Noted Islamic scholar Dr Yousuf Al Qaradawi rued the condition of Muslims in 2006 and described their plight as “disastrous”. In his regular Friday sermon, Qaradawi stated the world is under the control of the US and Israel. “The world is living under the total control of the Americans and Israel. They murder whom they want. Americans are wandering around our region as if it is their own farm,” he said. The scholar said Muslim nations lost a lot in the past year. No progress has been realised internally or externally, even though there are plenty of natural resources. “The main reasons for failure are a lack of human resource development, freedom and democracy,” he said.
Al Qaradawi also mentioned Afghanistan and the US military operations there. He said that the US thought the operation was just a “picnic” but was surprised by the strong opposition. Similarly, the American military adventure in Iraq was faced with strong opposition which has “made us proud”, he said.
He condemned Israel’s operation in Ramallah and the “assassination” of four people. He also condemned the armed fighting between Fatah and Hamas factions in Palestinian territories. He described the competition between both factions as ridiculous. There is no real government or authority with sovereignty which controls Palestine, he said.
The kutba (sermon) also mentioned Somalia and how the Ethiopians, backed by the US, attacked the Union of Islamic Courts whose members were dedicated to bring peace and security to the country.
Speaking on Iraq, he warned of a sectarian war which could explode at any time. If ShiÂ’ite leaders in Iraq and Iran did not intervene immediately, the situation in Iraq would deteriorate. Keeping silent on the situation there could further aggravate an already dangerous situation, he added.
He said the execution of Saddam Hussein, on the first day of Eid Al-Adha, was a “great mistake” and no Muslim would accept such an act by any means. The cleric said that he had no objection to Saddam Hussein’s trial but said that a leader should be tried by his own people.