International scholars have offered their views on the role of fatwas in their particular societies.

Taha Ozhan, chief adviser to the Prime Minister of Turkey, said Muslims in Turkey have no issues with fatwa as the type of Islam practiced in the country is a "classical" one.

Therefore, the Muslims do not expect the fatwas to be changed, Taha ( left ) told Malaysiakini on the sidelines of the World Forum for Muslim Democrats in Petaling Jaya yesterday.

"There is not much room for ijtihad (independent reasoning)," he said.

However, discussions on Islam are lively in Turkey.

"They keep asking questions to the religious authorities and they are getting answers. In that sense, it is very lively and intensive," he said.

When asked to comment on the fatwa recently released by the Selangor fatwa committee which declared Sisters in Islam and other organisations that promote religious liberalism and plurality as being deviant, Taha simply said that such things are almost non-existent in Turkey.

"Since Turkey is a secular state, such bans need no fatwa," he said.

Indonesia’s The Habibie Centre chairperson Ahmad Watik Pratiknya said fatwas in the country are relevant as the country’s population is more than 80 percent Muslim.

The ulama council in the country is focused on giving information related to religious issues.

However, it is not compulsory for one to adhere strictly to a particular fatwa.

When a particular fatwa needs to be "strengthened", it will go to the courts, said Ahmad Watik.

"The court will take the fatwa and it will go through a legal process," he said, explaining that such fatwas are normally related to issues like marriage and divorce.

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Global scholars offer views on role of fatwas