Threat to Sue Scholars

RIYADH, 22 November 2004 — The father of a young Saudi who died fighting in Iraq has said he is planning to sue religious scholars who called for jihad against American forces, Al-Madinah newspaper reported yesterday. The paper said Majid Shabib Al-Otaibi blamed the scholars, who declared “jihad against the occupiers is a duty for all who are able”, for the death of his son Muqrin. Otaibi said he was standing up against preachers who tried to “corrupt the minds of young men”. He said he had given money to his 26-year-old son believing that he was going to Makkah to perform Umrah. The paper did not say when Muqrin was killed.