This review reports the main fatwas [religious-legal rulings] issued in response to readers’ questions by Minbar Al-Tawhid wal-Jihad, the Web site of Salafist ideologue Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi. In May and June 2013, Sheikh Shanqiti ruled as follows:
• Mullah Muhammad Omar, the leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, is today considered the head of the Muslim Nation, and Al-Qaeda leader Sheikh Ayman al-Zawahiri is his underling. • All secular people are automatically considered infidels.• It is permissible to commit a suicide attack against Hezbollah in an effort to reduce harm to women and children.• One must not take sides in the internal conflict in Egypt.• Money obtained from infidels may be used for jihad.