The Islamic Fatwa Council, a non-governmental religious body based in Najaf in Iraq, describes itself as
… the first global governing judicial body specializing in deducing Fatwas from indisputable and moderate Islamic references. The IFC transcends borders and continents as its jurists and legal scholars come from all Islamic denominations and sects, reinforcing the credibility and legality of the issued verdict. It is a representative legal body of all sects of Islam, critical for denouncing and opposing all forms of violent verdicts and hateful public statements.
Last week, the Council issued a Fatwa condemning Hamas as a terrorist organization. Fatwa F2301 (full text) provides in part:
… The Islamic Fatwa Council has reviewed extensive documentation of Hamas behavior toward Palestinians in Gaza…. Our findings … result in our ruling that:
A) Hamas bears responsibility for its own reign of corruption and terror against Palestinian civilians within Gaza;
B) It is prohibited to pray for, join, support, finance, or fight on behalf of Hamas– an entity that adheres to the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood movement.
Furthermore, the Islamic Fatwa Council joins the UAE Fatwa Council and the Council of Senior Scholars of Saudi Arabia in declaring the Muslim Brotherhood movement and all of its branches as terrorist organizations that defame Islam and operate in opposition to mainstream Islamic unity, theology and jurisprudence.
Fox News reports on the Council’s action. Fatwa Council officials comment on the Fatwa.