ISLAMABAD: It is the prime responsibility of Muslim scholars to project the true picture of Islam in the light of the holy Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), said the International Islamic University Islamabad President Prof Dr Ahmad Yousif Al-Draiweesh while speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the two-day international conference on ‘Fatwa as a non-state legal system’.

The conference has been organised by the IIUI Faculty of Shariah and Law in collaboration with the Islamic Research Institute (IRI), Shariah Academy, Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Al-Wastia Forum, Jordan.

Addressing the participants, Al-Draiweesh said that Islam is the religion of moderation therefore while issuing a fatwa, all Islamic scholars should focus on the basic characteristics of Islam, as fatwas based on controversies and extremism were leading societies towards anarchy and social problems.

He said that some scholars issuing fatwas repugnant to the holy Quran and Sunnah were promoting extremism and intolerance in society and defaming Islam and the Islamic ideology.

He said that only government-appointed muftis should issue fatwas in order to avoid intolerance.

Dr Izzuddin Binzaghiba, Prof Dr Muhammad Ahmad Hassan Al-Qudh, Dr Khalid Masood, Dr Tahir Mansoori and Dr Ziaul Haq also addressed at the conference.

The concluding ceremony of the conference will be held today at 3:30pm, at Quaid-e-Auditorium, Faisal Masjid Campus. Saudi Ambassador Dr Abdul Aziz Ibrahim Al-Ghadeer will preside over the ceremony while Senator Moula Bakhsh Chandio will be the chief guest on the occasion.