New Report Examines Muslim Duty Towards Prisoners

London – CAGE International has released a new report that explores the duty of the global Muslim community towards Muslim prisoners, particularly those held for political reasons.

The report, titled Discharging the Obligation: Muslim Captives and the Principle of Sufficiency in a Globalised World, examines the Qur’anic and Prophetic basis for freeing captives, including the definitions of Al-Asir (prisoner of war), Al-Aani (detainee), and Al-Riqab (bondage), and how these apply to modern-day political prisoners and detainees.

It highlights the collective obligation (Fard Al-Kifaya) upon Muslims to actively work towards the release of captives and urges Muslim communities in the West—who tend to have greater access to resources—to play a greater role and effectively use their privileged position to advocate for the release and wellbeing of Muslim prisoners.

With increasing global repression against Muslims, from the continuing moral stain of Guantanamo Bay to secret prisons across the world, the report argues that Muslim captives are a litmus test for the health of the Ummah. It calls for a renewed commitment to an Ummah-led advocacy, support, and legal efforts to secure the release of those unjustly imprisoned.