Holy War

"Egypt does not want a war." So says Egypt's Premier Abdel Nasser, leading statesman of the Arab world. But the supreme spiritual voice of all Islam in effect denies that protestation. From Cairo's 1,000-year-old Al Azhar University, the Committee of Senior Ulema* solemnly confirmed a jihad (holy war) against Israel.

The fatwa (ruling), a pronouncement having almost the same force for Moslems as a papal encyclical for Roman Catholics, decrees that for a Moslem to recognize the state of Israel would be to condone an act of robbery. "All heavenly religions are unanimous in condemning robbery and stating that robbed objects should be returned to their rightful owners." Furthermore, Mohammed himself has said: "He who dies in defense of his property is a martyr; he who dies in defense of his honor is a martyr." When Mohammed and his followers were driven out of Mecca, the Ulema recalled, Allah ordered his Prophet: "Drive them from where they have driven you" and "Attack who attacked you in the same way." That, said the Ulema, is again the duty of all the faithful.

Moreover, Islamic states should not join those military alliances advocated by "imperialist powers trying hard to divide Moslems." Concluded the Ulema: any peace with Israel that includes recognition of its existence as a state in Palestine "is against faith." Moslems, "whatever their language, race or color should all cooperate to restore this land to its people . . . They should help fighters in the jihad with weapons and various resources."

* A body of scholars trained in Islamic law and religion that has long been recognized as the highest Moslem, authority in matters of faith.

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