Jordan's parliament passes controversial law on Islamic judgements

Deutsche Presse Agentur
Published: Monday September 25, 2006

Amman- The Jordanian parliament on Monday passed a controversial law that imposes restrictions on clerics not appointed by the government from issuing fatwas (Islamic judgements). The vote at the House of Representatives followed a walkout from the chamber by 15 deputies of the Islamic Action Front (IAF), the country's largest political party, who dubbed the vote "unconstitutional" and accused the government of "putting pressure" on lawmakers to pass the legislation.

The new law "prevents anybody from issuing fatwas or criticizing judgements issued by the house or the mufti (the country's highest cleric)."

According to observers, the new law was designed to curtail the influence of Islamists in the country.

"The passing of the law in its present form will only harm the country's reputation," head of the IAF parliamentary bloc in the lower house of parliament, Azzam Huneidi said.

He said the law would merely enhance the popularity of Islamists.

© 2006 DPA - Deutsche Presse-Agenteur