January 31, 2004
YOU WOULDN'T THINK IT NEEDED SAYING, BUT...:
Top Saudi Cleric Assails Terrorists (RAWYA RAGEH, 1/31/04, Associated Press)
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.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 possession of Muslims,'' he said.
A large number of the victims of suicide attacks in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iraq 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, a televised sermon watched by millions of Muslims in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.
The Osamists have done the seemingly impossible--bombed Saudi Arabia and Pakistan into getting serious about terrorism. Posted by Orrin Judd at January 31, 2004 5:20 PM
Maybe they are serious, maybe not. The problem with these reports is that there's always at least one other (and usually more) with a different intent e.g.
"Oh God, give victory to the mujahedeen [holy warriors] everywhere," al-Taleb said. "Give them victory in Palestine. Oh God, make the Muslims triumphant and destroy their enemies, and make this country and other Muslim countries safe. Oh God, inflict your wrath on the criminal Zionists."
as seen on rantburg
This is a Friday sermon during the Hajj.
Actions speak louder than words.
Posted by: alastair at January 31, 2004 7:55 PMYes, but the legitimate conflict with Israel is hardly the same as global terrorism.
Posted by: oj at January 31, 2004 8:09 PMAlthough the bombers in Jerusalem and Baghdad are doing their best to blur the distinction.
Posted by: David Cohen at January 31, 2004 8:43 PMThe bombers in Baghdad, so long as they target our military, are somewhat justified too--we did invade and overthrow them. Those are conflicts to be won by one side or the other. Random bombing of civilians is hardly part of a coherent conflict.
Posted by: oj at January 31, 2004 8:56 PM