JEDDAH, 10 July 2004 — An imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah has thrown his weight behind calls for terrorists to surrender under a month-long amnesty announced by the government in late June.
“Hurry, you who committed mistakes and are now in hiding, to make this initiative a new beginning in correcting (your behavior) and return to the true path,” Sheikh Saud Al-Sheraim said in his Friday sermon.
Addressing hundreds of thousands of worshippers at the Grand Mosque, he said Saudi authorities were sincere in forgiving militants who voluntarily surrender.
Praising repentance as an Islamic ideal, he called on all those who deviated from the right path to return to the fold of Islam. “Hurry to catch up with those who have been promised forgiveness in life and death, for Almighty Allah has said to those who have repented ... that He is forgiving and merciful.”
The one-month offer announced by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd on June 23 gave terrorists 30 days to turn themselves in.
“All those affiliated to this group (of terrorists) and who were not captured have a chance to return to God and engage in soul-searching.” Those surrendering would be guaranteed personal safety but would still have to face claims from the families of victims, Crown Prince Abdullah said in a televised speech.
So far two terror suspects, one of whom appeared on a list of 26 most wanted militants, have handed themselves in under the amnesty.
Al-Sheraim stressed the need for Muslims to seek advice in searching for the truth, and attempt cooperation and reconciliation. He indicated that terror attacks in Muslim countries was a sign of “grave danger” and must be confronted. “What is taking place in Muslim countries, the killing and terrorizing of the innocent, is something evil and a sign of great danger,” he said.
“Such acts must never be ignored or justified but confronted and stopped by all available means. These acts should never be accepted under any justification. The only winners are the enemy lying in wait and the envious who rejoice in others’ misfortune,” he added.
