Islamic Jurist Condemns Sculptures in Homes

Egypt's leading Islamic jurist has issued a fatwa that declares the exhibition of statues in homes un-Islamic. The religious edict by the grand mufti, Ali Gomaa, overturning a ruling issued more than 100 years ago, did not mention statues in museums or public places but aroused fears among art lovers that it might prompt extremists to attack thousands of ancient statues on view at tourist sites across the country, Agence France-Presse reported.