IUMS Mourns Victims in Turkey and Syria, Calls Rescue Efforts a 'Religious Duty'

In an official statement, the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) has expressed its profound sorrow for the victims of the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Calling it a "religious duty," the Union urged Islamic nations and charitable organizations to provide immediate aid to those affected.

The statement, issued on Monday, February 6, 2023, by Secretary-General Professor Dr. Ali al-Qaradaghi, read: "The Union extends its condolences to the afflicted peoples of Turkey and Syria. We ask God Almighty to encompass the victims in His vast mercy and grant them paradise, and to bestow patience upon the hearts of their grieving families, while sending a swift recovery to the wounded."

The Union, noting the earthquake's magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter scale, strongly emphasized the religious obligation of Muslims to aid their brethren. "We call upon Islamic states, humanitarian charitable institutions, and philanthropists to fulfill their religious duty by coming to the aid of those affected and offering a collective hand of support through the collection of zakat, charity, and donations," the statement declared.

In closing, the statement invoked the Quranic verse, "The believers are but brothers" (Al-Hujurat: 10), and a saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): "The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion, and sympathy are just like one body. If one of its organs suffers, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever."