Edict calls for holy war

BAGHDAD - About 500 Iraqi Muslim clerics and scholars issued a religious edict yesterday calling on Muslims to launch a holy war to "burn the earth under the feet" of the United States if it attacked Iraq.

"If, God forbid, the aggression takes place, declaring jihad against the evil American Administration is the duty of every able Muslim," said the fatwa, or edict.

It said the holy war should include enlisting to fight alongside Iraq, striking US interests and launching economic boycott of the United States and its allies.

"If they try to attack, they will find in every iota of sand, every mountain, plain and valley a fire that will burn the earth under their feet."

The clerics said attacking Iraq was part of the US war on Islam in Afghanistan and against the Palestinians. "Muslims: Your religion and your Islam calls on you to join the jihad alongside Iraq, the Iraq of the faithful ... "

- REUTERS

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