JEDDAH, 19 August 2006 — Sheikh Saud Al-Shuraim, imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, yesterday urged Muslim faithful to protect their identity without being subservient to foreign forces.
He also called upon Muslims to extend full support to their fellow believers facing danger in other parts of the world.
“I would like to tell you all that the loss of identity and the lack of unity and responsibility were the major failures that hit us most than our enemies’ military victories,” the imam cautioned the hundreds of thousands of faithful who packed the large mosque complex while delivering the Juma sermon. “This situation has made us subservient to others, voluntarily or forcefully... subsequently it increased our pains, expanded our wounds, our honors violated and created fear and a sense of weakness in our minds,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted the imam as telling the faithful.
He said as long as Muslims remain weak, their resistance to defend their occupied territories, braving destructive weapons, would be labeled as terrorism.
“The allegation that Muslims are terrorists is a big lie,” he said, adding that the enemy wanted to cover its obnoxious crimes by pasting such labels.
He lambasted the brutal forces that commit big crimes, violate human rights and destroy freedoms in the pretext of justice and civilization.
He also pointed out that Arabs and Muslims were not receiving protection under international charters and laws.
The imam called upon Muslims to stand firm and united in the face of challenges. “Our enemies will be very happy to see us divided. We should strengthen our unity in hearts and words and this can be achieved only through a strong Islamic faith based on the Qur’an and Sunnah... We should remove all obstacles that stand in the way of unity,” he explained.
“Destructive conflicts and wars that endanger the lives of people who are part of the Ummah must awaken the conscience of Muslims and rekindle their sense of honor,” he said.
In Madinah, Sheikh Hussein Al-Sheikh, imam of the Prophet’s Mosque, condemned the statements linking Islam with terrorism and fascism. He was referring to a recent statement made by US President George W. Bush who referred to Muslim extremists as “Islamic fascists.”
He said the Islamic faith is based on the principles of “peace, justice, and respect for charters and agreements,” Sheikh Hussein said in his Juma sermon.
Last week, Sheikh Saleh ibn Muhammad Al-Taleb, another imam of the Grand Mosque, blasted the use of veto power against Muslim issues and interests at the UN Security Council.
The imam wondered why some Western governments were supporting the Israeli occupation of Arab land and the atrocities committed against Muslims, endangering their political and economic interests in the Muslim world.
He said it was in the interest of Western governments to establish stronger ties with Muslim countries that possess valuable natural resources including oil and have a combined population of nearly 1.5 billion.
“But these governments ignored Muslims and supported their enemy that has occupied their land after driving away their people,” the imam said.
He said many Western intellectuals have opposed religious wars between nations. However, religious sentiments were exploited to achieve certain goals. “This will create an explosive situation and no country will be able to get away from its terrible consequences,” he explained.
He urged people of Western countries to change their biased attitude toward Muslim issues by changing their leaders and governments through ballot boxes. Sheikh Saleh said some influential countries, maddened by their power and hegemony, were engaged in winning more enemies and spreading hatred among nations.
The imam said such policies would breed more violence.
