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girlwhowaspluggedout writes:
Hoping to be a pioneer on the Red Planet? First seek permission from your local cleric. Dubai's Khaleej Times reports that the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowment in the UAE has ruled that promoting or being involved in a one-way trip to Mars is prohibited by Islam. The fatwa appears to be a response to Mars One's call for volunteers to make the pioneering trip to the red planet.
According to the General Authority, 'Such a one-way journey poses a real risk to life, and that can never be justified in Islam. There is a possibility that an individual who travels to planet Mars may not be able to remain alive there, and is more vulnerable to death.' Because of the inherent dangers of the trip, those who choose to go there are likely to die for no 'righteous reason,' thus incurring 'punishment similar to that of suicide in the Hereafter.'
The Khaleej Times further states that the General Authority fears that some of the volunteers, among whom are 500 Saudis and other Arabs, may be interested in traveling to Mars to escape punishment or to avoid standing before Allah for judgment. The General Authority decreed that 'this is an absolutely baseless and unacceptable belief because not even an atom falls outside the purview of Allah, the Creator of everything.'"
[ED Note: Likening the one-way-ticket to suicide does make some theological sense, but I am saddened that the Authority does not consider space exploration a "righteous reason" to risk one's life. In times past, many great explorers hailed from Muslim societies, and were part of what made them great.]
(Score: 3, Insightful) by mhajicek on Thursday February 20 2014, @11:59AM
Don't most Muslims die on Earth for no righteous reason?
(Score: 5, Insightful) by Sir Garlon on Thursday February 20 2014, @12:08PM
Yes, but they don't choose that death. IANAM (I am Not a Muslim) but presumably it's the choice to do something that will lead to an un-righteous death that is theologically problematic. So, for example, dying of cancer is not a theological problem, but choosing euthanasia while suffering from cancer would be.
[Sir Garlon] is the marvellest knight who is now living, for he destroyeth many good knights, for he goeth invisible.
(Score: 1) by Buck Feta on Thursday February 20 2014, @12:21PM
>> dying of cancer is not a theological problem, but choosing euthanasia while suffering from cancer would be
Sounds like another few religions I could name.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday February 20 2014, @04:34PM
What about dying of suicide vest while suffering from Islam?
(Score: 1) by mojo chan on Thursday February 20 2014, @06:24PM
Wow. This is the first time I recognized the .sig of another Slashdot regular. Welcome aboard son.
const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
(Score: 2) by Sir Garlon on Thursday February 20 2014, @06:33PM
And your UID is *still* lower than mine! :-) I love your sig, by the way.
[Sir Garlon] is the marvellest knight who is now living, for he destroyeth many good knights, for he goeth invisible.
(Score: 1) by mojo chan on Thursday February 20 2014, @07:51PM
Thanks, the feeling is mutual :-)
const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)