Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Sunday Morning
Interview With Mamoun Fandy
Aired March 16, 2003 - 07:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to talk more on the possible threat to U.S. troops from possible suicide attacks by Hezbollah. We're joined now by a Middle East scholar, Mamoun Fandy. He is in our Washington bureau.
Thanks very much for joining us, Mamoun. How likely do you think that is, that scenario is? Suicide attacks by Hezbollah against U.S. troops, U.S. forces?
MAMOUN FANDY, MIDDLE EASTERN SCHOLAR: Well, I mean, Hezbollah is far away. I think what's dangerous about what Sheikh Mazerella (ph) was saying, the leader of Hezbollah, is part of a general atmosphere that's taken place in the Arab world now, which is an atmosphere of fatwahs and religious renderings that calling on Muslims to fight against U.S. forces. And what is dangerous is that these fatwahs are coming from Egypt, from Saudi Arabia, from Kuwait and a variety of places that's contaminating the whole atmosphere and creating security nightmare for protection.
COOPER: There is a line of thought, and an argument which says that a possible U.S. action against Iraq would actually cow Hezbelloh to some degree, that it would actually limit their willingness, their eagerness to be so active. Your thoughts?
FANDY: Well, I think it depends on the outcome. I think if the force is decisive and used decisively, I think it might make a lot of difference to talk some sense to this reckless atmosphere of issuing fatwahs to attack (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in the region, but if the water gets terribly muddy in Iraq, then there is -- they sew the seeds for chaos.
COOPER: Of all the groups which are issuing fatwahs, I mean, which is of most concern? Is it Hezbollah? Is it -- who else is out there?
FANDY: Well, I think I would be very concerned about Sheikh Karladawi (ph) who is a senior leader of the Muslim brotherhood. He lives in Qatar. He's sort of the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) of Al Jazeera, very popular. And he issued a fatwah recently, you know, calling on all Muslims A, to deny access to the United States, as well as fight against U.S. forces in the region. So this is a place where CENTCOM has relocated, Center of Command has relocated from Florida to launch the operations from Qatar. So that's miles away from the U.S. forces.
And also now I am concerned about fatwahs coming from al Azar (ph), which used to be a very respectable institution. Now it's going into sort of recklessness about issuing fatwahs, about even citizenship. Muslims will become citizen of Western countries.
COOPER: And I mean, how does it work? Can any sheikh issue a fatwah? How -- what is the process that these things come about?
FANDY: Well, unfortunately, I mean it's not like Catholicism where one man renders a fatwah. It -- now it's really sort of right now depends on popularity, as well as association with specific institutions. Al Hazari (ph) are situated with the state of Egypt. The religious institutions in Saudi Arabia, for instance, are very powerful, but most of these people who are issuing fatwah, now with the coming of the Internet, you got fatwah online from variety of groups.
So fatwahs seem to have lost right now its value, because there are so many of them now flying in the region.
COOPER: Yes, it is hard to keep track, a scary thought. Mamoun Fandy in Washington, appreciate you joining us. Thanks very much.
FANDY: Thank you, Anderson.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired March 16, 2003 - 07:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to talk more on the possible threat to U.S. troops from possible suicide attacks by Hezbollah. We're joined now by a Middle East scholar, Mamoun Fandy. He is in our Washington bureau.
Thanks very much for joining us, Mamoun. How likely do you think that is, that scenario is? Suicide attacks by Hezbollah against U.S. troops, U.S. forces?
MAMOUN FANDY, MIDDLE EASTERN SCHOLAR: Well, I mean, Hezbollah is far away. I think what's dangerous about what Sheikh Mazerella (ph) was saying, the leader of Hezbollah, is part of a general atmosphere that's taken place in the Arab world now, which is an atmosphere of fatwahs and religious renderings that calling on Muslims to fight against U.S. forces. And what is dangerous is that these fatwahs are coming from Egypt, from Saudi Arabia, from Kuwait and a variety of places that's contaminating the whole atmosphere and creating security nightmare for protection.
COOPER: There is a line of thought, and an argument which says that a possible U.S. action against Iraq would actually cow Hezbelloh to some degree, that it would actually limit their willingness, their eagerness to be so active. Your thoughts?
FANDY: Well, I think it depends on the outcome. I think if the force is decisive and used decisively, I think it might make a lot of difference to talk some sense to this reckless atmosphere of issuing fatwahs to attack (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in the region, but if the water gets terribly muddy in Iraq, then there is -- they sew the seeds for chaos.
COOPER: Of all the groups which are issuing fatwahs, I mean, which is of most concern? Is it Hezbollah? Is it -- who else is out there?
FANDY: Well, I think I would be very concerned about Sheikh Karladawi (ph) who is a senior leader of the Muslim brotherhood. He lives in Qatar. He's sort of the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) of Al Jazeera, very popular. And he issued a fatwah recently, you know, calling on all Muslims A, to deny access to the United States, as well as fight against U.S. forces in the region. So this is a place where CENTCOM has relocated, Center of Command has relocated from Florida to launch the operations from Qatar. So that's miles away from the U.S. forces.
And also now I am concerned about fatwahs coming from al Azar (ph), which used to be a very respectable institution. Now it's going into sort of recklessness about issuing fatwahs, about even citizenship. Muslims will become citizen of Western countries.
COOPER: And I mean, how does it work? Can any sheikh issue a fatwah? How -- what is the process that these things come about?
FANDY: Well, unfortunately, I mean it's not like Catholicism where one man renders a fatwah. It -- now it's really sort of right now depends on popularity, as well as association with specific institutions. Al Hazari (ph) are situated with the state of Egypt. The religious institutions in Saudi Arabia, for instance, are very powerful, but most of these people who are issuing fatwah, now with the coming of the Internet, you got fatwah online from variety of groups.
So fatwahs seem to have lost right now its value, because there are so many of them now flying in the region.
COOPER: Yes, it is hard to keep track, a scary thought. Mamoun Fandy in Washington, appreciate you joining us. Thanks very much.
FANDY: Thank you, Anderson.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
