Mahmoud Ahmad, Arab News

MADINAH, 26 June 2004 — An imam of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah yesterday lashed out against “infidels” whom he accused of being bent on the destruction of Muslim societies.

“The enemies of Islam including the Jews, Christians and atheists and those who follow the Westernized and the corrupt (in Muslim) society are waging relentless campaigns against the Muslim nation,” Saleh Al-Budair said in the Friday sermon.

“Using various methods to further their aims, they want to destabilize the Muslim nation, destroying its morality, obliterating its identity and preventing it from fulfilling its message,” the imam said.

Sheikh Al-Budair said Muslims had allowed “infidel nations” to take over their societies and dictate to them what they should do.

“It is extremely regrettable that many Muslims have opened their countries, their businesses, their homes and their hearts to those alien trends and handed over their societies to the infidel nations who deviated from the right path,” he told thousands of faithful who thronged the mosque complex.

He said Muslims must protect the sanctity of their religion and not be carried away by “deviant ideas”. Instead they must stick to the Shariah. Muslims “are too honorable, noble and righteous to imitate or copy corrupt, miserable and confused infidel nations that are only concerned with pursuing their own lusts and that are ready to stake their own life in order to enjoy pleasures and delights,” the imam said.

Al-Budair warned following non-Muslim examples was the road to perdition but added Muslims, equipped with the best of teachings, were capable of fighting their enemies.

Meanwhile, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia called on terrorists to surrender under an amnesty offered by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd.

“This is a blessing for which you should thank God and comply with,” Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh said in his Friday sermon in Riyadh.

“You should not take that as a sign of weakness, but rather as a well-intended decision to correct mistakes,” Al-Asheikh told worshippers. Extremists should heed the words of the king, whose “duty is to help those who sinned to return to the true faith.”

The mufti condemned the suicide bombings and killings of foreigners including US engineer Paul M. Johnson who was decapitated by his kidnappers in Riyadh earlier this month. “They say they are waging jihad (holy war) in the name of God. Is the killing of innocent people jihad? Is the violation of God’s law jihad?” the mufti asked.

Al-Hayat pan-Arab daily ran a quote supporting the king’s call from the brother of Saleh Al-Oufi, who is thought to be the new leader of Al-Qaeda in the Kingdom.

“In the name of brotherhood, and in the name of the tribe, I call upon you to answer the call of the homeland and give yourself up immediately,” Ali Al-Oufi was quoted as saying.