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Senior Saudi Cleric: Bin Laden "Is a Promoter of Evil and Depravity"; Al-Zawahiri Is a "Deviant" Senior Saudi Cleric: Bin Laden "Is a Promoter of Evil and Depravity"; Al-Zawahiri Is a "Deviant"
Following the recent arrest in Saudi Arabia of 520 terrorists who had planned attacks on the country's oil facilities, the Saudi daily 'Okaz published an interview with Saudi Supreme Judicial Council head Sheikh Saleh bin Muhammad Al-Luhaidan. In his discussion of terrorism in Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Al-Luhaidan called Al-Qaeda a criminal organization that threatens to destroy the world's purest country. He also called bin Laden a promoter of evil, and the members of his organization criminals. In addition, he said that in order to protect the youth from extremist ideas, there was a need for real da'wa at home, in schools and in the media.
Following are excerpts from the interview:
"Whoever Cooperates With [Terrorists] Or Responds to Their Appeals Is Regarded As A Criminal"
'Okaz: "The Ministry of Interior has announced the arrest of 520 extremists, the dismantling of their [terrorist] cells, and the foiling of their criminal plan. What is your view of all this?"
Sheikh Saleh bin Muhammad Al-Luhaidan: "May Allah bring success to the country's senior officials and security personnel who ambushed these evil and dangerous [terrorists] cells. [These terrorists] are not interested in the good of this country, but seek to harm it. Anyone who loves this kingdom is glad that the sources of evil are [captured] and its cells are eradicated…"
'Okaz: "What is the responsibility of the residents and social institutions in the struggle against these criminals and their evil plans?"
Sheikh Al-Luhaidan: "Anyone in this country who knows of plots against the kingdom or of some group that is planning an evil deed must immediately report it to the authorities…"
'Okaz: "The [Saudi] security forces recently [intercepted] two messages by the No. 2 man in Al-Qaeda, Ayman Al-Zawahiri, calling to raise funds [for the organization]. What is the ruling on someone who responds to this appeal, whether by making a donation or by giving the messages wide distribution?"
Sheikh Al-Luhaidan: "These deviants, who were not tolerated in their [own] countries, went to Iraq and to other countries with the purpose of destroying the [Saudi] kingdom. I do not know of a single country in the Muslim world that has defended the Muslims' interests and invested efforts to assist the Muslims as much as the [Saudi] kingdom… Whoever cooperates with these [terrorists] or responds to their appeals is regarded as a criminal. We beseech Allah to expose anyone who seeks to harm our country or who collaborates with criminals."
'Okaz: "What, in your opinion, brings a young Saudi to travel to Iraq or to any other unstable region [in order to] blow himself up, or [in order to] train and then return to Saudi Arabia to carry out terrorist operations?"
Sheikh Al-Luhaidan: "Young people like these were also deceived by the first Khawarij rebellion. [1] They were impetuous young men who killed believers but showed leniency towards polytheists. Those who travel abroad with the intention of harming the Kingdom and its people and attacking its economy are no less evil than the Khawarij, who [threatened] the Islamic nation in the beginning of its history."
'Okaz: "What is the status of one who plans terrorist attacks on oil installations and fights the security forces?"
Sheikh Al-Luhaidan: "To fight anyone unlawfully is a crime. How can one fight those who perform a duty that benefits everyone, [like] providing security?... That is one of the severest crimes there are."
"Real Da'wa" Will Keep the Youth from Harming the Public
'Okaz: "How can young people and teenagers be guarded against ideas of takfir and [terrorism]?"
Sheikh Al-Luhaidan: "This requires real da'wa at home, in school and in the media, and prudent [measures] to keep [them] away from what is harmful to the public. Many things that religion considers evil or infamous are spread by the media to harm the youth. [When the youth are thus corrupted by the media, iniquitous [inciters] are there to sway them, just as they have done before."
'Okaz: "What about the Internet, through which young people access dubious sites, and as a result are gradually propelled towards the quagmire of terrorism and to perdition?"
Sheikh Al-Luhaidan: "If the youth are not immune, they will be led astray. The immunity is inculcated through education and vigilance at home, where [children's activities] should be closely monitored…"
'Okaz: "What about anyone belonging to Al-Qaeda, headed by Osama bin Laden?"
Sheikh Al-Luhaidan: "That man [i.e. bin Laden] - his actions speak for him. He is not the one to direct a person onto the right path. Indeed, he is a promoter of evil and depravity, and whoever follows him, pursues depravity. If we saw a man call for a rebellion while getting ready for his evening prayer, we would denounce him as a useless criminal who defies Allah's laws. How much more so, if he were inciting others to destroy the purest country in the world - a country which is undoubtedly the best on earth - i.e. the Saudi Kingdom. Without doubt, anyone who calls to destroy it, to undermine its security, to harm its installations and economic centers, and who incites the public against it - such a person is a criminal, as are [all] members of Al-Qaeda. Anyone who is associated with [this organization] must be punished." [2]
[1] The Khawarij were a group that separated from the forces of Fourth Caliph 'Ali Ibn Abu-Talib during the battle of Siffin in 657 B.C.E., and they are considered the first Muslim opposition within Islam. Hence, this term is used as a derogatory label for a secessionist group.
[2] 'Okaz (Saudi Arabia), July 9, 2008.
http://www.memri.org/bin/latestnews.cgi?ID=SD199708
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Originally Posted by Salahadeen 
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