THE TELEGRAPH: The world's first Islamic helpline has opened in Abu Dhabi, to help Muslims solve their religious dilemmas.
A team of 48 muftis man the telephones from 8am until 8pm delivering fatwas, or formal rulings based on Islamic law.
The service is used by Muslims all over the world, and organisers say it takes about 3,700 calls a day, including queries from Britain.
Mufti Abdulrahman Ammoura, 48, is more accustomed to dispensing advice at a mosque, but he joined the helpline staff to reach a wider audience.
He said: "The hardest questions I am asked involve sex. I feel shame, but I have to answer the questions because it is my duty."
One recent dilemma came from a married woman whose alcoholic husband had turned violent, hitting her and forcing her to have sex. She wanted to know if she should seek a divorce.
Mr Ammoura told the Times: "I said, 'No - it is better for him to find help'. A woman living alone with children could face too many problems."
His advice now counts as an official fatwa in the United Arab Emirates, under new rules issued by the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments.
The UAE Government established the call centre three months ago in an attempt to root out extreme interpretations of Islam.
All fatwas issued through the call centre comply with the Government's moderate religious stance. Any others are considered invalid instructions. World's First Islamic Helpline Dispenses Fatwas to Troubled Muslims >>> By Lucy Cockcroft | October 10, 2008
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