According to the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR), Syrian women are happy that men will no longer be the only gender occupying the position of mufti. In June, according to IWPR, Arabic-language news sites reported that Grand Mufti Ahmed Badreddin Hassoun "announced that female graduates of Islamic law colleges are being trained to become muftis who will counsel women on religious matters." The IWPR Report "Women Want Female Muftis," also reported that Hasun "made it clear that female muftis would be appointed to the Iftaa Council," which can issue fatwahs (religious edicts). According to Alarabiya.net, Hassoun said, "The Prophet allowed women to issue fatwas and used to refer women to come to him and consult his wife Aisha." In Al Arabiya's report, "Women Train to be Muftis in Syria," an Islamic studies teacher, Hoda Habash was quoted as saying that this new initiative would be a step towards recognizing women's issues. Another great interesing link on Alarabiya.net about Sheikh Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun is the article, "Syrian Grand Mufti Says he is Sunni and Shiite." The highest jurist of Islamic law in Syria said that he felt affiliated to all the different denominations of Islam and that there's only one Islam , with no real contradictions between being Sunni or Shiite. He also argued (this was in a speech before the German parliament) that Holy Wars usually serve political ends only.