Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia: All churches must be destroyed

oceanclub

http://www.thesamosa.co.uk/2012/04/09/turkeys-top-muslim-cleric-slams-saudi-mufti-over-his-call-to-destroy-churches/

Sheikh Abdulaziz reportedly made the controversial statement during a meeting with a delegation from the Kuwait-based Society of the Revival of Islamic Heritage in response to a query about Shariah law concerning the construction of churches in Muslim countries. He issued the fatwa in March, saying that further church building should be banned and existing Christian houses of worship should be destroyed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdul-Azeez_ibn_Abdullaah_Aal_ash-Shaikh

On March 15, 2012 he declared that, "All churches in the Arabian Peninsula must be destroyed." Abdullah cited an Islamic hadith quoting the prophet Mohammed on his deathbed.

Any ides what hadith he refers to, and is it because of that that there is a little criticism of his remarks?

P.

Jaafa

Not sure which Hadith he's talking about. I'm sure who you want to come out and criticize it? If it makes things any better Iran has criticized it.

Generally speaking I would say if people aren't talking about it, it doesn't mean they agree with it, just that they don't care of pay attention to what this guy is saying.

You'll notice there's been little mention of anyone else supporting what has been said.

irishconvert

oceanclub wrote: »

http://www.thesamosa.co.uk/2012/04/09/turkeys-top-muslim-cleric-slams-saudi-mufti-over-his-call-to-destroy-churches/



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdul-Azeez_ibn_Abdullaah_Aal_ash-Shaikh



Any ides what hadith he refers to, and is it because of that that there is a little criticism of his remarks?

P.

Wow, from the same people who brought you such great laws such as "Women are not allowed drive"! I'll make sure to destroy any Christian Churches I come across from now on. Honestly these Saudi rulers are such a bad example of how Islam should be practised. I really wish the people would rise up (without any outside interference from other countries) and send them back to the desert on their camels.

dead one

what is your purpose to post this thread here, ocean club... Saudis don't represent Islam... It's very interesting to see some people are intently corrupt and their purpose in all intentions is to practise corruption... wasted 40 years... wasted brains--wasted ego--wasted religions..The thread portrays that ocean club wants a disputed between Muslims and Christians -- Such hyena tactics are often used by the guardian of freedom... atheism in its extremist form..... Dear ocean club, keep it up you doing a favor in the name of your religion..

f.

donaghs

I don't think Saudi Arabia can be dismissed as some sort crazy person. It's a country with a population of 27 million. Not to mention the 2nd biggest oil reserves of any country in the world. It's also contains the region where Islam began, as has its holiest shrine.

The Saudi's would not doubt criticize Muslims who don't follow their ways, as not practising "true islam". So, like most religions, the "true" version is always going to be a moot point.

I think it would make more sense for people with a rational mind or simply a humanitarian world-view to criticize Saudi Arabia for its human rights record.

But its not just Saudi Arabia's application of Islam within its on borders which is worrying. Their oil-wealth allows them to propagate their views world-wide, giving a much more Salafist slant to "mainstream" Sunni Islam in recent decades.

So going back to the original post, it is sadly worrying and regretable that such statements are made in public, by public figures.

iCosmopolis

I'm no expert on Islam, I'm married to a rarely practising muslim, but I do have the rare pleasure of actually knowing some Saudis (40% of my customer base via work is middle east, including saudi arabia) and outside that, muslim friends & in laws via himself. From my experience of having worked with them, many regular Saudis hate the regime (and given me anecdotes to that effect) and my bunch think they're ridiculous, immoral and would never in a million years hold them as any kind of representation of their religion or lifestyle
What I was saying in short, is the Saudis tend to get everyones' back up, including Muslims, and even Saudis themselves.

irishconvert

iCosmopolis wrote: »

I'm no expert on Islam, I'm married to a rarely practising muslim, but I do have the rare pleasure of actually knowing some Saudis (40% of my customer base via work is middle east, including saudi arabia) and outside that, muslim friends & in laws via himself. From my experience of having worked with them, many regular Saudis hate the regime (and given me anecdotes to that effect) and my bunch think they're ridiculous, immoral and would never in a million years hold them as any kind of representation of their religion or lifestyle

Yes, I got the same vibe from the small number of Saudi's who would talk politics when I was there. The majority of them are afraid to talk politicial though. One taxi driver who was quite critical of the leaders then stopped himself and said they would cut his tongue off if they found out what he was saying.

old_aussie

They also believe in witchcraft

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2131967/Woman-faces-death-penalty-witchcraft-accused-casting-spell-shopper-13.html

tfitzgerald

old_aussie wrote: »

They also believe in witchcraft

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2131967/Woman-faces-death-penalty-witchcraft-accused-casting-spell-shopper-13.html

I'm speechless . I knew about the churches but this witchcraft rubbish . It's the father of the girl that needs a few lashes