Discussing politics during the Friday sermon
Doha: Dispute over the use of politics in Friday sermons has become a divisive issue among a majority of Muslims across the Arab world.
Scholars who argue that politics is inseparable from Islam say that the Imam is duty-bound to dive into politics while giving the weekly sermon, and disclose sufferings of Muslims, even if they are located in a remote corner of the world.
Others say that the ‘minbar’ (the platform used by the Imam to deliver his sermon in the mosque) is being exploited by political parties which use Imams to further their agendas.
The debate has come to the forefront following Egypt’s crackdown on unlicensed Imams, who have been banned from giving Friday sermons.
According to the London-based Arabic daily Asharq Al Awsat, Egypt’s Ministry of Awqaf has barred nearly 55,000 unlicensed clerics
http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/qatar/253951-striking-a-balance-in-sermons....
ur wrong...If u reject Allah (swt) it means ur rejecting islam which covers all..sharia is a law but above law there is the almighty who need to be accepted first and that is Allah (swt)
I’m pro-secularism, but I will tell you this.
In the more enlightened world citizens are enough educated/enlightened to reject any domination of religion/Church on their daily affairs. Keeping Religion out of man’s affair is an enshrined biblical concept:
The Bible says "Give to God what you owe to God and Give to Caesar what you owe to Caesar".
But that’s not the case with other religion like Islam for example.
Muslims believe Islamic Shareiah is a way of life and has complete coded laws, solutions for all the world’s economical, cultural, environmental and what not problems. etc.
In Islam if Reject Sharia Law in Any shape way or Form, you’re automatically rejecting the Quran, The prophet, Islam, and God.
I do believe that church and state should be separate.
I also think it is very well possible to talk about politics in a sermon. IF one talks about peace and tolerance, and NOT to incite more violence and hatred.
i normally avoid going to sermon where they concetrate or talk more on politics...i prefer going where it talks purely about islam :)...I can learn from their qutba more about islam and accordingly spread the message of islam to my other muslim and non muslim brothers and sisters :)
Christainity does not have a blameless record either, look at the Spanish in central and south america where Christanity was imposed on the local population against their will. However that was a long time ago and European have moved on to a post religious soceity.
Anyway as you say lets move on...
As I said.. The UK is one side of the coin and Iran the other..
Your blanket assumption that If one religion takes political power it ends up persecuting the others is erroneous.
Otherwise I agree with your sentiments..
Anyway, we'll move on ..
The UK is Constitutional Monarchy and the real power lies with the Parliment. The Church of England peforms a number of ceromonial functions, which I am fine with, but cannot direct interfere in politics. (Although various Archbishops feel the need to voice their concerns on some matters but that is just their opinion)
The Laws of the UK protect all religions and guarentee freedom of worship.
Take that and then look at Iran, where the parliment has limited powers and the real power lies with the 12 member cleric council and more specifically the Ayatollah, none of whom are elected. Shia Islam is the offical regigion and others are either persecuted directly or indirectly.
The Established Church
The Church of England is the established church, meaning, amongst other things:
•the Monarch is the the Supreme Governor of the church (theologically Jesus is the head),
•the Church performs a number of official functions,
•Church and State are linked
Source : BBC
The UK is a very poor example to give. The seperation of church and state happened hundreds of years ago and the right to freedom of worship is enshrined in law. No one has a problem to build a church, temple or mosque and worship freely.
The UK does not have religion at heart at all, in fact it has openly atheist politicans including the Deputy PM.
There are over 190 countries in the world. Many of them have religion at the heart - For example , UK. You take a few examples and make assumptions for all..
Well that is certainly the case in Indonesia, Iran, Saudi, Egpyt, Afghanistan, Burma, Sri Lanka currently.
It's a freedom of choice issue, people should be allowed to follow whatever faith they like, regardless if others disagree with it.
It is possible if both sides don't have any ill wills towards eachother. Let a politician be a good religious fellow if he / she wishes so.
"the government inacts laws to protect freedom of worship and religion. That means for all citizens and residents of a country so they can practise their faith without fear." - Agreed
"If one religion takes political power it ends up persecuting the others." Disagree.. Not necessarily the case..
MM that is very easy, the government inacts laws to protect freedom of worship and religion. That means for all citizens and residents of a country so they can practise their faith without fear. If one religion takes political power it ends up persecuting the others.
Right, a lovely day is started for all of us at QL ... !
Started
How can some one protect religion without political strength ?
The problem is the moment you get into politics you are breaking every rule of Islam at personal level. So essentially, you start sacrificing Islam for worldly gains and power. And I feel there should be death penalty for such contradictory morality in the name of a religion.
You are free to follow your religious beliefs just make sure they do not break the laws of the country you are in
Rip... in the society we need to comply the Law to bring harmony & for the social growth of it. here comes the politics that enable the civil society follow a direction where if the individual interest is superseded to the society's interest.
and if I have the Faith in my religion which is providing me the codes of life [how to walk, eat, drink, sleep, marry, bargain, deal with others, trade, earn, spend, how to give charities etc]. and i believe these codes/Laws are Divine; I'll follow. And my like minded living near me will do so to make a fellow society.
I think in this asking we need to know, "what is politics?"
We mostly use misnomer of the Politics,
Jubil that is exactly what it should be a personal faith. Keep it to yourself, no one needs to hear about your choice and certainly it should not be forced on others through a political system
there are 3 parts of belief;
1. faith or acknowledgement by heart[in islam its called "Emaniyyat"]
2. rites, dogmas & doing the apparent religious obligations[in islam its "Islamiyat"]
3. third the most important part of the religion is to practice its given codes in all aspects of life[starting from Himself], and get to know the spirits of the point No. 2 and implement this spirit [in islam its "Deeniyyat"]
this is the way islam give you start from yourself by practicing the Divine code and make a Practicing Society.
so is the politics, it really needs the assessment to spread it to the society. It will be just personal faith & practicing dogmas if the politics is kept at distance
I absolutely agree that politics should never be mixed with religion. Religion is about sacrifice and love whereas politics is about gains and hatred. They don't mix together.
religion from politics is like removing scent from a cool breeze ....
my Allah give the egyptians what they asked for
Of course the Islamic scholars want to move into politics, so they can control the population and achieve a position of power.
Religion and politics/govt should be kept separate. Don't let the religious crazies take control over your country or you end up like Iran, Saudi or Afghanistan under the Taliban and no one wants that.
So Pharoah SiSi, not content with overthrowing an elected government and arresting its leaders is now resorting to arresting Imams.
Egyptians should be ashamed of themselves for allowing this to happen..