RIYADH, 28 May 2003 — The World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) has warned young Muslims against a “deviant group” that “has strayed from the right path and does not represent the youth of this country.”
In a statement released here, Dr. Saleh Al-Wohaibi, secretary-general of WAMY, stressed that the time had come when they should “stand united against the dangers (facing the community) and alert young Muslims against those spreading this harmful ideology.”
Expressing the organization’s deep regrets over “the criminal acts that occurred on the night of May 12 in Riyadh, followed by a similar one on May 17 in Casablanca, Morocco,” Dr. Al-Wohaibi said they violated the teachings of Islam and the Prophet (peace be upon him), as Islam sought to end all types of oppression and to spread mercy and forbearance.
The secretary-general said WAMY backed government efforts to safeguard the security and stability of the country “and reaffirms its trust that the government is fully capable of combating such offenders and protecting the country from their misdeeds.”
WAMY called upon Muslim countries to pay special attention to the young. “The problems of the young should be addressed, and they should not be exposed to the false ideologies of evil forces. We also urge Muslim scholars to foster close relations with young Muslims and communicate with them. They should listen to their grievances and problems and try to answer them from an Islamic perspective.”
He said WAMY, an international organization with a network of 96 branches and around 490 associate members, was trying to guide young Muslims toward being a well-balanced and moderate force. “They should be kind without being weak, strong without being cruel, and imbued with a real desire to help others as well as guide them along the path of righteousness.”
The WAMY secretary-general said the organization, through its camps, desired to promote understanding among people of different backgrounds and points of view and clear up misunderstandings about Islam.
Dr. Al-Wohaibi condemned the use of violence and reliance on the law of the jungle and stressed the importance of dialogue and respect for international law. “Therefore, we appeal to the United States and the countries of the European Union and all peace-loving countries to assume their responsibility toward the implementation of international justice and putting an end to the aggression against the Muslim countries in general and Palestinians in particular. Violence and aggression always create hatred and enmity, besides inflaming desire for revenge,” he added.
