Sheikh Qaradawi: "martyrdom operations are not suicidal operations “

Al-Khalil, April 26, IRNA -- One of the Islamic world's most outspoke Alim (scholar) has defended the "martyrdom operations" launched by Palestinian Islamic fighters against the racist Zionist regime in Palestine.

The Qatari newspaper, al Raya, quoted Sheikh Yousef al-Qaradawi on Wednesday as saying that "these operations are permissible and commendable in Islam." "These martyrdom operations are considered among the greatest form of holy struggle against oppression," said Qaradawi, who is considered among the most knowledgeable Islamic thinkers in the Muslim world today. He pointed out that Muslims shouldn't be misled into using inaccurate western phraseology to describe Islamic acts of Jihad. "These are not suicidal operations, these are heroic martyrdom operations, and the heroes who carry them out don't embark on this action out of hopelessness and despair, but are driven by an overwhelming desire to cast terror and fear in the hearts of the oppressors,'' he stressed. Qaradawi pointed out that "this is the only language the Jews understand. If you don't resist them with force, they will kill you, destroy your home, and expel you from your homeland."