JEDDAH, 2 September 2006 — The imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah urged Muslims to acquire maximum power in order to maintain world peace, establish a balance of power and protect their rights.
“Power is not detrimental to peace. It’s part of peace. It promotes peace. As long as we have power we don’t lose war or disturb peace,” Dr. Saleh Bin-Humaid said yesterday while delivering his Friday sermon.
Bin-Humaid, who is also chairman of the Shoura Council, said wrong policies of certain powers had fueled terrorism.
“The violence and terrorism in the region is the outcome of biased policies of some superpowers that have wrong perceptions about Islam and devise plans that lead to deeper hatred and injustice. Their policies fuel violence and provide ammunition to extremists and terrorists,” the imam said.
He emphasized the need for Muslims to gain more power as international resolutions are based on the balance of power.
“When the Islamic nation gets stronger as a result of its unity and determination and with strong faith in God, the balance will sway in our favor,” he said. He said power based on injustice and oppression would face defeat, adding that such worldly powers would not be able to defeat the power of faith. “Nations were humiliated when they discarded power,” he said, adding that crises should unite people against their enemies. Sheikh Bin-Humaid urged Muslims to stand firm in the face of troubles and tribulations.
“Nations prove their mettle at times of difficulties. They gain strength by passing through tests and trials,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted him as saying.
Speaking about the outcome of the recent military confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah, he said the Arab world had gained greater self-confidence. “It proved that the call for peace and support for peace do not go against having power or taking precautions,” he explained.
Bin-Humaid said the recent events also gave indications about a new Middle East, “reinforcing the concept of power in its comprehensive meaning, the power of religion, faith, knowledge, thinking and determination, along with the power of arms and military, and the power of politics and negotiations.”
