Head of Jordanian Ulema Association Abdul Rahman Al-Kilani: Since the Word 'Dhimmis' Offends Non-Muslims, We Should Say 'Citizens' Instead

In a TV interview, Abdul Rahman Al-Kilani, head of the Jordanian Ulema Association, said: "If the term [dhimmi] offends or hurts our non-Muslim brothers. let's exchange it and use the modern term 'citizenship,' which reflects the relations between all individuals in society, Muslims and non-Muslims." The interview aired on the Jordanian Yarmouk TV channel on June 12.

Al-Kilani: "Take the term dhimmis, which has become associated with inferiority, although it really means 'people with whom we have an agreement of protection,' and whom we are not allowed to harm or attack. Nevertheless, within the discussion of the meaning of the term, I say that if the word dhimmi has become a sensitive one for the non-Muslims living in a Muslim society, we are not obligated to continue to preserve the use of this word. These are just names and words, and it is inconceivable to turn them into a part of the religion and the shari'a.

"The well-known Tunisian scholar Tahir ibn Ashur would say that the laws are connected to meaning rather than to names. Therefore, if this term offends or hurts our non-Muslim brothers, let's exchange it and use the modern term 'citizenship,' which reflects the relations between all individuals in society, Muslim and non-Muslim."