Jordanian clerics have issued a fatwa describing as "apostates" journalists of a weekly magazine that published an article deemed insulting to Prophet Mohammad, a statement said Wednesday.
The Islamic Action Front (IAF) said a group of its scholars found journalists of the independent Al Hilal weekly "apostates," warning they will "burn in hell."
The statement said Islamic law "deems those who undermine or insult the prophet, or slander him or his message, as apostates who will burn in hell for eternity."
The fatwa came less than a week after the authorities detained three Al Hilal journalists and shut the newspaper for a half-page article that discussed the "mythology of sex in Islam" by referring to Prophet Mohammad's relations with his spouses, especially his youngest wife, Aisha.
The IAF said the newspaper was "highly abusive" of Mohammad and his wives and called on the government's religious courts to "rule on such an atrocious crime."
The IAF statement added the article in Al Hilal's latest issue was "part of a Western crusade and a Zionist attack on the prophet." (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
