Spain's Muslims speak out against Bin Laden

The recent fatwa issued by the Islamic Commission of Spain, which represents 1 million Spanish Muslims, comes as a delayed, yet still necessary response to the rise of fundamentalist groups like Al-Qaeda.

The fatwa said that according to the Quran "the terrorist acts of Osama bin Laden and his organization al Qaeida ... are totally banned and must be roundly condemned as part of Islam."

It added: "Inasmuch as Osama bin Laden and his organization defend terrorism as legal and try to base it on the Quran ... they are committing the crime of 'istihlal' and thus become apostates that should not be considered Muslims or treated as such."

Now more than ever, we are hearing the voice of moderate Muslims being amplified through the media. The Islamic world is coming closer everyday to outright rejection of terrorism because its citizens are finally realizing that terror is as much of a pestilence to them as it is to the West. It is keeping them from advancement into the modern age and full recognition among the respected nations of the world. This fatwa is merely one step in a series of steps towards that goal. More Muslim clergy around the world must mimic their Spanish counterparts, and do it fast. Because the more time they waste, the more recruits will be snatched up by terror groups to be brainwashed and set on a path of destruction.