A fatwa against the illegal trade in Indonesia's endangered animals, such as tigers, rhinos, orangutans, elephants and other endangered species. It was issued by the country's highest Islamic authority, the Ulema council, and it is a historic and unique event of its kind.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him
A fatwa against Indonesia's illegal trade in endangered animals, such as tigers, rhinos, orangutans, elephants and other endangered species. It was issued by the country's highest Islamic authority, the Ulema council, and it is a historic and unique event of its kind.
The fatwa, which means advisory opinion and is the answer given to a qāḍī, a Muslim judge, by a jurisperist (faqīh) on a question presented to him to find out if a given case is regulated by Sharīʿa and what are the methods to apply the provision, declares such activities "unethical, immoral and sinful", has explained the secretary of the Ulema Council, Asrorun Ni'am Sholeh, in AFP.
“All activities related to the extinction of wildlife, without justified religious reasons or legal provisions are“ haram ”(prohibited). This includes illegal hunting and trade in endangered animals, Sholeh said. Whoever takes away a life kills a generation. This not only applies to human beings, but also includes other living creatures of God, especially if they die in vain ”.
The country, of 250 million inhabitants, is the most populous Muslim nation in the world, but it is unclear whether the fatwa will have any practical impact. Indonesia's immense and unique biodiversity is under increasing pressure, also due to the development of agricultural activities related to palm oil. E Palm oil, by now we know it well, rhymes with wild deforestation and loss of key habitats.
The government, however, generally does not react to the responses of lawyers by implementing specific policy changes. But for the communications manager of WWF Indonesia, Nyoman Iswara Yoga, this fatwa is still a very important event, "a positive step forward". “Provides a spiritual aspect and increases moral awareness, which will help us in our work to protect and save the remaining wildlife in the country, such as critically endangered tigers and rhinos, ”concludes Iswara Yoga.
Roberta Ragni
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