DAMMAM, 18 November 2003 — Sheikh Ali Al-Khudair, a well-known Saudi scholar who was arrested in Madinah for supporting terrorist attacks, has repented.
He also denounced the terrorist attacks in Makkah and Riyadh.
In an interview with Saudi television, the scholar said the militants carried out the explosions because of their ignorance of Islamic teachings. “The life and property of non-Muslims in the Kingdom are under state protection and must not be attacked,” he added.
Al-Khudair said the bombing of the Al-Muhaya Compound in Riyadh which killed at least 18 people including women and children had tarnished the image of Islam and harmed dawa work. He expressed his deep sorrow for issuing fatwas that incited terror attacks.
He also withdrew fatwas he had issued declaring infidel Saudi thinkers Turki Al-Hamad, Mansour Al-Naqeedan and Abdullah Abusamh.
Al-Khudair’s statement signals a major turnabout in the attitude of scholars supporting Al-Qaeda, and observers expect other scholars to follow suit.
News of the interview with Al-Khudair, conducted by Sheikh Aaid Al-Qarni, spread quickly throughout the Kingdom. Al-Khudair had earlier issued edicts declaring attacks against Saudi security forces halal or permissible.
He had also praised the 19 terror suspects wanted by Saudi security authorities and acknowledged his relation with some of them. In the interview, Al-Khudair declared only rulers were in a position to declare jihad.
“It is not allowed to rise up against rulers unless they commit flagrant violations against Shariah,” he said.
