Spain: Spain's leading Islamic body has issued a religious order declaring Osama bin Laden to have forsaken Islam by backing attacks such as the Madrid train bombings a year ago.
The Islamic Commission of Spain timed its "fatwa" to coincide with the first anniversary of last year's attacks, which killed 191 people and were claimed by al-Qaeda.
Commission secretary general Mansur Escudero said the fatwa had moral, rather than legal, weight and would serve as a guide for Muslims.
"We declare . . . that Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaeda organisation, responsible for the horrendous crimes against innocent people who were despicably murdered in the March 11th terrorist attack in Madrid, are outside the parameters of Islam," the commission said.
It said the Koran barred Muslims from committing crimes against innocent people.
The commission is the top Islamic body in Spain. Its leaders are elected by an assembly and represent the Muslim community in talks with the Spanish government.
Most of the 42 suspects held in connection with the investigation are of Moroccan origin, who investigators say were committed to "holy war" against the west.
"The terrorist acts of Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaeda organisation . . . which result in the death of civilians, such as women and children, are totally prohibited and are the object of strong condemnation within Islam," the commission said in a statement, citing extensively from religious texts.
It issued its fatwa as Spaniards paid tribute to the dead. At Madrid's main mosque, worshippers observed a minute's silence before prayers yesterday, and Morocco's King Mohammed attended a wreath-laying ceremony.
At least half a million Muslims live in Spain.
Bin Laden's claim to recover al Andalus - the Arabic term for Spain during the nearly 800 years parts of the country were under Moorish rule - "totally contradicts God's will", the commission said. - (Reuters)