also in humanity. This in turn will safe-guard the nation, society and its future.
    6. Based on the necessity of cooperation, especially amongst the Muslim leaders and those in the position to make change because they are capable of bringing people together amicably, a supreme committee of leaders has been established for the purpose of providing advice, decision-making, and to take mutually-accepted stances to counter extremism or any situation that requires the reaction of religious scholars, and the clarification of their position towards the sanctities of Islam, Muslims and their interests. It has been agreed that the following organizations: I.S.N.A. (represented by Imam Sh. Mohammed Magid), I.M.A.M. (represented by Sayyid M. B. Kashmiri), The Fiqh Council of North America (represented by Dr. Shaykh Muzammil Siddiqi), Islamic Shia Ithna Ashari Jamaat of Toronto (represented by Sayyid Mohammed Rizvi), The Mufti of Washington D.C. (Shaykh Mohammed al-Hanouti), The al-Khoei Foundation (represented by Shaykh Fadhel al-Sahlani), and Zaytoona College (represented by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf will be members of this committee.
    7. This declaration will be sent to those religious scholars and intellectuals who are required to participate, but were unable to attend this conference, and would like to sign it because they would like the honor of contributing to the realization of its objectives. This declaration should be announcement to the public.

In closing, the conference attendees ask Allah Almighty to support them in their service to Islam and Muslims, to establish security and peace and to bless this milestone that serves as a message of peace, tolerance, and content for all Muslims. We ask that it becomes a spring-board to forging the required relationships between all and may the peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you.

Signatories

Sayyid M. Syeed

Sayyid M. Rizvi

Mohamed Magid

Muzammil H. Siddiqi

Sayyid M.B. Kashmiri

Ahmad Iravani (PhD)

Yahya Hendi

Mohamad A. El-Sheikh

Dr. Sayed Khalil Tabatabai

Nihad Awad

Muhsen al-Dhalimy

Salam al-Marayati

Saiyed Mehboob Mehdi

Sayid Abdelsattar al-Moussawi

Sayed Hassan Akhlaq Hussaini

Abbas Heirali

Kassem Baydoun

Syed Haider

Sayyid Ammar al-Mosawi

Muhammed al-Abdal Rasool

Adam Najem

Sheikh Saleh Seboweh

Abdul Jalilu Issah

Mohammed Falah al-Attar

Mohamed Halimi

Mouhamed Ali Essa

Mohammed Jafar

Saifudeen Waliallah

Yaseen al-Haddad

BahaaAldeen al-Khaqany

M. Ali Sadiqi

Basill al-Haddad

Shaykh Borair al-Badrawi

Sheikh Fawzi Mohammad

Sheikh Salman al-Abedy

Shaykh Rahim al-Saadi

Shaikh Muddassir Siddiqui

Sheikh Mohamad al-Halabi

Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi

Bassem al-Sheraa

S.M.R. Hejazi, Ph.D.

ISNA

I. Shia. I. Jamaat of Toronto

ISNA

Fiqh Council of America

IMAM

CSIME

CBB

Dar al-Noor

Imam Hussain Foundation

CAIR

Imam ICP

MPAC

Islamic Edu. Center

Afghan Islamic Comm. NOVA

al-Hoda

Zainabia IEC.

al-Waqf al-Shi’e

Writer

IQ Dept. of Planning

Iranian Islamic Center

Islamic Education Center

Islamic Media Center

al-Zahra Islamic Center

Wilayh.org

IJA, Miami

NW Shia Youth

Imam UA

NW Shia Youth

IMAM

al-Rasoul Center

al-Hoda Islamic Center

al-Zahrah Center

Fiqh Council of N. America

AICF

IHW

al-Zahra Center

ISRA Academy

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