RIYADH, 24 May 2003 — A leading mosque preacher in this city yesterday criticized those who commit acts of terrorism, saying such acts had nothing to do with the teachings of Islam.
The Riyadh imam’s criticism during Friday prayer service came as Saudi officials hold four men allegedly linked to Al-Qaeda group following the May 12 attacks on three residential compounds.
Tight security surrounded the Imam Turki ibn Abdullah Mosque — the Kingdom’s largest — where its grand mufti and preacher Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, delivered a 45-minute sermon to some 8,000 worshipers.
“Terrorism has nothing to do with Islam,” Al-Sheikh told the congregation. “Islam should not be blamed for acts of other people.
“People should be held responsible individually for their own acts.”
Following the prayer, worshiper Youssef Ahmed lashed out at the terrorists behind the Riyadh bombings.
“This bombing in Riyadh was not Islamic. I am very angry that actions of some nonbelievers are being linked with the teachings of the religion of peace,” Ahmed, a bearded man aged in his late 40s, told the Associated Press.
“All the worldwide destruction is not the work of true believers.”
In an opinion piece published yesterday in the online version of the Al-Riyadh daily, a Saudi judge, Abdel Rahman ibn Fayez Al-Harby, said Islam regarded aggression against innocents as among “the greatest of sins,” adding that such acts “only served the enemies of the (Islamic) nation (and) portrayed Muslims as murderers and criminals.”
Authorities have detained about 100 people since launching a sweeping crackdown on extremists following the attacks.
Saudi Arabia says it is taking all steps to avert terrorism.
“The Saudis are working very, very aggressively throughout the Kingdom,” a Western diplomat said.
