Update: According to a comment we received, the fatwa that was discussed in this article doesn’t really exist. The cleric has denied giving it and AlterNet has published an apology and retracted the story.
A religious ordinance, or fatwa, has been issued by a prominent Saudi cleric that calls for the gang rape of Syrian women. The cleric cited frustration that “warriors of Islam” who are fighting in Syria could be getting tired because of the lack of sexual pleasure. As a result of this, the cleric ordered a decree promoting hours-long “intercourse marriages,” according to AlterNet.
The cleric is Muhammed al-Arifi, a lead jihadist religious figure. al-Arifi made sure that his edict was clear in that he called for gang rape of Syrian women and girls. He also noted that the “intercourse marriages” last just a couple of hours “in order to give each fighter a turn.” The cleric said that any female over the age of 14 who are divorced or widowed are eligible.
The cleric was banned recently from entering into Switzerland or taking part in the Swiss Islamic Council for advocating violence against women. The decree coming from the cleric happens at a time when protests and anger over violence against women has taken new heights in India. One woman who was raped and beaten on a New Delhi bus passed away recently. A teen victim of a gang rape committed suicide when police told her to marry one of her attackers.
The alleged fatwa does not exist. He has denied it, and there’s no evidence it actually exists. AlterNet has published an apology and retracted the story.