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| Volume VIII, December 2001, Number 4 |
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| EXCERPT:Interview with Ezzeddin Ibrahim |
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| Dr. Ibrahim was the chancellor of Al Ain University in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and is the cultural advisor to the Presidential Court. The following interview, conducted by Erik R. Peterson, the former editor of this journal, on February 18, 1983, was updated by Dr. Ibrahim in November 2001. |
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Q: Since September 11, there has been a great deal of confusing discussion in the U.S. media on whether Islam sanctions violence. How would you respond to this charge?
Dr. Ibrahim: Islam does not condone terrorism in any form. What occurred on September 11, 2001, is one of the most loathsome of crimes, which in Islam goes under the name of al-hirabah. Hirabah is the most abominable type of murder, in that it involves killing with terrorism and intimidation. While supporting all efforts exerted to combat terrorism, one should warn against any actions against civilians and innocent members of society and indeed against states that have no involvement in these atrocities. Also it is necessary to think of the roots of terror and attend to the reasons that have provoked this phenomenon. This should include the situation in the Middle East and the necessity of finding a just, durable and peaceful solution for it.
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