JEDDAH, 23 May 2004 — Crown Prince Abdullah yesterday urged university teachers and imams to provide proper guidance to Saudi youth. “You are men of knowledge and it is your duty to provide guidance to our children. You have to convince them of their religious and national responsibilities,” he said at a reception for staff of King Saud University in Qasim.
Prince Abdullah said some imams were not telling the truth about terror suspects. “Why are (the militants) killing security officers who protect their religion and the nation?” he asked.
He also urged Saudis to give security forces their full support. “It is the duty of everybody to support the armed forces as well as security men who are carrying out their national and religious responsibility,” he said.
Prince Abdullah commended the efforts of security forces in hunting down suspected terrorists.
“The father of one officer who was killed in a gun battle with terrorists came and told me that his son sacrificed his life for the country. This is patriotism and morality,” the crown prince said.
Prince Abdullah urged the public to be vocal in their opposition to terrorism.
“Those who keep silent will be considered part of the deviant group,” he said. “They are your enemies as well as those of Islam, the nation and humanity.”
