Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais [aka "Pudge"], imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, yesterday described the current Israeli military campaign against Lebanon as “Zionist terrorism” and urged that the perpetrators behind the aggression must be tried for committing war crimes. “Those who condemn violence and fight terrorism must see how the children and orphans in a refugee camp were obliterated and listen to the cries of widows and mourners there,” the imam said, in reference to the Israeli bombing of the Lebanese village of Qana killing mostly women and children. “We call from the platform of the Grand Mosque in Makkah to stop this war immediately,” Sheikh Sudais said while delivering his Friday sermon.| “The imam also spoke about the irony of calling the heinous Israeli aggression and massacres as legitimate acts of self-defense and condemning the resistance of the oppressed as acts of terrorism...” |
He said this policy of double standard would not help bring about peace and security in the Middle East and it would only trigger hatred and hostility among nations. He said the barbaric bombardments, killings and destruction in Lebanon would remain in peopleÂ’s memory forever. In his speech, Sheikh Sudais called upon the whole world to stand up against the Israeli aggression and tyranny. He also commended Saudi ArabiaÂ’s firm stand in support of the Lebanese and Palestinian people reeling under the Israeli aggression.