Qatar online portal issues fatwa against Egyptian heritage sites

Islam Web suggests that destruction of pyramids and sphinx were a “religious duty” that Egyptians must fulfill

A Qatari-owned online portal has issued a fatwa calling for the destruction of pharaonic monuments in Egypt, claiming that they are ‘contrary to Islam,’ Al Arabiya News reports.

Though the fatwa was first issued in December 2012, it has recently been picked up by social media and Egyptian newspapers.

The religious decree issued by Islam Web, suggested that the destruction of the monuments were a “religious duty” that Egyptians must fulfill.

“The demolition of the pyramids and the sphinx is a religious duty,” before referring to the monuments as “idols,” the statement read.

“(The destruction of) monuments is a duty by Sharia (Islamic) law, as many texts have stipulated … Texts on this issue are many and well-known but (implementing) them is restrained to one’s ability… And so, if it’s not possible to destroy the pyramids and the Sphinx as a result of the presence of an authority preventing that, Muslims would not be committing a sin,” it added.

In 2012, however, Egyptian scholars denounced any fatwa calling for the destruction of pharanoic monuments.

Under the radar

Islam Web is affiliated with the Qatari ministry of endowments, with Doha’s government website advising users seeking online fatwas to “enter the official website of Fatwa Center on Islam Web.”

In 2006, the portal came under the radar after issuing a fatwa permitting the burning of people to death.

Last month, the fatwa was reportedly removed from the site and retracted hours after the Islamic State (ISIS) burned Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh alive.

Islam Web has also attracted controversy for issuing a fatwa that legitimizes insulting Christianity, which was also widely reported on.