Iman Chairman and British MP condemn Saudi Grand Mufti's statement calling for destruction of all churches in the Middle East
Martes, 20 Marzo 2012
On March 12, Sheik Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah, the grand mufti of Saudi Arabia, declared that it is “necessary to destroy all the churches of the region.” The ruling came in response to a query from a Kuwaiti delegation over proposed legislation to prevent construction of churches in the emirate. The mufti based his decision on a story that on his deathbed, Muhammad declared, “There are not to be two religions in the [Arabian] Peninsula.” This passage has long been used to justify intolerance in the kingdom. Churches have always been banned in Saudi Arabia.
This is not a small-time radical imam trying to stir up his followers with fiery hate speech. This was a considered, deliberate and specific ruling from one of the most important leaders in the Muslim world. It does not just create a religious obligation for those over whom the mufti has direct authority; it is also a signal to others in the Muslim world that destroying churches is not only permitted but mandatory.
(Source: Editorial, The Washington Times, 16 March, 2012)
Commenting on the Grand Mufti's statement, Ribal Al-Assad, the Chairman of the Iman Foundation said:
"I condemn the outrageous and provocative statement made by Sheik Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, which gives a signal to radical Islamists that it is okay to persecute Christians across the Middle East and to use violence against them. This is highly irresponsible and unacceptable behaviour from someone in such a prominent position in the Muslim world.
"I call upon His Majesty King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud to hold the Grand Mufti to account. In a region in transition, the religious rights of minority groups must be respected if religious pluralism is ever to become a reality. It is vital and necessary to expose all those who advocate extremism and violence in the name of religion".
Commenting on the Grand Mufti's statement, British Member of Parliament, Andrew Rosindell, who is Member of the UK Parliament's Foreign Affairs Select Committee and a supporter of the Iman Foundation, said:
“I am very concerned to hear of the recent comments made by, Sheik Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, who has declared that churches in the Arabian Peninsula should be destroyed. I share the view of Ribal Al-Assad, Chairman of the Iman Foundation, in his condemnation of this statement and believe that these comments do not reflect the beliefs of the Saudi Arabian people.
"Persecution of any kind is not to be tolerated and I have every faith that Sheik Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah’s comments will be condemned by His Majesty King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, who I know to be a friend of Britain and respectful of our Christian tradition. I hope that others will join me in condemning these comments and voicing their support for tolerance, peace and pluralism in the Arabian Peninsula”.
