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{{Quotefarm|date=March 2008}}
[[Image:Sevensocietywhite.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The sign of the Seven Society outside of Maury Hall]]
{{Infobox_Philosopher <!-- Philosopher Category -->
'''Secret societies''' have been a part of [[University of Virginia]] student life since the first class of students in 1825. While the number of societies peaked during the 75 year period between 1875 and 1950, there are still five societies ([[Seven Society]], [[Z Society]], [[IMP Society]], [[Eli Banana]], [[#T.I.L.K.A.|T.I.L.K.A.]]) active that are over 100 years old, and several newer societies (the P.U.M.P.K.I.N., Purple Shadows, 21 Society, and the Sons of Liberty). The earliest societies, Eli and Tilka, functioned as social clubs; the Sevens, IMPs, and Zs have built a record of philanthropy and contribution to the University; and the later societies have focused on recognition or disapprobation of positive or negative contributions to the University.
| region = Muslim scholar
| era = Modern era
| color = #B0C4DE
| image_name =
| image_caption =
| name = '''Yusuf al-Qaradawi'''
| birth = [[September 9]], [[1926]] (aged 81)
| death =
| school_tradition= [[Sunni Islam]]
| main_interests =
| influences = <small>[[Hassan al-Banna]]<small/>
| influenced = <small><br /><small/>
| notable_ideas =
}}


'''Yusuf al-Qaradawi''' ([[Arabic language|Arabic]]: يوسف القرضاوي ''Yūsuf al-Qaraḍāwiy''), (born [[September 9]], [[1926]]) is an [[Egyptians|Egyptian]] [[Muslim]] [[List of Muslim scholars|scholar]] and preacher best known for his popular [[al Jazeera]] program, ''ash-Shariah wal-Hayat'' ("[[Shariah]] and Life"), and [[Islamonline.net|IslamOnline]] (a website that he helped to found in [[1997]]), where he offers opinions and religious edicts ("[[fatwa]]") based on his interpretation of the [[Qur'an]]. He has also published some fifty books, including ''[[The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam]]'' and ''Islam: The Future Civilization''.
==Historical context==
The earliest secret society at the University was probably the no-longer-secret [[Jefferson Literary and Debating Society]], which at its 1825 founding was secret, with expulsion the penalty to any member who exposed the society's secrets.<ref name="patton-jeff">Patton (1906), 235.</ref>. Student society activity for the first period of the University appears to have been confined to similar literary societies, including the Patrick Henry Society, Philomathean Society, Parthenon Society, Columbian, and Washington Society, which were not secret societies; only the last is still active.<ref name="patton-other">Patton (1906), 237.</ref>


Although al-Qaradawi has long had one of the more prominent roles within the thought leadership of the [[Muslim Brotherhood]]<ref>{{cite web
At the same time, Greek organizations that were purely social in function (today's fraternities) began to play a role in student life. In 1853, students petitioned the Faculty to set up a "secret" colony of Delta Kappa Epsilon. The first request was rejected by the Faculty, coming as it did on the heels of years of riotous behavior; according to University historian [[Philip Alexander Bruce]], the faculty feared "orderly spirit of the student body acting as a whole or in segments, whether organized into secret fraternities or into Calathumpian bands"; in another session or two, the chapter became established, and other Greek fraternities followed.<ref name="bruce-dke">Bruce, III:167.</ref> It can be said generally about the early UVA fraternities that the only "secret" aspect of them was their operation and meeting location; the membership was not kept secret.
| title = The Cartoon Jihad: The Muslim Brotherhood's project for dominating the West
| author = Olivier Guitta
| date= February 20, 2006
| pages = Volume 11, Issue 22
| url = http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/006/704xewyj.asp
| publisher = [[The Weekly Standard]]
}}</ref>, he has twice turned down offers for the official directorship role of the organization.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.cesnur.org/2004/qaradawi.htm
| title = Al-Qaradawi Turns Down Offer to Assume Leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood
| date= January 12, 2004
| publisher = [[al-Jazeera]]
}}</ref> Among many Muslims, he is considered a moderate conservative, who seeks to explain and adapt the ideals of the Islamic lifestyle with those of modern society {{Fact|date=June 2008}}. Others consider him as a staunch [[Islamist]], who rejects [[Human rights|universal human rights]] and some of the fundamentals of [[democracy]], and note his endorsement of Palestinian [[suicide bombing]] attacks against [[Israel]]i civilian targets.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}


==Biography==
The growth of student organizations was interrupted by the [[United States Civil War|Civil War]], but resumed thereafter with the establishment of additional fraternities. A few secret societies are recorded during the years 1865 - 1878, of whom the only one of any note is the Dedils, most notable for being shut down by the Faculty after their minutes were found where they had been dropped by the drunken president of the organization.<ref name="bruce-dedils">Bruce, IV:95-96.</ref>
[[Image:Yusuf al-Qaradawi 02.gif|right]]
Al-Qaradawi was born in [[Egypt]]. Following his father's death, the two year old Qaradawi was raised by his uncle. His family urged him to either run a grocery store or to become a carpenter. Instead, he read and memorized the entire Qur'an by the time he was nine years old. Qaradawi was a follower of [[Hasan al-Banna]] during his youth and was imprisoned first under the monarchy in 1949, then three times after the publication of ''Tyrant and the Scholar''. He attended the [[Al-Azhar Theological Seminary]] before moving to [[Qatar]].


[[Image:Yusuf al-Qaradawi.jpg|left]]
[[Image:Zsocietyblack.jpg|thumb|left|300px|The sign of the Z society in black outside the steps to Old Cabel Hall]]
During his time at al-Azhar, al-Qaradawi oversaw the Muslim Brotherhood's (Wafd-government-approved) paramilitary training camp there, alongside fellow Muslim Brothers Ahmed al-'Asal and Abdallah al-'Aqil. The camp, along with others like it at other Egyptian universities, taught university students how to use weapons and explosives, and drilled them in a doctrine of religious war against the occupying British and Israelis.<ref>Saddiq, 'Ali, Al-Ikhwan al-Muslimun Bayn Irahab Faruq wa Abd al-Nasser (The Muslim Brothers between the Terror of Faruq and Abd al-Nasser, Dar al-Itisam, Cairo, 1987, pp.56-59</ref>
The [[Eli Banana]] Society, established in 1878, represented a new kind of secret society at the university. The new "ribbon society" tended to operate as an upperclass society, drew its members from the "upper class", and sought to exercise control of other student groups such as the Jefferson Society. Other ribbon societies included T.I.L.K.A., the Lotus Society, the O.W.L. (a semi-secret society drawing its membership from the newspaper, magazine, and yearbook staff), the Zeta (later the [[Z Society]]), and O.N.E.<ref name="bruce-ribbon">Bruce, IV:99-100.</ref>


He worked in the Egyptian Ministry of Religious Endowments, was the Dean of the Islamic Department at the Faculties of Shariah and Education in [[Qatar]], and served as chairman of the Islamic Scientific Councils of Algerian Universities and Institutions.
The suppression of Eli Banana in 1894 and of the Hot Feet/IMP Society in 1908 coincided with the rise of academic societies, including the semi-secret [[Raven Society]], whose members are initiated in a secret ceremony but is otherwise public. At around the same time, the [[Seven Society]], a group so secret that its members are not made known until their death, appeared. The Seven Society established a new model for secret society operation on Grounds. While the ribbon societies were observed to draw their membership from the fraternities, and the IMPs and Zs from the ribbon societies,<ref name="hierarchy">{{cite book |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=w94SAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA209&lpg=PA209&dq=tilka+%22eli+banana%22+%22peter+magill%22&source=web&ots=caZ27T3PfT&sig=dEUZDPoFu-k2f-X-I9DjjHw4M9E&hl=en |title=The Shield: Official Publication of the Theta Delta Chi Fraternity |pages=209 |year=1897 |editor=Theta Delta Chi}}</ref> the Seven Society's extreme secrecy meant that the society had no apparent formal connections to the social secret societies. At the same time, its exclusive focus on philanthropy meant that, unlike the Elis and Hot Feet, it functioned as an important contributor to the aims of the University.<ref name="domagal">{{cite journal |url=http://www.uvm.edu/~vtconn/?Page=v23/domagal.html |last=Domagal |first=Jennifer |title=Keeping Secrets: Student Secret Societies in Historical Context |journal=The Vermont Connection |date=2002 |volume=23 |pages=62-70 }}</ref> The other societies founded after 1905 likewise define themselves in relation to supporting the University, whether through recognizing notable or notorious individuals (P.U.M.P.K.I.N.s, 21 Society, Sons of Liberty) or upholding University traditions (Purple Shadows).


He was a longtime member of the [[Muslim Brotherhood]], and has turned down offers to be the Brotherhood's leader various times. Qaradawi is the head of the [[European Council for Fatwa and Research]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3874893.stm BBC World News Profile of Sheikh Yusuf Qaradawi]</ref><ref>[http://www.memritv.org/Transcript.asp?P1=1052 "Our War with the Jews Is in the Name of Islam"]: partial transcript of Qatari TV show, Feb. 25, 2006, translated by [[MEMRI]]</ref><ref>[http://www.memritv.org/Transcript.asp?P1=1354 Eulogizes Saddam Hussein and Declares: In Recent Years, Saddam Was a Changed Man, Did Charitable Work and Helped People Build Mosques]</ref><ref>[http://www.memritv.org/Transcript.asp?P1=1366 Calls Upon Iraqi Kurds to Join Sunni Fight against Shiites Once Mediation Fails]</ref><ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20031004013624/http://www.islamonline.net/fatwa/english/FatwaDisplay.asp?hFatwaID=49276 Original version of fatwa later edited, stating that apostates deserve to be killed]</ref><ref>[http://www.islam-online.net Islam-Online] (English)</ref><ref>[http://www.qaradawi.net Al-Qaradawi's Homepage] (Arabic)</ref><ref>[http://www.qaradawi.info Truth about Qaradawi] (Arabic)</ref><ref>[http://islamicweb.com/beliefs/misguided/qaradawi.htm Some Mistakes of Yusuf al-Qaradawi]</ref><ref>[http://www.londoncommunitycoalition.org/qaradawi-coalitiondocument.pdf Mayor Livingstone and Sheikh Qaradawi]</ref><ref>[http://www.islamonline.net Fatwas at Islam Online]</ref><ref>[http://www.muslimuzbekistan.com/eng/ennews/2001/09/ennews18092001_1.html 9/11 Fatwa]</ref><ref>[http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503543874 Fatwa on boycott of American and Israeli products]</ref><ref name="www_islamonline_net14">{{cite web | url = http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1119503545220&pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaEAskTheScholar | title = islamonline.net | accessdate = 2007-06-18 | publisher = }}</ref><ref>
==T.I.L.K.A.==
[http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A5496-2003Feb13&notFound=true Biography and Moderate Vision]</ref><ref>[http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/A27D1C86-9761-404D-BB04-A55CB58305EC.htm Qaradawi on Arab Reform: Interview with Al Jazeera]</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3880675.stm BBC Story on Qaradawi's Visit to London]</ref><ref>[http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2004-07/10/article02.shtml Islamonline's Story of Qaradawi's Visit to London]</ref><ref>[http://www.theherald.co.uk/politics/19673.html The Herald Islamic moderate or rabble-rouser?]</ref><ref>[http://www.geocities.com/martinkramerorg/2002_11_13.htm Hour of Power with an Islamist Superstar] by [[Martin Kramer]]</ref><ref>[http://www.memritv.org/search.asp?ACT=S9&P1=1052# Speech on MEMRI TV]</ref><ref>[http://scolas.skyrock.com/article_1142442792.html Yusuf al-Qaradawi]</ref>
The '''T.I.L.K.A. Society''', commonly called Tilka, was founded in 1889 as a ribbon society after the model of Eli Banana. The name of the society is said to reference "five mystical words," though these are unknown.<ref name="dabney-tilka">Dabney, 37-38.</ref> The society rose in prominence after the Elis were suppressed in the late 1890s, capturing most of the student offices.<ref name="bruce-tilka">Bruce, IV:99, 339-340.</ref>


==Views==
Like Eli Banana, the Tilkas combined a focus on student leadership with a social function. Dabney notes that from the 1920s to the 1950s both organizations regularly sponsored formal dances at the university.<ref name="dabney-dances">Dabney, 89-90, 305.</ref> The organizations were sufficiently integrated into student life by the late 1940s that a [[Virginia Glee Club]] album of University songs included the Tilka anthem ("Come Fill Your Glasses Up for T.I.L.K.A.").<ref name="wapo 22-apr-1951">{{citation
===Sectarian views===
|title=Virginia U. Band and Glee Club Put Songs 'On the Record' |date=1951-04-22 |year=1951 |newspaper=Washington Post |pages=L7 |accessdate=2008-01-27}}</ref>
Qaradawi has been an avid caller to what he calls "Islamic [[Sufism]]", praising those who practice it as pious.<ref>[http://www.sunnah.org/tasawwuf/scholr39.htm On Tassawuf Shaykh Yusuf al-Qaradawi]</ref>. He has also been a staunch defender of the [[Ashari]] school of belief within Islam, going so far as to claim that the whole Muslim world follows this school as well as all Muslim religious schools in the world.<ref>[http://www.youngmuslims.ca/biographies/display.asp?ID=3 Al Ghazaly Man of Da'wah]</ref>


Qaradawi has also described [[Shi'ites]] as liars, "heretics" <ref>[http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2008/916/eg5.htm]</ref> and "treacherous" <ref>[http://www.adl.org/NR/exeres/788C5421-70E3-4E4D-BFF4-9BE14E4A2E58,DB7611A2-02CD-43AF-8147-649E26813571,frameless.htm]</ref>. In response, the Iranian Press Agency has described Qaradawi as "a spokesman for “international Freemasonry and Jewish rabbis".
Notable members of T.I.L.K.A. included founding member and UVA Law professor Raleigh C. Minor,<ref name="dabney-minor">Dabney, 123.</ref> past UVA football quarterback and alumni association president Gilbert J. Sullivan;<ref name="dabney-gilly">Dabney, 398.</ref> University president [[Frank Hereford (UVa)|Frank Hereford]]<ref name="dabney-hereford">Dabney, 595.</ref>


===Suicide bombings===
The Tilkas are still active at UVA; a 2004 article in the [[Cavalier Daily]] describes their "tapping" ceremony.<ref name="cd-tilka">{{cite news |url=http://www.cavalierdaily.com/news/2004/nov/23/ribbons-and-trashcans/ |title=Ribbons and Trashcans |work=[[Cavalier Daily]] |last=Meeks |first=Brett |date=2004-11-23}}</ref>
Qaradawi strongly supports [[Palestinian]] attacks on Israeli targets, including against civilians, believing they are legitimate form of resistance. Qaradawi claims that hundreds of other Islamic scholars are of the same opinion.


Defending bombings against off duty soldiers Qaradawi told [[BBC]] Newsnight that:
==Purple Shadows==
* "An Israeli woman is not like women in our societies, because she is a soldier."
The '''Society of the Purple Shadows''', named after a line from the poem "The Honor Men" that refers to the purple shadows of [[The Lawn]],<ref>{{citation |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=HKBJAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA98&dq=%22the+honor+men%22+hay&client=firefox-a
* "I consider this type of martyrdom operation as an evidence of God's justice."
|last=Hay, Jr. |first=James |contribution=The Honor Men |editor-last= Patton |editor-first=John S. |editor2-last=Doswell |editor2-first=Sallie J. |editor3-last=Crenshaw |editor3-first=Lewis D. |title=Jefferson's University: Glimpses of the Past and Present of the University of Virginia |publisher=The Michie Company |location=[[Charlottesville, VA]] |year=1915 |pages=98}}</ref> was established in 1963.<ref name="dabney-shadows">Dabney, 501.</ref> The group's stated mission is "to contribute to the betterment of the University and to safeguard vigilantly the University traditions."<ref name=cd-purple">{{cite news |url=http://scripta.lib.virginia.edu/cgi-textwg/cavdaily.pl?str=purple%20shadows&offset=9700607&fileid=19680911 |title=Noted For Eccentricity, Mysteriousness: Societies Beneficial to University |last=Steer |first=Jay |work=[[Cavalier Daily]] |date=1968-09-11}}</ref> The group is notable for appearing in public in purple hooded robes that have drawn comparison to [[Ku Klux Klan]] attire.<ref name="cd-robes">{{cite news |url=http://www.cavalierdaily.com/news/2007/apr/23/one-horned-purple-trust-eaters/ |title=One-Horned Purple Trust Eaters |work=Cavalier Daily |date=2007-04-23 |accessdate=2008-05-13}}</ref>
* "Allah Almighty is just; through his infinite wisdom he has given the weak a weapon the strong do not have and that is their ability to turn their bodies into bombs as Palestinians do". <ref name="news_bbc_co_uk7">{{cite web | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3874893.stm | title = news.bbc.co.uk | accessdate = 2007-06-18 | publisher = }}</ref>


At the press conference held by the organizations sponsoring Qaradawi's visit to [[London]], Qaradawi reiterated his view that [[Suicide attack]]s are a justified from of resistance to Israeli occupation. In the past, Qaradawi has justified such terrorist actions on the basis that all Israel civilians are potential soldiers since Israel is a "[[militarism|militarized society]]."
Past activities of the Purple Shadows have included anonymous political statements. In the 1970-1971 term, the society gave an ambiguous welcome to Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Annette Gibbs, whose responsibilities included the advising female undergraduate students at the newly coeducational university, by tying the doors to her office shut with a purple ribbon.<ref name="cd-gibbs">{{cite news |url=http://scripta.lib.virginia.edu/cgi-textwg/cavdaily.pl?str=purple%20shadows&offset=45482161&fileid=19711026
|title=Whatever Happened To The Dean Of Women? |work=[[Cavalier Daily]] |accessdate=2008-05-13 |last=Kyle |first=Patti |date=1971-10-26}}</ref> In 1982, following the decision of Dean of Students Robert Canevari to ban the traditional Easters celebration, the group left a letter and a dagger expressing their displeasure. The Dean filed charges against the group with the University Judiciary Committee, which were never answered.<ref name="cd-canevari">{{cite news |url=http://www.cavalierdaily.com/news/2007/oct/29/illuminating-the-shadows/ |title=Illuminating the Shadows |work=[[Cavalier Daily]] |last=Lee |first=Patrick |date=2007-10-29}}</ref>


Due to this, Qaradawi has been accused by many Western countries and Israel of supporting [[terrorism]].
The principal contribution made by the Purple Shadows today is ongoing support of the honor system. The Shadows leave notecards for first year students during Convocation to formally welcome them to the Honor System; present the James Hay Jr. award for contributions to the honor system; and send letters in defense of the honor system when the existing single sanction system is challenged.<ref name="cd-shadows">{{cite news |url=http://www.cavalierdaily.com/features/TheFuture/index.aspx?page=future_tradition |title=Traditional Changes |last=Breece |first=Jon |work=Cavalier Daily |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071016195005/http://cavalierdaily.com/features/TheFuture/index.aspx?page=future_tradition |archivedate=2007-10-16 |date=2004}}</ref> The group has taken other stands recently, including encouraging students to end the practice of chanting "not gay" when [[The Good Old Song]] is sung.<ref name="cd-notgay"> {{cite web |url=http://www.cavalierdaily.com/letters.asp?pid=1645 |title=People Power (letter) |archiveurl=http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:xqkNPvh92okJ:www.cavalierdaily.com/letters.asp%3Fpid%3D1645+site:www.cavalierdaily.com+%22cavalier+daily%22+%22people+power%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=7&gl=us&client=safari |archivedate=2008-04-19|last=Martinez |first=Patrick |work=[[Cavalier Daily]] |date=2007-11-05}}</ref>


However, he is opposed to attacks outside of the Palestinian territories and on other than Israeli targets. For example, on March 20, 2005, Qaradawi issued a condemnation of a car-bombing that had occurred in Doha, Qatar the day before. One Briton, Jon Adams was killed. Qaradawi issued a statement<ref name="www_islam_online_net8">{{cite web | url = http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2005-03/20/article04.shtml | title = Islam-online.net | accessdate = 2007-06-18 | publisher = }}</ref> that said "Such crimes are committed by insane persons who have no religious affiliation and play well into the hands of the enemies." and "I urge all Qataris to stand united in facing such an epidemic and uproot it to nip the infection in the bud, otherwise it will spread like wildfire. I, in the name of all scholars in Qatar, denounce such a horrendous crime and pray that it would be the last and implore God to protect this secure country.".
==P.U.M.P.K.I.N. Society==
The '''P.U.M.P.K.I.N. Society''' appeared sometime prior to 1967, when the earliest known dated citation of the group was published in the [[Cavalier Daily]].; its purpose is to recognize "meritorious service" to UVA.<ref name="pumpkin-cd-1967">{{cite news |url=http://scripta.lib.virginia.edu/cgi-textwg/cavdaily.pl?str=pumpkin&offset=2416843&fileid=19671101 |title=Pumpkins Planted |work=[[Cavalier Daily]] |date=1967-11-01 }}</ref> The earliest account of the group takes a humorous tone, claiming a connection to a 14th century "Societe de la Citrouillie" and establishing the society's secret "mystic" motto, "When the Corn's in the bin, Gourds are on the vine." The group distributes actual pumpkins, along with letters of commendation, annually.<ref name="pumpkin-cd">{{cite news |url=http://scripta.lib.virginia.edu/cgi-textwg/cavdaily.pl?str=pumpkin&offset=35976732&fileid=19701030 |title=P.U.M.P.K.I.N.'s To Make Yearly Roll |work=[[Cavalier Daily]] |date=1970-10-30}}</ref> The society historically also presented a rotten gourd to an individual whom it felt deserving of criticism, but this practice was ended in 2000.<ref name="pumpkin-nogourd">{{cite web
|url=http://www.cavalierdaily.com/news/2000/nov/01/lead-editorial20061/ |title=P.U.M.P.K.I.N. Power |work=[[Cavalier Daily]] |date=2000-11-01}}</ref>
[[Image:IMPsecretsociety.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The sign of the IMP Society on a wall of Rouss Hall]]


See also his comments here:<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1604025,00.html Interview with Britain's Guardian newspaper]</ref>.
==Recent societies==
Other secret societies have appeared on Grounds in the last ten years, including the 21 Society and the Sons of Liberty. The '''21 Society''' announced its founding on June 21, 1999, stating that it intended to promote "student self-governance and the preservation of Mr. Jefferson's ideals."<ref name="21-founding">{{cite news |url=http://www.cavalierdaily.com/CVArticle.asp?ID=165&pid=442 |title=21 Society formed |work=[[Cavalier Daily]] |date=1999-07-08 |archiveurl=http://74.125.45.104/search?q=cache:T_z_s9uG0nYJ:www.cavalierdaily.com/CVArticle.asp%3FID%3D165%26pid%3D442+%2221+society+formed%22+site:cavalierdaily.com&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us&client=firefox-a |archivedate=2008-08-13}}</ref> The society has subsequently contributed to the University's Center for Politics.<ref name="21-donation">{{cite news |url=http://www.cavalierdaily.com/CVArticle.asp?ID=22262&pid=1254 |title=An inspired gift |work=[[Cavalier Daily]] |archiveurl=http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:PLDqQY7uCJAJ:www.cavalierdaily.com/letters.asp%3Fpid%3D1254+site:www.cavalierdaily.com+%22cavalier+daily%22+%22inspired+gift%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=us&client=safari |archivedate=2008-07-09 |date=2005-02-14}}</ref>


===Opinion on the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict===
The '''Sons of Liberty''' were founded sometime before 2008, and follow the model of the P.U.M.P.K.I.N. Society by singling out individuals in the University community for commendation or disapprobation. In 2008, they were criticized for a prank of a University grad student that included pouring tea down his chimney; the same year the group immersed the podium of the Jefferson Society in a trash can full of tea and left a "tarred and feathered" red jacket with a letter on the podium.<ref name="sol">{{cite news|url=http://www.cavalierdaily.com/news/2008/apr/17/sons-of-liberty-will-issue-apologies-for-recent-pr/|title=Sons of Liberty will issue apologies for recent prank|last=Hoffman|first=Laura|date=2008-04-17|work=[[Cavalier Daily]]|accessdate=2008-04-17}}</ref> The group appears to have no connection to the student-organized company of volunteer soldiers, also called the Sons of Liberty, who conducted training drills on the Lawn in 1861 after the outbreak of the Civil War.<ref name="sol-dabney">Dabney, 25.</ref>
In response to Muslim scholar 'Abdullaah ibn Jibreen's fatwa declaring that it was forbidden for Muslims to support or pray for the terrorist group [[Hezbollah]] because they are [[Shia]], Qaradawi issued a contrary fatwa, stating that it was mandatory for all Muslims to support Hezbollah in its fight against Israel, claiming that "Shias agree with the Sunnis in the main principles of Islam while the differences are only over the branches." In this fatwa, he also called upon the Sunnis and Shia of [[Iraq]] to end the civil war.<ref>[http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=99984&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16 Qaradawi urges Muslims to support Hezbollah]. Gulf Times</ref>


===Boycott fatwa===
The '''Rotunda Burning Society''' is a secret organization, presumably founded sometime after 1974 and before 1993,<ref name="rbs-web">{{cite web |url=http://www.ashep.com/archive/loQtus/unab3.html |title=Quotes III |work=loQtus |last=Fuchs |first=Michael |date=1993-10 |accessdate=2008-05-16}}</ref><ref name="rbs-date">Dates for the Rotunda Burning Society: the organization did not mention a merit in Dabney's ''Mr. Jefferson's University'', covering the University's history to 1974, but is cited in the form of a quotation from its "assistant fire marshall" in the Fuchs source from 1993.</ref> that commemorates the 1895 burning of the [[The Rotunda (University of Virginia)|Rotunda]] by burning an effigy of the building each year at the base of the south steps.<ref name="rbs-cd">{{cite news |url=http://www.cavalierdaily.com/news/2003/sep/04/a-mark-to-remember/ |title=A Mark to Remember |work=[[Cavalier Daily]] |date=2003-09-04 |last=Cooper |first=Patricia }}</ref>
According to IslamOnline, Qaradawi released a fatwa on April 14 2004 stating boycott of American and Israeli products was an obligation for all who are able.<ref name="www_islamonline_net9">{{cite web | url = http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503543874 | title = islamonline.net | accessdate = 2007-06-18 | publisher = }}</ref><ref name="www_islamonline_net14" />The fatwa reads in part :


<blockquote> "If people ask in the name of religion we must help them. The vehicle of this support is a complete boycott of the enemies' goods. Each riyal, dirham …etc. used to buy their goods eventually becomes bullets to be fired at the hearts of brothers and children in Palestine. For this reason, it is an obligation not to help them (the enemies of Islam) by buying their goods. To buy their goods is to support tyranny, oppression and aggression. Buying goods from them will strengthen them; our duty is to make them as weak as we can. Our obligation is to strengthen our resisting brothers in the Sacred Land as much as we can. If we cannot strengthen the brothers, we have a duty to make the enemy weak. If their weakness cannot be achieved except by boycott, we must boycott them. <br />
==List of societies==
<br /> American goods, exactly like "Israeli" goods, are forbidden. It is also forbidden to advertise these goods. America today is a second Israel. It totally supports the Zionist entity. The usurper could not do this without the support of America. "Israel's" unjustified destruction and vandalism of everything has been using American money, American weapons, and the American veto. America has done this for decades without suffering the consequences of any punishment or protests about their oppressive and prejudiced position from the Islamic world."</blockquote>
The following is a list of some of the known secret societies at the [[University of Virginia]]. Much of the information has been paraphrased from information compiled by University Guide Service alumni and former University Guide Service historian Charles Irons.


===Pokemon fatwa===
This list includes societies that are well attested by reliable sources. It excludes some societies, such as the [[Raven Society]], that have public membership and therefore are not secret societies by definition.
In 2001, [[Saudi Arabia]] banned the game of [[Pokémon]] as a Zionist plot; Qaradawi issued a fatwa endorsing this in December 2003, saying that Pokemon not only uses Jewish and [[Masonry|Masonic]] symbols, but teaches evolution. Not only do Pokemon evolve, they do so "in battles where the survivors are those who adapt better to the environment; another of Darwin's dogmas." In addition, both depiction of imaginary animals and card-games are contrary to the Koran. Qaradawi also notes that some Japanese expressions squeaked and gibbered by Pokemon may mean "I am a Jew" and "Become a Jew," but admits the matter is controversial and he isn't certain.<ref>>[http://archives.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/meast/03/26/saudi.pokemon/ Saudi bans Pokemon]. ''[[March 26]], [[2001]], [[CNN]].com''. Retrieved on [[July 22]], [[2007]]; [[Umberto Eco]], ''Turning Back the Clock'', as tr. by Alastair McEwen, Harcourt Books, 2007, pp 56-7, citing Massimo Introvigne: "Pokémon: a Judeo-Masonic Plot." ''Il Giornale'' [[September 17]], [[2004]]. Quote, and title of article, in McEwen's translation.</ref>


===Mecca Time===
{| class="sortable prettytable"
In April 2008, at a conference in [[Qatar]] titled "Mecca: the Center of the Earth, Theory and Practice", Qaradawi advocated the implementation of [[Mecca Time]] to replace the [[Greenwich Meridian]] as the basis of the world [[time zone]] system.<ref name="BBC">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7359258.stm BBC:Muslim call to adopt Mecca time]</ref>
|-

!Name!!Year Established!!Type!!Status
==Controversy and Criticism==
|-
===Criticism from conservative Muslims===
|[[Jefferson Society]]
Qaradawi urged the Taliban to reconsider its decision to tear down the [[Buddha statues]] in [[Afghanistan]] in 2001. He was quickly criticized for supporting "idol worship". Upon meeting with leaders from the Taliban, Qaradawi reversed his position and praised the act of the destruction of the statues. <ref name="www_themodernreligion_com3">{{cite web | url = http://www.themodernreligion.com/jihad/afghan/qaradawi-latest.html | title = themodernreligion.com | accessdate = 2007-06-18 | publisher = }}</ref>
|1825

|No longer secret
The late [[Muhammad Naasiruddeen al-Albaanee]] disagreed with Qaradawi's stance that [[photography]] and pictures were lawful, even authoring a book in response to those positions. {{Fact|date=December 2007}}
|Active

|-
Qaradawi also came under heavy criticism for a comment during a sermon in which he stated, regarding [[Benjamin Netanyahu]]'s victory as the [[Prime Minister of Israel]] by a large margin, that "Allah himself would not achieve this." Fellow Muslim scholar [[Muqbil bin Haadi al-Waadi'ee]] also authored a book criticizing Qaradawi titled ''Silencing the Hounding Dog'' in which he questioned this statement as possible disbelief.<ref>Muqbil bin Haadi al-Waadi'ee, Silencing the Hounding Dog, pg. 110-112</ref> [[Muhammad ibn al Uthaymeen]] reacted similarly when the statement was played for him from an audio tape, stating that it was obligatory for Qaradawi to repent from the statement or otherwise he should be "killed as an apostate."<ref>Muqbil bin Haadi al-Waadi'ee, Silencing the Hounding Dog, pg. 199</ref>
|[[Philomathean Society]]<ref name="philomathean">Patton (1906), 237.</ref>

|?
===Democratic perspective===
|Semisecret
Qaradawi has at times spoken in favor of democracy in the Muslim world,<ref>[http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/news/news.php?article=11311 Muslim world needs democracy, says Qaradawi] - The Muslim News - Saturday, July 8, 2006</ref> speaking of a need for reform of political climates in the Middle East specifically.<ref>[http://english.aljazeera.net/English/archive/archive?ArchiveId=3779 Reform according to Islam]. [http://english.aljazeera.net Al Jazeera English]</ref> However, his statements and positions have been criticized as essentially incompatible with democracy, or even contrary to democracy.{{facts|date=December 2007|date=December 2007}}
|Inactive

|-
===Allegations of Anti-Semitism===
|[[Eli Banana]]<ref name="bruce">Bruce, IV:97-99, 338.</ref>
Qaradawi is currently president of the Dublin-based [[European Council for Fatwa and Research]]. In August 2005, the [[Wall Street Journal]] reported that the Council had used the infamous [[anti-Semitic]] forgery known as the [[Protocols of the Elders of Zion]] in its theological deliberations.<ref>http://www.zmo.de/pressekit/material/Wall_Street_BG.pdf</ref>
|1878

|Semisecret
===Danish cartoon controversy===
|Active
Qaradawi called for a "Day of Anger" over the [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|cartoons]],<ref> [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/02/03/wcart03.xml Daily Telegraph]</ref> but condemned violent actions in response to them.<ref> [http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2006-02/06/article01.shtml Qaradawi Condemns Violent Cartoon Protests]. IslamOnline.net</ref>
|-

|[[#T.I.L.K.A.|T.I.L.K.A.]]
===Homosexuality===
|1889
On June 5 2006, on the Al Jazeera "Sharia and Life" programme he regularly features on, al-Qaradawi reiterated orthodox views on [[homosexuality]]. <ref name="www_aljazeera_net4">{{cite web | url = http://www.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/E3A7EEFB-4016-485A-8D6A-7AA9FD75CBD9.htm | title = aljazeera.net | accessdate = 2007-06-18 | publisher = }}</ref> When asked about the punishment for people who "practise liwaat ([[sodomy]]) or sihaaq ([[lesbian]] activity)", al-Qaradawi replied: "The same punishment as any sexual pervert - the same as the fornicator." ([[Middle East Media Research Institute|MEMRI]] translation) <ref name="www_memritv_org5">{{cite web | url = http://www.memritv.org/search.asp?ACT=S9&P1=1170# | title = memritv.org | accessdate = 2007-06-18 | publisher = }}</ref>
|Semisecret

|Active
===Terrorism===
|-
After the September 11 attacks, Qaradawi, urging Muslims to donate blood for the victims of the attacks, stated,<ref>[http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2001-09/13/article25.shtml Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi Condemns Attacks Against Civilians: Forbidden in Islam]</ref>
|[[Z Society]]

|1892
: "Islam, the religion of tolerance, holds the human soul in high esteem, and considers the attack against innocent human beings a grave sin, this is backed by the Qur'anic verse which reads:
|Semisecret

|Active
::Who so ever kills a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he has killed all mankind, and who so ever saves the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind," (Al-Ma'dah:32).
|-

|[[IMP Society]] (Hot Feet)
:"The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is reported to have said, 'A believer remains within the scope of his religion as long as he doesn't kill another person illegally'"
|1902

|Semisecret
:"Islam never allows a Muslim to kill the innocent and the helpless." He denies that Palestinian suicide bombing attacks constitute terrorism, claiming that "when Palestinians face such unjust aggression, they tend to stem bloodletting and destruction and not to claim the lives of innocent civilians", but qualifies that with "I do agree with those who do not allow such martyr operations to be carried out outside the Palestinian territories."
|Active

|-
In modern times, [[Yousef al-Qaradhawi]] has suggested the legitimate use of [[suicide bombings]] against enemy combatants if the defending combatants had no other means of self-defense.<ref>{{cite news |first=Magdi |last=Abdelhadi |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Controversial preacher with 'star status' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3874893.stm |work= |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=[[July 7]], [[2004]] |accessdate=2007-05-13 }} </ref> In the context of [[Israeli-Palestinian conflict]], al-Qaradhawi has argued that killing innocent Muslims, being used as [[human shield]]s by the enemy, is permissible. He considers the sacrifice of a few Muslims, in order to save the entire Muslim community, as a legitimate tactic.<ref>[[Yousef al-Qaradhawi]], "Al-Qaradhawi Speaks in Favor of Suicide Operations at an Islamic Conference in Sweden," Middle East Media Research Institute, July 24, 2003. </ref>
|[[Seven Society]]<ref name="dabney-seven-founding">Dabney, 305-306.</ref>

|1905
===Entry into western countries===
|Secret
Qaradawi has been banned from entering the [[United States|United States of America]] since 1999 and the [[United Kingdom]] since 2008,<ref name='BBC 2008-02-07'>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Muslim cleric not allowed into UK | date=[[2008-02-07]] | publisher= | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7232398.stm | work =BBC News | pages = | accessdate = 2008-02-08 | language = }}</ref> though he visited London in 2004.<ref name="miausma">[http://ctc.usma.edu/atlas/Atlas-ResearchCompendium.pdf Militant Ideology Atlas], Combating Terrorism Center, West Point</ref> In July 2003 he visited [[Stockholm]], [[Sweden]], for a conference at the [[Stockholm Mosque]] arranged by the [[Muslim Association of Sweden]]. During the conference al-Qaradawi expressed his support for suicide attacks against Israeli civilians which he called a "necessary [[Jihad]]".<ref name=DN>{{cite news |first = Fredrik |last = Malm |authorlink = Fredrik Malm |title = Massmordspredikan i svensk moské |url = http://web.archive.org/web/20041104021932/http://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=572&a=172705 |publisher = [[Dagens Nyheter]] |date = [[August 21]], [[2003]] |language = Swedish}}</ref>
|Active

|-
===Fatwa controversy with MEMRI===
|[[#Purple Shadows|Purple Shadows]]<ref name="purple nyt">{{cite news
Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), citing [[Asharq Al-Awsat]], alleges that Qaradawi issued a Fatwa following the [[Iraqi insurgency]], saying,
|last=Barron
<blockquote>
|first=James
"...all of the Americans in Iraq are combatants, there is no difference between civilians and soldiers, and one should fight them, since the American civilians came to Iraq in order to serve the occupation. The abduction and killing of Americans in Iraq is a [religious] obligation so as to cause them to leave Iraq immediately. The mutilation of corpses [however] is forbidden in Islam." <ref name="www_memri_org11">{{cite web | url = http://www.memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=subjects&Area=jihad&ID=SP79404#_edn1 | title = memri.org | accessdate = 2007-06-18 | publisher = }}</ref>
|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/16/education/edlife/EDEXTR.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print&position=&oref=slogin
</blockquote>
|title=Keeping Secrets

|work=New York Times
Qaradawi, however, denies this allegation, having "disowned" that which was said in my name in the media on the subject of the killing of American civilians in Iraq":
|date=2005-01-16}}</ref>

|1963
<blockquote>I have not published a Fatwa on this issue. At the Egyptian Journalists' Union a few days ago I was asked about the permissibility of fighting against the occupation in Iraq, and I answered that it is permitted. Afterwards I was asked concerning the American civilians in Iraq and I merely responded with the question – are there American civilians in Iraq? It is a matter of common knowledge that in Fatwas such as these I do not use the word "killing" but rather I say "struggle," which is a more comprehensive word than the word "killing" and whose meaning is not necessarily to kill. In addition, I have condemned the taking of hostages on a number of occasions in the past and have demanded that they be released and that their lives not be threatened."<ref>MEMRI as above, citing [[al-Hayat]]</ref></blockquote>
|Secret

|Active
According to MEMRI, this alleged fatwa raised a wave of reactions. Certain Islamic scholars issued similar verdicts. [[Shaker Al-Nabulsi]] called for the creation of a petition to the [[UN]] calling to put Qaradawi and his like on trial for incitement and support of [[terrorism]]. <ref name="www_memri_org12">{{cite web | url = http://www.memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=subjects&Area=jihad&ID=SP79404#_edn20 | title = memri.org | accessdate = 2007-06-18 | publisher = }}</ref><ref name="www_memri_org13">{{cite web | url = http://www.memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=subjects&Area=jihad&ID=SP79404 | title = memri.org | accessdate = 2007-06-18 | publisher = }}</ref>
|-

|[[#P.U.M.P.K.I.N. Society|P.U.M.P.K.I.N. Society]]<ref name="pumpkin-cd">{{cite news |url=http://scripta.lib.virginia.edu/cgi-textwg/cavdaily.pl?str=pumpkin&offset=35976732&fileid=19701030 |title=P.U.M.P.K.I.N.'s To Make Yearly Roll |work=[[Cavalier Daily]] |date=1970-10-30}}</ref><ref name="pumpkin-dabney">Dabney, 502.</ref>
=== Alcohol fatwa controversy ===
|ca. 1967
Qaradawi issued a fatwa in recent months stating that the consumption of small amounts of [[alcohol]] (<0.5% concentration or 5/1000) was acceptable for Muslims[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7342425.stm]. The statement was made regarding [[energy drink]]s, where fermentation occurring naturally as part of the production process. This contrasts with the widespread view that consuming alcohol is totally forbidden to Muslims. (chapter 5: verses 90-91).[http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/005.qmt.html#005.090]
|Secret

|Active
==Books==
|-
* [http://www.wponline.org/vil/Books/Q_Priorities/index.htm ''Priorities of the Islamic Movement in the Coming Phase]
|[[#Recent societies|Rotunda Burning Society]]<ref name="rbs-cd"/><ref name="rbs-web"/>
* [http://www.wponline.org/vil/Books/Q_awake/index.htm ''Towards a Sound Awakening]
|betw. 1974 and 1993
* [http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Books/Q_WI/default.htm ''The Status of Women in Islam]
|Secret
* [http://www.wponline.org/vil/Books/Q_RE/index.htm ''Islamic Awakening between Rejection and Extremism]
|Active
* [http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Books/Q_LP/ ''The Lawful and Prohibited in Islam'']
|-
* [http://www.returntoislam.com/wiki/index.php/Diversion_and_Arts_In_Islam ''Diversion and Arts In Islam''] (in progress)
|[[#Recent societies|21 Society]]<ref name="21-founding">{{cite news |url=http://www.cavalierdaily.com/CVArticle.asp?ID=165&pid=442 |title=21 Society formed |work=[[Cavalier Daily]] |date=1999-07-08 }}</ref><ref name="21-donation">{{cite news |url=http://www.cavalierdaily.com/CVArticle.asp?ID=22262&pid=1254 |title=An inspired gift |work=[[Cavalier Daily]] |date=2005-02-14}}</ref>
|1999
|Secret
|''Active''
|-
|[[The Order of the 3&5]]
|2006
|Secret
|Active
|-
|-
|[[Sons of Liberty#Later societies|Sons of Liberty]]<ref name="sol">{{cite news|url=http://www.cavalierdaily.com/news/2008/apr/17/sons-of-liberty-will-issue-apologies-for-recent-pr/|title=Sons of Liberty will issue apologies for recent prank|last=Hoffman|first=Laura|date=2008-04-17|work=[[Cavalier Daily]]|accessdate=2008-04-17}}</ref>
|bef. 2008
|Secret
|''Active''re
|-
|}


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Abdullah bin Bayyah]]
*[[Collegiate secret societies in North America]]
* [[Khurshid Ahmad]]
* [[Qur'an]]
* [[Template:Islam|Quick list on Islam]]

== Notes ==
{{Reflist|2}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
*[http://www.virginia.edu University of Virginia]


*[http://www.islamonline.net Personal website]
==References==
http://www.qaradawi.net
===Notes===
*Soage, Ana Belén,
{{reflist|2}}
[http://meria.idc.ac.il/journal/2008/issue1/pdf/5.pdf "Shaykh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi: Portrait of a leading Islamist cleric"], ''MERIA Journal'' 12/1 (March 2008), pp. 51-65.


{{Islamism}}
===General references===
*{{cite book |last=Bruce |first=Philip Alexander |authorlink=Philip Alexander Bruce |title=History of the University of Virginia: The Lengthening Shadow of One Man |location=New York |publisher=[[Macmillan Publishing|Macmillan]] |year=1921}}
*{{cite book|last=Dabney|first=Virginius|authorlink=Virginius Dabney |title=Mr. Jefferson's University: A History |url=http://repo.lib.virginia.edu:18080/fedora/get/uva-lib:178665/uva-lib-bdef:100/getFullView |publisher=University of Virginia Press|location=Charlottesville|year=1981|pages=305-306}}
*{{cite book |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=KsI3AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA235&vq=edgar+mason&dq=%22jefferson+society%22+cabell+patton&source=gbs_search_s |title=Jefferson, Cabell, and the University of Virginia |last=Patton |first = John S. |publisher=Neale Publishing Company |location=New York |year=1906 |pages=235}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Qaradawi, Yusuf al-}}
{{University of Virginia}}
[[Category:1926 births]]
[[Category:Egyptian religious leaders]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Egyptian Islamists]]
[[Category:Muslim Brotherhood leaders]]
[[category:Egyptian Muslims]]


{{Link FA|he}}
[[Category:Secret societies]]
[[ar:يوسف القرضاوي]]
[[Category:United States student societies]]
[[cs:Jusúf al-Karadáví]]
[[Category:University of Virginia]]
[[de:Yusuf al-Qaradawi]]
[[fr:Youssef Al-Qaradâwî]]
[[id:Yusuf al-Qaradawi]]
[[he:יוסוף אל-קרדאווי]]
[[ml:യൂസുഫ് അല്‍ഖറദാവി]]
[[ms:Yusuf al-Qaradawi]]
[[nl:Yusuf al-Qaradawi]]
[[ja:アル・カラダウィ]]
[[no:Yusuf al-Qaradawi]]
[[ru:Кардави, Юсуф]]
[[sv:Yusuf al-Qaradawi]]

Revision as of 22:41, 13 October 2008

Yusuf al-Qaradawi
EraModern era
RegionMuslim scholar
SchoolSunni Islam

Yusuf al-Qaradawi (Arabic: يوسف القرضاوي Yūsuf al-Qaraḍāwiy), (born September 9, 1926) is an Egyptian Muslim scholar and preacher best known for his popular al Jazeera program, ash-Shariah wal-Hayat ("Shariah and Life"), and IslamOnline (a website that he helped to found in 1997), where he offers opinions and religious edicts ("fatwa") based on his interpretation of the Qur'an. He has also published some fifty books, including The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam and Islam: The Future Civilization.

Although al-Qaradawi has long had one of the more prominent roles within the thought leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood[1], he has twice turned down offers for the official directorship role of the organization.[2] Among many Muslims, he is considered a moderate conservative, who seeks to explain and adapt the ideals of the Islamic lifestyle with those of modern society [citation needed]. Others consider him as a staunch Islamist, who rejects universal human rights and some of the fundamentals of democracy, and note his endorsement of Palestinian suicide bombing attacks against Israeli civilian targets.[citation needed]

Biography

Al-Qaradawi was born in Egypt. Following his father's death, the two year old Qaradawi was raised by his uncle. His family urged him to either run a grocery store or to become a carpenter. Instead, he read and memorized the entire Qur'an by the time he was nine years old. Qaradawi was a follower of Hasan al-Banna during his youth and was imprisoned first under the monarchy in 1949, then three times after the publication of Tyrant and the Scholar. He attended the Al-Azhar Theological Seminary before moving to Qatar.

During his time at al-Azhar, al-Qaradawi oversaw the Muslim Brotherhood's (Wafd-government-approved) paramilitary training camp there, alongside fellow Muslim Brothers Ahmed al-'Asal and Abdallah al-'Aqil. The camp, along with others like it at other Egyptian universities, taught university students how to use weapons and explosives, and drilled them in a doctrine of religious war against the occupying British and Israelis.[3]

He worked in the Egyptian Ministry of Religious Endowments, was the Dean of the Islamic Department at the Faculties of Shariah and Education in Qatar, and served as chairman of the Islamic Scientific Councils of Algerian Universities and Institutions.

He was a longtime member of the Muslim Brotherhood, and has turned down offers to be the Brotherhood's leader various times. Qaradawi is the head of the European Council for Fatwa and Research.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]

Views

Sectarian views

Qaradawi has been an avid caller to what he calls "Islamic Sufism", praising those who practice it as pious.[26]. He has also been a staunch defender of the Ashari school of belief within Islam, going so far as to claim that the whole Muslim world follows this school as well as all Muslim religious schools in the world.[27]

Qaradawi has also described Shi'ites as liars, "heretics" [28] and "treacherous" [29]. In response, the Iranian Press Agency has described Qaradawi as "a spokesman for “international Freemasonry and Jewish rabbis".

Suicide bombings

Qaradawi strongly supports Palestinian attacks on Israeli targets, including against civilians, believing they are legitimate form of resistance. Qaradawi claims that hundreds of other Islamic scholars are of the same opinion.

Defending bombings against off duty soldiers Qaradawi told BBC Newsnight that:

  • "An Israeli woman is not like women in our societies, because she is a soldier."
  • "I consider this type of martyrdom operation as an evidence of God's justice."
  • "Allah Almighty is just; through his infinite wisdom he has given the weak a weapon the strong do not have and that is their ability to turn their bodies into bombs as Palestinians do". [30]

At the press conference held by the organizations sponsoring Qaradawi's visit to London, Qaradawi reiterated his view that Suicide attacks are a justified from of resistance to Israeli occupation. In the past, Qaradawi has justified such terrorist actions on the basis that all Israel civilians are potential soldiers since Israel is a "militarized society."

Due to this, Qaradawi has been accused by many Western countries and Israel of supporting terrorism.

However, he is opposed to attacks outside of the Palestinian territories and on other than Israeli targets. For example, on March 20, 2005, Qaradawi issued a condemnation of a car-bombing that had occurred in Doha, Qatar the day before. One Briton, Jon Adams was killed. Qaradawi issued a statement[31] that said "Such crimes are committed by insane persons who have no religious affiliation and play well into the hands of the enemies." and "I urge all Qataris to stand united in facing such an epidemic and uproot it to nip the infection in the bud, otherwise it will spread like wildfire. I, in the name of all scholars in Qatar, denounce such a horrendous crime and pray that it would be the last and implore God to protect this secure country.".

See also his comments here:[32].

Opinion on the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict

In response to Muslim scholar 'Abdullaah ibn Jibreen's fatwa declaring that it was forbidden for Muslims to support or pray for the terrorist group Hezbollah because they are Shia, Qaradawi issued a contrary fatwa, stating that it was mandatory for all Muslims to support Hezbollah in its fight against Israel, claiming that "Shias agree with the Sunnis in the main principles of Islam while the differences are only over the branches." In this fatwa, he also called upon the Sunnis and Shia of Iraq to end the civil war.[33]

Boycott fatwa

According to IslamOnline, Qaradawi released a fatwa on April 14 2004 stating boycott of American and Israeli products was an obligation for all who are able.[34][17]The fatwa reads in part :

"If people ask in the name of religion we must help them. The vehicle of this support is a complete boycott of the enemies' goods. Each riyal, dirham …etc. used to buy their goods eventually becomes bullets to be fired at the hearts of brothers and children in Palestine. For this reason, it is an obligation not to help them (the enemies of Islam) by buying their goods. To buy their goods is to support tyranny, oppression and aggression. Buying goods from them will strengthen them; our duty is to make them as weak as we can. Our obligation is to strengthen our resisting brothers in the Sacred Land as much as we can. If we cannot strengthen the brothers, we have a duty to make the enemy weak. If their weakness cannot be achieved except by boycott, we must boycott them.

American goods, exactly like "Israeli" goods, are forbidden. It is also forbidden to advertise these goods. America today is a second Israel. It totally supports the Zionist entity. The usurper could not do this without the support of America. "Israel's" unjustified destruction and vandalism of everything has been using American money, American weapons, and the American veto. America has done this for decades without suffering the consequences of any punishment or protests about their oppressive and prejudiced position from the Islamic world."

Pokemon fatwa

In 2001, Saudi Arabia banned the game of Pokémon as a Zionist plot; Qaradawi issued a fatwa endorsing this in December 2003, saying that Pokemon not only uses Jewish and Masonic symbols, but teaches evolution. Not only do Pokemon evolve, they do so "in battles where the survivors are those who adapt better to the environment; another of Darwin's dogmas." In addition, both depiction of imaginary animals and card-games are contrary to the Koran. Qaradawi also notes that some Japanese expressions squeaked and gibbered by Pokemon may mean "I am a Jew" and "Become a Jew," but admits the matter is controversial and he isn't certain.[35]

Mecca Time

In April 2008, at a conference in Qatar titled "Mecca: the Center of the Earth, Theory and Practice", Qaradawi advocated the implementation of Mecca Time to replace the Greenwich Meridian as the basis of the world time zone system.[36]

Controversy and Criticism

Criticism from conservative Muslims

Qaradawi urged the Taliban to reconsider its decision to tear down the Buddha statues in Afghanistan in 2001. He was quickly criticized for supporting "idol worship". Upon meeting with leaders from the Taliban, Qaradawi reversed his position and praised the act of the destruction of the statues. [37]

The late Muhammad Naasiruddeen al-Albaanee disagreed with Qaradawi's stance that photography and pictures were lawful, even authoring a book in response to those positions. [citation needed]

Qaradawi also came under heavy criticism for a comment during a sermon in which he stated, regarding Benjamin Netanyahu's victory as the Prime Minister of Israel by a large margin, that "Allah himself would not achieve this." Fellow Muslim scholar Muqbil bin Haadi al-Waadi'ee also authored a book criticizing Qaradawi titled Silencing the Hounding Dog in which he questioned this statement as possible disbelief.[38] Muhammad ibn al Uthaymeen reacted similarly when the statement was played for him from an audio tape, stating that it was obligatory for Qaradawi to repent from the statement or otherwise he should be "killed as an apostate."[39]

Democratic perspective

Qaradawi has at times spoken in favor of democracy in the Muslim world,[40] speaking of a need for reform of political climates in the Middle East specifically.[41] However, his statements and positions have been criticized as essentially incompatible with democracy, or even contrary to democracy.[citation needed]

Allegations of Anti-Semitism

Qaradawi is currently president of the Dublin-based European Council for Fatwa and Research. In August 2005, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Council had used the infamous anti-Semitic forgery known as the Protocols of the Elders of Zion in its theological deliberations.[42]

Danish cartoon controversy

Qaradawi called for a "Day of Anger" over the cartoons,[43] but condemned violent actions in response to them.[44]

Homosexuality

On June 5 2006, on the Al Jazeera "Sharia and Life" programme he regularly features on, al-Qaradawi reiterated orthodox views on homosexuality. [45] When asked about the punishment for people who "practise liwaat (sodomy) or sihaaq (lesbian activity)", al-Qaradawi replied: "The same punishment as any sexual pervert - the same as the fornicator." (MEMRI translation) [46]

Terrorism

After the September 11 attacks, Qaradawi, urging Muslims to donate blood for the victims of the attacks, stated,[47]

"Islam, the religion of tolerance, holds the human soul in high esteem, and considers the attack against innocent human beings a grave sin, this is backed by the Qur'anic verse which reads:
Who so ever kills a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he has killed all mankind, and who so ever saves the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind," (Al-Ma'dah:32).
"The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is reported to have said, 'A believer remains within the scope of his religion as long as he doesn't kill another person illegally'"
"Islam never allows a Muslim to kill the innocent and the helpless." He denies that Palestinian suicide bombing attacks constitute terrorism, claiming that "when Palestinians face such unjust aggression, they tend to stem bloodletting and destruction and not to claim the lives of innocent civilians", but qualifies that with "I do agree with those who do not allow such martyr operations to be carried out outside the Palestinian territories."

In modern times, Yousef al-Qaradhawi has suggested the legitimate use of suicide bombings against enemy combatants if the defending combatants had no other means of self-defense.[48] In the context of Israeli-Palestinian conflict, al-Qaradhawi has argued that killing innocent Muslims, being used as human shields by the enemy, is permissible. He considers the sacrifice of a few Muslims, in order to save the entire Muslim community, as a legitimate tactic.[49]

Entry into western countries

Qaradawi has been banned from entering the United States of America since 1999 and the United Kingdom since 2008,[50] though he visited London in 2004.[51] In July 2003 he visited Stockholm, Sweden, for a conference at the Stockholm Mosque arranged by the Muslim Association of Sweden. During the conference al-Qaradawi expressed his support for suicide attacks against Israeli civilians which he called a "necessary Jihad".[52]

Fatwa controversy with MEMRI

Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), citing Asharq Al-Awsat, alleges that Qaradawi issued a Fatwa following the Iraqi insurgency, saying,

"...all of the Americans in Iraq are combatants, there is no difference between civilians and soldiers, and one should fight them, since the American civilians came to Iraq in order to serve the occupation. The abduction and killing of Americans in Iraq is a [religious] obligation so as to cause them to leave Iraq immediately. The mutilation of corpses [however] is forbidden in Islam." [53]

Qaradawi, however, denies this allegation, having "disowned" that which was said in my name in the media on the subject of the killing of American civilians in Iraq":

I have not published a Fatwa on this issue. At the Egyptian Journalists' Union a few days ago I was asked about the permissibility of fighting against the occupation in Iraq, and I answered that it is permitted. Afterwards I was asked concerning the American civilians in Iraq and I merely responded with the question – are there American civilians in Iraq? It is a matter of common knowledge that in Fatwas such as these I do not use the word "killing" but rather I say "struggle," which is a more comprehensive word than the word "killing" and whose meaning is not necessarily to kill. In addition, I have condemned the taking of hostages on a number of occasions in the past and have demanded that they be released and that their lives not be threatened."[54]

According to MEMRI, this alleged fatwa raised a wave of reactions. Certain Islamic scholars issued similar verdicts. Shaker Al-Nabulsi called for the creation of a petition to the UN calling to put Qaradawi and his like on trial for incitement and support of terrorism. [55][56]

Alcohol fatwa controversy

Qaradawi issued a fatwa in recent months stating that the consumption of small amounts of alcohol (<0.5% concentration or 5/1000) was acceptable for Muslims[3]. The statement was made regarding energy drinks, where fermentation occurring naturally as part of the production process. This contrasts with the widespread view that consuming alcohol is totally forbidden to Muslims. (chapter 5: verses 90-91).[4]

Books

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Olivier Guitta (February 20, 2006). "The Cartoon Jihad: The Muslim Brotherhood's project for dominating the West". The Weekly Standard. pp. Volume 11, Issue 22.
  2. ^ "Al-Qaradawi Turns Down Offer to Assume Leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood". al-Jazeera. January 12, 2004.
  3. ^ Saddiq, 'Ali, Al-Ikhwan al-Muslimun Bayn Irahab Faruq wa Abd al-Nasser (The Muslim Brothers between the Terror of Faruq and Abd al-Nasser, Dar al-Itisam, Cairo, 1987, pp.56-59
  4. ^ BBC World News Profile of Sheikh Yusuf Qaradawi
  5. ^ "Our War with the Jews Is in the Name of Islam": partial transcript of Qatari TV show, Feb. 25, 2006, translated by MEMRI
  6. ^ Eulogizes Saddam Hussein and Declares: In Recent Years, Saddam Was a Changed Man, Did Charitable Work and Helped People Build Mosques
  7. ^ Calls Upon Iraqi Kurds to Join Sunni Fight against Shiites Once Mediation Fails
  8. ^ Original version of fatwa later edited, stating that apostates deserve to be killed
  9. ^ Islam-Online (English)
  10. ^ Al-Qaradawi's Homepage (Arabic)
  11. ^ Truth about Qaradawi (Arabic)
  12. ^ Some Mistakes of Yusuf al-Qaradawi
  13. ^ Mayor Livingstone and Sheikh Qaradawi
  14. ^ Fatwas at Islam Online
  15. ^ 9/11 Fatwa
  16. ^ Fatwa on boycott of American and Israeli products
  17. ^ a b "islamonline.net". Retrieved 2007-06-18.
  18. ^ Biography and Moderate Vision
  19. ^ Qaradawi on Arab Reform: Interview with Al Jazeera
  20. ^ BBC Story on Qaradawi's Visit to London
  21. ^ Islamonline's Story of Qaradawi's Visit to London
  22. ^ The Herald Islamic moderate or rabble-rouser?
  23. ^ Hour of Power with an Islamist Superstar by Martin Kramer
  24. ^ Speech on MEMRI TV
  25. ^ Yusuf al-Qaradawi
  26. ^ On Tassawuf Shaykh Yusuf al-Qaradawi
  27. ^ Al Ghazaly Man of Da'wah
  28. ^ [1]
  29. ^ [2]
  30. ^ "news.bbc.co.uk". Retrieved 2007-06-18.
  31. ^ "Islam-online.net". Retrieved 2007-06-18.
  32. ^ Interview with Britain's Guardian newspaper
  33. ^ Qaradawi urges Muslims to support Hezbollah. Gulf Times
  34. ^ "islamonline.net". Retrieved 2007-06-18.
  35. ^ >Saudi bans Pokemon. March 26, 2001, CNN.com. Retrieved on July 22, 2007; Umberto Eco, Turning Back the Clock, as tr. by Alastair McEwen, Harcourt Books, 2007, pp 56-7, citing Massimo Introvigne: "Pokémon: a Judeo-Masonic Plot." Il Giornale September 17, 2004. Quote, and title of article, in McEwen's translation.
  36. ^ BBC:Muslim call to adopt Mecca time
  37. ^ "themodernreligion.com". Retrieved 2007-06-18.
  38. ^ Muqbil bin Haadi al-Waadi'ee, Silencing the Hounding Dog, pg. 110-112
  39. ^ Muqbil bin Haadi al-Waadi'ee, Silencing the Hounding Dog, pg. 199
  40. ^ Muslim world needs democracy, says Qaradawi - The Muslim News - Saturday, July 8, 2006
  41. ^ Reform according to Islam. Al Jazeera English
  42. ^ http://www.zmo.de/pressekit/material/Wall_Street_BG.pdf
  43. ^ Daily Telegraph
  44. ^ Qaradawi Condemns Violent Cartoon Protests. IslamOnline.net
  45. ^ "aljazeera.net". Retrieved 2007-06-18.
  46. ^ "memritv.org". Retrieved 2007-06-18.
  47. ^ Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi Condemns Attacks Against Civilians: Forbidden in Islam
  48. ^ Abdelhadi, Magdi (July 7, 2004). "Controversial preacher with 'star status'". BBC News. Retrieved 2007-05-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  49. ^ Yousef al-Qaradhawi, "Al-Qaradhawi Speaks in Favor of Suicide Operations at an Islamic Conference in Sweden," Middle East Media Research Institute, July 24, 2003.
  50. ^ "Muslim cleric not allowed into UK". BBC News. 2008-02-07. Retrieved 2008-02-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  51. ^ Militant Ideology Atlas, Combating Terrorism Center, West Point
  52. ^ Malm, Fredrik (August 21, 2003). "Massmordspredikan i svensk moské" (in Swedish). Dagens Nyheter. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  53. ^ "memri.org". Retrieved 2007-06-18.
  54. ^ MEMRI as above, citing al-Hayat
  55. ^ "memri.org". Retrieved 2007-06-18.
  56. ^ "memri.org". Retrieved 2007-06-18.

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to Yusuf al-Qaradawi.
 http://www.qaradawi.net
  • Soage, Ana Belén,

"Shaykh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi: Portrait of a leading Islamist cleric", MERIA Journal 12/1 (March 2008), pp. 51-65.

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