RIYADH, 3 August 2005 — Prominent Islamic scholars of Saudi Arabia including Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, grand mufti, and Dr. Saleh Al-Wohaibi, secretary-general of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY), have called on Saudi citizens to pledge allegiance to newly proclaimed King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan.
Sheikh Abdul Aziz said: “It heartened us to see this marvelous agreement (within the ruling family) on pledging allegiance to King Abdullah as ruler of the Kingdom and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and on King Abdullah’s choice of his brother Sultan as crown prince.”
The grand mufti urged Saudis, in a statement, to follow in the footsteps of the Al-Saud ruling family, which on Monday proclaimed Abdullah as king. “We call on Muslims to pledge allegiance to them,” reiterated the grand mufti.
“We must pray to Allah to give strength and wisdom to King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan to lead the country,” said Dr. Al-Wohaibi, while offering his condolences on the sad demise of King Fahd.
The WAMY chief also called on the new king and the crown prince to promote the interests of Muslims, at a time when the image of Islam is being maligned and the whole world is fighting the menace of terrorism.
He said the overwhelming majority of Muslims are peace-loving and hospitable people irrespective whether they live in the US or in the Middle East. “Like all human beings, most Muslims decry human suffering and violence,” said the WAMY chief, while lauding the efforts and services of late King Fahd for Islam. He added that Muslims yearn for peace, friendship and a happy life. They share the same concerns and needs, which the whole world shares today.
“We pledge strong support for the new king and crown prince,” said Dr. Ibrahim Al-Quayid, a scholar and member of the National Society for Human Rights, yesterday. He said: “We have great expectations from King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan and we are hopeful that the two leaders will pursue the agenda of social and political change in the Kingdom.”
He lauded the efforts of King Abdullah, who travels widely throughout the Kingdom. During the course of 2004, King Abdullah, then the crown prince, inaugurated a number of projects not only in the capital city of Riyadh, but in Makkah and in Taif, as well as in the Eastern Province. Always mindful of the interests of the people, in 2005 he closely monitored the election process for the country’s municipal elections.
On the demise of King Fahd, Al-Quayid said: “Me and my generation are fortunate to live under the prosperous reign of King Fahd.
“Saudi Arabia under King Fahd poured billions into financing the construction of schools, health facilities, mosques and charitable organizations for the well being of Saudi citizens,” he said.
“Influenced by his father, founder of the modern Kingdom, King Abdul Aziz, King Fahd developed a profound respect for religion, history and the Arab heritage,” he said.
