Al-Qaeda threat is serious: Al-Asheikh

Arab News â€"

JEDDAH: The grand mufti of Saudi Arabia yesterday urged citizens and residents to take the Al-Qaeda threat seriously and join hands with the Kingdom's security forces in defeating the group.

“The finding of weapons and dangerous explosives to carry out subversive acts and destroy economic installations... should not be taken lightly, said Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh.

The statement follows news last week of the arrest of 701 Al-Qaeda militants in the last six months for allegedly plotting to carry out terrorist attacks on oil facilities and other vital installations.

Al-Asheikh called on young Saudis not to be enticed by militants. He further demanded coordinated action from Saudis and residents to uncover members of the group.

In a nine-point statement, the mufti said the criminal acts planned by the militants would not come from the mind of a true believer, adding that these militants were acting as tools in the hands of the enemies of Islam and Saudi Arabia. Al-Asheikh, who is the Kingdom's highest religious authority, said Islam does not allow the killing of innocent people. He also cautioned Muslim youth against deviant ideologies whose proponents want to undermine the Kingdom's security.

“You should be aware that these militants, who claim to work for the cause of Islam and defend Muslims, actually hide their vested interests and vicious objectives, he said.

Al-Asheikh warned Saudis and residents against providing protection and refuge to militants.

Saturday 5 July 2008 (01 Rajab 1429)

Imams, preachers urged to help fight extremism

Arab News â€"

RIYADH: Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance Saleh Al-Asheikh lauded the efforts made by the Ministry of Interior to round up deviants and terror suspects.

-The discovery of terror plots and pre-emptive strikes on militants by the Interior Ministry have succeeded in protecting people's lives and properties. The ministry's action nipped in the bud terrorists' plan to create chaos," Al-Asheikh said in a statement commenting on the arrest of hundreds of Al-Qaeda cadres during the past several months who were plotting terror attacks on oil faci-lities and other vital installations.

The minister also emphasized the need for the society and religious establishments to join the fight against terrorism. He said not just the Kingdom but several other Muslim countries, were facing the problem.

-Some of our young people have taken to branding people, including religious leaders as heretics, the minister said. “Their negative propaganda and undue criticism of religious leaders should be countered effectively. We should also protect our young people from the reach of the proponents of deviant ideologies before they are influenced by them. The minister underlined the role of the society in countering extremism.

-The first responsibility lies with the family and then the imams at mosques, he said. "It is the duty of the imams and preachers to revive the role of mosques in protecting the youth from deviant ideologies. The mosques should take up the task of neutralizing the extremist ideologies. Extremism is, undoubtedly, far removed from the teachings of Islam, he said.

-The imams can protect the young people from being influenced by evil ideologies, and the preachers should take steps to guide them. The preachers should inform their parents, relatives and religious scholars about them so that they can be saved from the clutches of extremists. Our young people should love their Lord and obey Him and follow the Prophet (peace be upon him). They should adhere to the constructive social norms. The minister also cited the examples of the early Muslims who kept themselves aloof from extremist tendencies and movements.

The grand mufti had on Thursday urged citizens and residents to take the Al-Qaeda threat seriously and join hands with the Kingdom's security forces in defeating the group.