DUBAI (Agencies)
An Islamic Jurisprudence Council based in Saudi Arabia said it was permitted to determine the sex of a fetus provided it is a medical necessity, and called on Muslims living in the West to participate in the elections.
During the six-day meeting of the Islamic Jurisprudence Council in Mecca, Islam's holiest city, 70 Muslim dignitaries and scholars aimed to"tackle a number of important topics," according to Saudi Arabia's official SPA news agency.
At the closing of its 19th session, the Council sanctioned determining the baby's sex before delivery in case certain diseases are suspected that can affect boys and not girls, and vice versa.
Three doctors would be required to confirm the medical necessity of the procedure, and the Mufti's approval must be given, the London-based daily Al-Hayat reported.
The Council also approved damaging the ovary that could lead to a disabled child, but said that trying to control the sex of the child was strictly prohibited.
 |
Voting On a separate matter, the Council encouraged Muslims to integrate into Western societies and participate in election in non-Muslim countries.
It urged them to play an effective political role, especially if elections—parliamentary or municipal—brought about public good or prevented social evils.
The Council said this was the only way for Muslims abroad to secure their rights and cautioned them against engaging in any Western habits that are contrary to the principles of Islam. |
|
Ringtones The council has had stormy debates on controversial issues the past few days including a lively discussion over the use of Quranic verses as mobile phone ringtones.
"The scholars were divided on the use of verses from the Quran as mobile telephone ringtones," the Al-Hayat daily said, describing what it called "a turbulent debate."
In recent years many scholars of Islam, especially from Egypt, have denounced the use of Quranic verses in mobile telephony, believing it to be a frivolity that impinges on the sacred character of the Muslim holy book.
The meeting was presided by the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom and Head of the Muslim Scholars Council, Sheikh Abdul-Aziz Al al-Sheikh. |
