Among the more politically ambitious elements of the ruling is a call for Arab and Islamic countries to "form a consolidated military coalition to safeguard Islamic territories," which the council characterizes as "an imperative obligation that permits no postponement."
The fatwa also deals with geopolitical aspects, calling on nations maintaining diplomatic connections with Israel to "reassess these agreements and exert pressure accordingly,” and explicitly forbidding "normalization with the Zionist occupying entity in any form.
Despite the IUMS’s wide-reaching influence and central role in the world of Islamist movements, others were more hesitant towards the edict.
For instance, Egypt’s Dar Al-Ifta, the country’s Islamic advisory and governmental body, claimed that, according to Sharia, "those who call for armed Jihad must also take part in it personally"
adding that "the call for jihad without taking into account the capabilities of the nation and its political, military and economic reality is an irresponsible call that contradicts the principles of Islamic law."
