Top Saudi Cleric Assails Terrorists

AP/YAHOO News ^ | February 1, 2004 | RAWYA RAGEH

[Luis Gonzalez]

MOUNT ARAFAT, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia's top cleric called on Muslims around the world Saturday to forsake terrorism, saying those who claim to be holy warriors were an affront to the faith.

AP Photo

(AP Video)

In a sermon that was remarkable not only for its strong language but also its timing — at the peak of the annual hajj — Sheik Abdul Aziz al-Sheik told 2 million pilgrims that terrorists were giving their enemies an excuse to criticize Muslim nations.

"Is it holy war to shed Muslim blood? Is it holy war to shed the blood of non-Muslims given sanctuary in Muslim lands? Is it holy war to destroy the possessions of Muslims?" he asked.

A large number of the victims of suicide attacks in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iraq (news - web sites) and elsewhere have been been Muslims.

Al-Sheik, who is widely respected in the Arab world as the foremost cleric in the country considered the birthplace of Islam, spoke at Namira Mosque in a televised sermon watched by millions of Muslims in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.

The mosque is close to Mount Arafat, where the pilgrims converged Saturday for the climax of their annual trek. This year's hajj has been carried out amid heightened security after a year of terror attacks in the kingdom.

In speaking of terrorists who killed fellow Muslims, al-Sheik was clearly referring to the Prophet Muhammad's final sermon, delivered on Mount Arafat 14 centuries ago.

It contained the line: "Know that every Muslim is a Muslim's brother, and the Muslims are brethren. Fighting between them should be avoided."

Al-Sheik also criticized the international community, accusing it of attacking Wahhabism, the sect whose strict interpretation of Islam is followed in Saudi Arabia.

"This country is based on this religion and will remain steadfast on it," he said.

"Islam forbids all forms of injustice, killing without just cause, treachery ... hijacking of planes, boats and transportation means," he said.

Saudi Arabia came under Western pressure after the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States, in which 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudi citizens.

The Saudi government conducted a crackdown on extremist groups after suicide bombers attacked housing compounds inhabited by foreigners in May. Saudi and U.S. officials blamed the attack, and a similar suicide bombing in November, on groups linked to al-Qaida, which is led by the Saudi-born Osama bin Laden (news - web sites).

On Thursday, suspected terrorists shot dead six Saudi security personnel in a shootout in a house in suburban Riyadh.

In total last year, bombings in Saudi Arabia killed 51 people, including eight Americans. Saudi and U.S. officials have blamed the bin Laden's al-Qaida network. Bin Laden is a Saudi exile.

U.S. officials have been encouraging Saudis to crack down on financing for terrorism via religious charities and curtail teaching of religious extremism in schools as well as mount a campaign to undercut popular support al-Qaida.

Liberal intellectuals in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait also called for such revisions in the teaching of Islam in schools and mosques.

Governments in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan have taken steps toward purging school books of terms offensive to other religions, and reformers argue that change should start by lessening the religious grip on education.

Al-Sheik warned against "changing the religion's basics" in school curricula.

"The minds of youth in the Islamic nation need to be shielded with Islamic sharia (law) and good manners and deeds. The nation's future generations will only be reformed by what reformed the past generations," he said.

Pilgrim Mustafa al-Shawwaf, a Canadian of Syrian origin, said he agreed that terrorists had tarnished Islam. He criticized Muslim fundamentalists, including the Wahhabis, for practicing an exclusive form of the faith.

"Such rigidity of thought needs to be changed," he said.

The pilgrims arrived at Mount Arafat in the early hours of Saturday. Worshippers of all ages and origins, moving slowly, shoulder-to-shoulder, shaded themselves from the sun with white umbrellas, chanting in unison "at thy service, at thy service, oh God."

Emergency workers directed the crowd as it converged 12 miles southwest of Mecca, in a ritual believed to represent the Day of Judgment, when Islam says every person will stand before Allah, or God, and answer for his deeds.

Temperatures approached 86 degrees. The sunshine made parasols a popular purchase at $1.30 each, and street vendors sold fruit, prayer mats and drinks. Along the path to Mount Arafat, sprinklers mounted on poles cooled worshippers. Free water and milk were handed out.

"This is the worst day for the devil, when he sees thousands of Muslims gathered in such a show of force and piety," said Egyptian Abdel Aziz al-Jezairi.

Fatima Farouk, a Nigerian, said that despite the demanding journey, she was thrilled "because after Mount Arafat, you're almost promised heaven."

[Bobby777]

Governments in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan have taken steps toward purging school books of terms offensive to other religions

they aren't changing the qur'an of course ... and that's the basis for their societies ...

[3.85] "And whoever desires a religion other than Islam, it shall not be accepted from him, and in the hereafter he shall be one of the losers."

The Dinner Table - [5.51] O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Hey Bobby, are Christians taught by The Bible to accept religions other than Christianity?

[truth_seeker]

I'm never sure that these clerics are broadly denouncing all terrorism, or just commenting that it is wrong to kill muslims, and to be more careful.

I don't trust any of them. I don't think they can trust each other, for their cultures and religion value lying.

[Luis Gonzalez]

What do you make of this?

Wahabbis feeling pressured?

[Rollee]

"Islam forbids all forms of injustice, killing without just cause, treachery ... hijacking of planes, boats and transportation means," he said.

He meant to say "islam forbids all forms of injustice ...boats and transportation means, to Muslims".

It is too much to hope that any of them would criticize islamic treatment of Christians, Jews, Westerners and any other "unbeliever".

[Luis Gonzalez]

I know, but I think the fact that the message went out at the time and place that it was delivered says something.

I see this guy doing both dennouncing terrorism, and exposing the "Holy warriors" as killers of Muslims as well.

[Angelus Errare]

This needs to be read alongside this:

http://tampatrib.com/News/MGAP6FJ93QD.html

The Wahhabis normally tone down their rhetoric during the hajj, it's too big of a cash crop for them not to do otherwise or moderate Muslim nations will stop allowing pilgrims to travel there. However, it seems that they still love us down in the Magic Kingdom as much as they did on 9/11.

[Angelus Errare]

Also keep in mind that both of these clerics get their marching orders from Prince Nayef and the Interior Ministry, the same guy who believes that the Jews were behind 9/11. All Saudi clerics are government employees and as such what they say carries with it the tacit approval of the Saudi government.

[highlander_UW]

"The minds of youth in the Islamic nation need to be shielded with Islamic sharia (law) and good manners and deeds. The nation's future generations will only be reformed by what reformed the past generations," he said.

And we've seen plenty of positive effect and movement from all that previous reform.

[Bobby777]

Thanks for asking. By the New Testament, Christians are ordered to evanglize when possible but called to contend for the Faith in Christ. If someone is not interested, Christians are not to use force to convert them, since it would result in a false conversion anyway. However, many ecumenical forces today promulgate the theory that there is little difference between the faiths ... there is a huge difference, fundamentally, and that will never change ...

And for that reason, from time-to-time I post these things for they are irreconcilable ... that's why this drama playing out before our eyes is much larger than a political or societal agenda ... it is a showdown between the God of the Bible and allah of the qur'an ... they are diametrically opposed ... as surah 5.51 clearly delineates ...

I'm not happy to report it, but it will not end well ... 9/11 was simply the precursor and confirmation of such ... either Islam must change fundamentally, i.e. abandoning that book, or the clashed will continue ... it's a certainty ...

[Luis Gonzalez]

"...And nearest among them in love to the believers wilt thou find those who say: 'We are Christians': because among these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world. And they are not arrogant." (The Holy Quran 5:82)

[Bobby777]

no offense, but have you converted to Islam recently? (I thought you were a Christian, perhaps I was mistaken) ...

[Bobby777]

FReepmail me if you'd like to be on or off this ping list ...

[Bobby777]

"evanglize" s/b "evangelize" in #11

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

[Sheik Abdul Aziz al-Sheik told 2 million pilgrims that terrorists were giving their enemies an excuse to criticize Muslim nations.

"Is it holy war to shed Muslim blood? Is it holy war to shed the blood of non-Muslims given sanctuary in Muslim lands? Is it holy war to destroy the possessions of Muslims?" he asked.]

Nothing about murdering innocent children, women, and men being simply wrong. Oh well, I'll give him points for at least raising the issue, even though it was with a selfish point of view.

[Bobby777]

[9.5] So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush, then if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free to them; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

".... I will instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers, Smite ye above their necks [CUT OFF THEIR HEADS], and smite all their finger tips of them [CUT OFF THEIR FINGERS]." - Koran 8: 12

"The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and his messenger and strive after corruption in the land will be to be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet and genitals cut off, or to be expelled out of the land. Such will be their humiliation in the world, and in the next world they will face an awful horror." - Koran, 5:33-34)

"Prophet, make war on the unbelievers and the hypocrites, and deal rigorously with them. Hell shall be their home: an evil fate." - Koran 9: 73

[tessalu]

I think the devil really laughs at ignorant people thowing little pebbles at him, and it is probably one of his biggest jokes of the year. It is really a sad story.

[Bobby777]

as you say, can stones be used against a supernatural being?

I think not ...

[Luis Gonzalez]

I am a Christian, I just pointed out the obvious...Islam is contradictory, and like any religious book, including the Bible, it can be parsed and twisted beyond its meaning.