Muslims who were aspiring to hop onboard a one way trip to the red planet, recently had their hopes crushed. The General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowment has issued a fatwa on one way trips to Mars, prohibiting any such journey.
Taking part in a Mars mission is the dream of many people across the world. Muslims who were aspiring to hop onboard a one way trip to the red planet, recently had their hopes crushed.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowment has issued a fatwa on one way trips to Mars, prohibiting any such journey. The committee explained the reasoning behind the decision stating ‘Such a one-way journey poses a real risk to life, and that can never be justified in Islam…There is a possibility that an individual who travels to the planet Mars may not be able to remain alive there, and is more vulnerable to death.’
The fatwa appears to be a response to an announcement made last year by the Dutch firm, Mars One.
The company invited volunteers to sign up for a one way journey to Mars last year. The first expedition to the planet is scheduled for 2023.
Mars One hasn’t backed down since the committee issued the fatwa. A spokesperson for the firm pointed out that Muslims have a ‘rich tradition of exploration’ and said the planned mission would be as safe as possible.
