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Arabia
Saudi cleric urges Muslims to shun radicalism
2003-08-22
Saudi Arabia’s highest religious authority urged Muslims on Thursday to shun extremism and avoid waging unjustified jihad (holy struggle) as the kingdom cracks down on Islamist militants believed linked to Al Qaeda.
Define "unjustified"...
In a lengthy statement carried on the official Saudi Press Agency, Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul-Aziz al-Sheikh told Saudis to listen to their religious authorities and ignore fanatic interpretations of Islam or risk “banning God’s bounty”. “One of the fall-outs from extremism in understanding Islam is that some people call for jihad for the sake of God without justification,” Sheikh Abdul-Aziz said. Saudi Arabia’s powerful religious establishment has been accused in the West of breeding militancy and hatred towards Christians and Jews. Senior clerics have also taken to the media to preach moderation among Saudis. “These people want to raise the banner of jihad to draw the youth into their ranks and not to fight for God,” Sheikh Abdul-Aziz said. “Muslim youth must try and better themselves and their country but not through violence as Islam is not a violent religion, it is a merciful religion.”
Posted by:Fred Pruitt

#8  I obviously made a poor joke.

Oh, well, I'll try again some time.

I think Charles is busy posting death cult pics.
Posted by: Anonymous   2003-8-22 12:59:22 PM  

#7  
Islam is not a violent religion, it is a merciful religion.”

WHOA!
I almost stepped in that pile of bullshit.
Steer clear, people.
Posted by: Celissa   2003-8-22 11:01:11 AM  

#6  I'm with Fred: I'll believe it will be taking effect when Charles at LGF can't find material for the weekly Religion of Peace Sermon summary he posts on fridays five weeks in a row.
Posted by: Ptah   2003-8-22 9:16:54 AM  

#5  The Grand Mufti is the guy they trot out regularly to call for moderation. Nobody pays any attention to him. Watch the sermons in Mecca. MEMRI carries translations periodically, and Charles Johnson used to blog them regularly.
Posted by: Fred   2003-8-22 8:39:35 AM  

#4  i meant more "liberal" rules as in: looser, less restrictive rules of engagement. More ability to protect the nascent state.
Posted by: Anon1   2003-8-22 2:52:27 AM  

#3  Anon, the Liberal rules of engagement consist of bombing power-plants and tylenol factories.

Posted by: Charles   2003-8-22 2:02:24 AM  

#2  OK, who are you and what have you done w/the Grand Mufti?
Posted by: Anonymous   2003-8-22 1:10:20 AM  

#1  welcome to the benefits of the "disastrous" (this morning's SMH had a lovely opinion piece whining about how it is a complete disaster) occupation of Iraq:

The Saudis actually are forced to crack down on their extremist elements and change their culture: otherwise we will change it for them!
hahahahaha
I think the mission in Iraq has been a complete success.

I complement the USA and Allies on their swift victory and I wish them success in building a country that will be the 'threat of the good example' in the middle east.

Most of all I hope the USA does occupation strongly and hardly not namby pambily weakly to pander to the bleeding-heart numbnuts at home. Otherwise it WILL end up the complete disaster.

More troops and more liberal rules of engagement please! Crush any resistance before it can organise. It's the only way to change the cycle of power in an Arab nation used to despotism.
Posted by: Anon1   2003-8-22 12:25:06 AM  

00:00