On Dec 22, 2014, the world was shocked by the warrant of arrest (Red Notice) issued by the Interpol towards a prominent Muslim scholar, Dr Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi. Al-Qaradawi has been a fierce critic of Egypt’s military government and has also lashed out at Saudi Arabia and the UAE for supporting the regime.
Al-Qaradawi has long had a prominent role within the intellectual leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood. Al-Qaradawi is currently living in exile in Doha, Qatar.
Dr Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi was charged with
- Agreement, incitement and to commit international murder;
- Helping prisoners to escape;
- Arson;
- Vandalism; and
- Theft.
Al-Qaradawi is a prominent figure in the Muslim world. He was awarded by Malaysia as the Tokoh Maal Hijrah in the year 2009 due to his diligence and hard and his views regarding on Islam and peace.
He boldly pointed out his opinion with regards to the Egyptian crisis in the past years and he had expressed his objections and strong condemnation against Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis) which had gone against the principles of Sharia.
Therefore, we the Law Students’ Society of Universiti Utara Malaysia strongly urge the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Malaysian government to take a bold stand as soon as possible and pressure Interpol to revoke the warrant of arrest against Dr. Sheikh Yusuf al- Qaradawi.
OMAR KUTTY is deputy president, Law Students’ Society of Universiti Utara Malaysia.
