By Omar Shagaleh
ISTANBUL
The Qatar-based International Union for Muslim Scholars (IUMS) on Thursday said last week’s attempt by rogue elements within Turkey’s military to overthrow the elected government constituted a "Haram" -- or "religiously forbidden" -- act.
At a press conference held in Istanbul, IUMS members also described recent coups in Egypt and Yemen as "Haram".
In an Islamic context, "Haram" -- an Arabic word -- means "sinful" or "forbidden".
IUMS Secretary-General Ali al-Qaradaghi, for his part, hailed Turkey’s people and elected government for foiling the coup plot, which is believed to have been orchestrated by followers of U.S.-based cleric Fetullah Gulen.
Gulen and his followers have been accused of attempting to infiltrate Turkey’s vital state institutions -- especially the military, police apparatus and judiciary -- with the aim of creating a "parallel state".
Al-Qaradaghi also praised Turkey’s political parties, along with the government and other state institutions, for the role they played in safeguarding the country’s legitimate authorities from the coup plotters.
The IUMS, which has more than 100,000 members worldwide, also criticized the "double standards" shown by certain countries, which, the union asserted, had dragged their feet in condemning the coup before hastening to criticize Turkey’s response to the failed insurrection.
At least 246 people, including civilians and security personnel, were martyred -- and more than 1,500 injured -- during last week’s failed putsch attempt.
