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Arabia

Decisive Storm brought glory to the Islamic world, says Al-Sudais

2015-04-06

[ARABNEWS] Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques, said that the Kingdom's efforts to defend the oppressed and deter the oppressors have added prestige, power and glory to the Arab and Islamic nations. In an interview with Saudi TV Channel 1, the widely respected religious scholar said Soddy Arabia ...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face... has taken action which is supported by a number of Shariah laws. Al-Sudais described Operation Decisive Storm, which was launched on the orders of King of the Arabians, Sheikh of the Burning Sands, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman ...either the largest species of Pacific salmon or the current Sheikh of the Burnin' Sands, Cutodian of the Two Holy Mosquesand Lord of Most of the Arabians.... , "as a historic decision that came at the right time." "The wise and brave operation was initiated keeping in view the provisions of Shariah laws," he said. "It was not dependent on personal or political gains." He said any threat to the Kingdom and any evil intention toward the two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah cannot be tolerated. "There is no possibility of forgiving whoever tries to threaten or jeopardize the security of these Holy Mosques," he said. According to Al-Sudais, there is a need to protect Saudi and Yemeni interests. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) blessed Yemen ...an area of the Arabian Peninsula sometimes mistaken for a country. It is populated by more antagonistic tribes and factions than you can keep track of. Except for a tiny handfull of Jews everthing there is very Islamic... and sent Ali bin Abi Taleb and Maaz bin Jabal and a number of his lover companions, he said. "Under Islam, you are obliged to support your neighbors if they seek help," said Al-Sudais. The militias have foreign support, he added. They have their own agenda and they only wish to spread their domination over the Gulf countries, he said. Al-Sudais said that Decisive Storm came after the Kingdom exhausted all efforts to contain the crisis through dialogue. All nations need to stand together during times of hardship to serve the Ummah, he said. He called on the people to get their news from authentic sources. "Do not pay attention to rumors spread through social networking sites," he said. Al-Sudais expressed gratitude to King Salman and highlighted his courageous position. He also expressed appreciation to the Yemeni people whom he asked to remain united. To the Saudi soldiers engaged in the noble action, he said: "May Allah grant you victory."

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Arabia

Deviant ideology has no place in Islam: Al-Sudais

2014-10-25

[ARABNEWS] Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques, said Salafism reflected the true Islamic way of life suited to any time or place. "It is the way of life of the adherents of Sunnah who followed in the footsteps of the Messenger (peace be upon him) and also the way of the early believers, the Muhajirs and the Ansars," Al-Sudais said while delivering the Friday sermon at the Grand Mosque. "It is also following the will of the Prophet (peace be upon him) who said: 'Hold fast to my Sunnah and the way of life of the rightly guided caliphs after me. Beware of the innovations in religious matters; each new innovation in religious matters is a deviation from the right path and every deviation ends up in Hell Fire,'" he said quoting Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiah. However, nothing needs reforming like other people's bad habits... Al-Sudais clarified that opposition to new innovations was confined to religious matters and did not apply to modern scientific inventions and technological advancement. He said that some people do evil deeds and wrongfully attribute them to the teachings of the Prophet (peace be upon him). The Salafi principles and method could not be held responsible for the erroneous understanding and practice of some people, he said. Al-Sudais said the Kingdom has been holding fast to the Salafi creed and the teachings of Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab who called on people to follow the path of Tawhid and faith. His teachings sought to reform people from the aberrations in the creed and he fought against deviant views and wrong practices. "His call was not for a new religion or a fifth school of thought but for the true understanding of the teachings of the Prophet (peace be upon him), his truthful companions and followers of the succeeding generations to strictly follow the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet. His teachings were poles apart from the takfiri ...an adherent of takfir wal hijra, an offshoot of Salafism that regards everybody who doesn't agree with them as apostates who most be killed... ideology and the khawarij practices, even though they attracted baseless accusations, false charges and attempts to tarnish him," Al-Sudais said, adding the teachings of Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab were labeled by his enemies as Wahhabism. "The land of the Two Holy Mosques follows the moderate middle path of the Salafi way in the light of the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah and the way of the righteous early followers of the Prophet. At the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, Imam and Khatib Sheikh Husain Al-Asheikh called on the believers to introspect and evaluate their own deeds to know how far they have succeeded in making the best use of their time leading lives as true Moslems on the occasion of the end of the current Hijri year.

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Arabia

Al-Sudais: Sectarianism tearing apart countries

2014-07-06

[ARABNEWS] Stay away from sectarianism, Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, president of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs, told the more than 1 million worshippers who crowded the Grand Mosque during Friday prayers amid tight security. Al-Sudais alluded to the sectarian strife and conflicts tearing apart Moslem countries. "Moslems around the world fast and pray as they witness what is going on in Paleostine and Syria," he said. Al-Sudais warned against bloodshed and urged crisis resolution. Worshippers were kept cool by the more than 250 fans distributed around the Grand Mosque. The Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, by contrast, saw around half a million worshippers attend Friday prayers.

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Arabia

Unite to change social order: Al-Sudais

2011-03-29

[Arab News] Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, laid the foundation stone for the Students' Islamic Center in New Delhi Sunday and urged the student community to work together to change the social order and bring about progress and prosperity. The Saudis, generous souls that they are, have been working for change via their educational charities for quite some time. The imam commended the Students Islamic Organization of India (SIO), which is building the center, for its efforts in spreading the message and culture of Islam among the student community. The SIO has branches in most Indian states as well as in GCC countries. We don't need the Saudi-sponsored SIO in America -- we've got the Muslim Brotherhood's Muslim Student Association instead. "I am very happy to learn that the SIO is playing an important role in the Indian society," the imam said. "The student community is a vital source of development and progress for any country," he said. So true. Unfortunately, India's Muslims are so fervently educating their children in madrassahs to be Muslim that their educational attainment is fighting that of the Untouchables for bottom of the Indian barrel. He wished every success for the student center project. Earlier, SIO President Muhammad Azharuddin welcomed the imam and introduced his organization. "We are greatly honored to have Your Excellency to launch this Islamic center project," he said. The SIO works for preparing students and youth for the reconstruction of society in the light of divine guidance, Azharuddin said. "The SIO believes that the real function of education should be to impart genuine knowledge about life, existence and future," he added. As opposed to preparing the students to be productive citizens when they graduate. The ceremony at the SIO headquarters was attended by President of Indian Jamaat-e-Islami Syed Jalaluddin Umari, the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs' Abdul Aziz Swaleh, Jamaat vice presidents Siddique Hassan and Muhammad Jaafar, SIO's secretary-general P.M. Saleh and other dignitaries. Al-Sudais, who is on a five-day tour of India, also attended an Islamic conference organized by Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind where he called for setting up a television channel to spread the teachings of Islam and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). They've already got a couple of those in India. Do try to keep up, Shaikh Al-Sudais. The imam emphasized the importance of inculcating the values professed by the sahaba (the Prophet's companions) in the daily lives of Mohammedans. He urged parents to bring up their children on these values. "A special TV channel should be set up to ensure that people get to know about the noble lives of the sahaba and their values and messages," the imam said.

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Arabia

Wake up to the designs of Islam's enemies: Al-Sudais

2011-02-19

[Arab News] Imam and Khatib at the Grand Mosque in Makkah Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais has warned Mohammedans against endangering the safety, stability and better interests of their countries. "True patriotism is not shouting slogans but sincerity, positive approach, transparency and credibility. Real patriots should not trade national pride for the dictations of intruders," said Sheikh Al-Sudais in his sermon at the Grand Mosque on Friday. The sheikh also stressed the need for healthy national sentiments to protect the dignity, security, justice, discipline and peace of a country. Al-Sudais urged Mohammedans to make concerted efforts to defend their nations and judiciously solve their issues. The imam warned people against the designs of the enemies of Islam to destabilize their countries, and called on believers to fear Allah in a world roiled with sedition, crises and radical alterations. He demanded worshipers adhere to religious laws and avoid schism and disputes, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday. He stressed the need to strengthen family ties so that family life is not wrecked by vicious influences. He concluded the sermon with a prayer calling on Allah to protect the land of the two holy mosques and other Mohammedan countries from all forms of sedition and disturbances. In the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, Sheikh Husain Al-Asheikh said the failure of rulers and administrators to discharge their duties with justice is a great calamity that leads to the degeneration of political, economic and social systems. Al-Asheikh said rulers should enforce total justice in all levels of administration. Injustice is one of the most abhorrent evils in the Islamic administrative system, he added. "A ruler should listen to the needs of people and inquire about their conditions, and should never create a barrier between him and the people so that he becomes unaware of the true state of people," he said.

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Britain

Controversial cleric Yahya Ibrahim to tour UK universities

2010-01-24

Yahya Ibrahim, who has described Jews as "monkeys and pigs" and is accused of advocating conflict with the West, is due to speak at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC), next month and at Birmingham University in March. He is one of at least five extreme Islamists who have been allowed to enter the UK in recent years despite being banned by countries such as the United States or Australia. They include a Jamaican-born Muslim preacher who the US claims is linked to the group behind the 1993 World Trade Centre bombing, and a former Pakistani senator who has praised the Taliban. The governing body for British universities, Universities UK, has launched a review of the activities of violent extremists on campuses, following revelations by The Sunday Telegraph over the activities of a number of 'preachers of hate' in the UK and their suspected influence on Abdulmutallab's radicalisation. The Government will face further questions as this newspaper today identifies five foreign radical Islamists who have been allowed in to Britain in the past four years, despite being banned from entering other countries. These are Mr Ibrahim, Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips, Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, Tariq Suweidan, and Sheikh Qazi Hussain Ahmed. Mr Ibrahim, a Canadian citizen who works as an academic in Perth, Australia, was barred from entering the US in 2005 while travelling to Texas to deliver a lecture entitled Muslims Beware of Extremism. He has preached in Mecca that Jews were "monkeys and pigs", "rats of the world" and the "offspring of apes and pigs"; that Christians were "cross worshippers ... those influenced by the rottenness of their ideas and the poison of their cultures, the followers of secularism"; and that Hindus were "idol worshippers". He has also claimed that AIDS is a punishment from Allah. Mr Ibrahim is due to speak at a two-day course organised by the Al Kauthar Institute at UWIC on February 13 and 14, and at the School of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Birmingham, in Edgbaston, on March 6 and 7. Participants will be charged £60 a head at both events. It is thought the cleric is hoping to speak at other UK venues, including mosques, during his latest visit. Last August Mr Ibrahim spoke at a conference organised by the Green Lane Mosque in Birmingham – one of 10 in the city which benefit from funding as part of the Government's Prevent strategy to stop the spread of extremism. Also among the Green Lane speakers last year was Mr Al-Sudais, an imam at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, who, despite denouncing terrorism, has described Jews as "the scum of the human race" and "monkeys and pigs and worshippers of false gods". Mr Al-Sudais was banned from entering Canada in 2004 and has been barred from attending conferences in the US. The pair were joined at the Green Lane event by Mr Philips, a Jamaican-born Canadian citizen who has said that Islam condones marital rape, believes AIDS is "divine retribution" on gays and has said that "Western culture led by the United States is an enemy of Islam". Mr Philips was also invited to speak at the annual dinner of the Islamic student society at Queen Mary last March, where he was praised for his "deep study and understanding of Islam". Yet he was deported from the US in 2004 and refused entry into Australia in 2007 after the American government linked him to the 1993 World Trade Centre bombing in New York, which killed six and injured 1,000. No attempt has been made by the US to have him extradited from Canada. Sheikh Qazi Hussain Ahmed, 71, is a senior figure in the Jamaat-e-Islami fundamentalist party in Pakistan and a former senator in that country, who has praised the Taliban as "just and honourable men who brought peace to Afghanistan". He was denied entry into Belgium and the Netherlands in 2004 after being classed a security risk, but travelled to London in 2006 to attend the two-day Islam Expo conference. Mr Suweidan, a Kuwaiti-born radical, told a meeting in Chicago in 2000: “Palestine will not be liberated but through Jihad. Nothing can be achieved without sacrificing blood. The Jews will meet their end at our hands.' He was subsequently banned from the US. Despite this he was invited by the Home Office to take part in a UK roadshow against extremism in 2006.

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Arabia

Pudge Blasts Zionist Terror in Lebanon

2006-08-05

Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais [aka "Pudge"], imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, yesterday described the current Israeli military campaign against Lebanon as “Zionist terrorism” and urged that the perpetrators behind the aggression must be tried for committing war crimes. “Those who condemn violence and fight terrorism must see how the children and orphans in a refugee camp were obliterated and listen to the cries of widows and mourners there,” the imam said, in reference to the Israeli bombing of the Lebanese village of Qana killing mostly women and children. “We call from the platform of the Grand Mosque in Makkah to stop this war immediately,” Sheikh Sudais said while delivering his Friday sermon. “The imam also spoke about the irony of calling the heinous Israeli aggression and massacres as legitimate acts of self-defense and condemning the resistance of the oppressed as acts of terrorism...” He said the current campaign of the Jewish state against Lebanon and Palestine had unmasked those who have been supporting the enemy and misleading the world opinion by raising the slogans of humaneness, peace and democracy. Sudais said the new world order failed to stop Israeli barbarism and despotism. “We should know that these killings and aggression are directed against every Muslim,” he said. The imam also spoke about the irony of calling the heinous Israeli aggression and massacres as legitimate acts of self-defense and condemning the resistance of the oppressed as acts of terrorism. He said this policy of double standard would not help bring about peace and security in the Middle East and it would only trigger hatred and hostility among nations. He said the barbaric bombardments, killings and destruction in Lebanon would remain in people’s memory forever. In his speech, Sheikh Sudais called upon the whole world to stand up against the Israeli aggression and tyranny. He also commended Saudi Arabia’s firm stand in support of the Lebanese and Palestinian people reeling under the Israeli aggression.

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Arabia

Muslims Are Held to Ransom for Misdeeds of a Few, Says Makkah Imam

2006-01-11

Millions of citizens and residents offered Eid Al-Adha prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah yesterday. Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, the imam of the Grand Mosque, in his sermon called on Muslims to respond to the hate campaign against Islam. “Islam is the religion of moderates and yet a vicious campaign has been unleashed to tarnish its image. For the misdeeds of a few, the entire community is being held to ransom,” he said. “We all must realize that they are always on the lookout for the mistakes of a few Muslims so that Islam gets a bad name and people all over start hating it.” That's a slightly different take from the Telegraph version of his remarks we carried yesterday... Calling for more moderation among Muslims, he said deviation of thoughts and concepts had assumed “dangerous” levels. “We now see fights and challenges taking place in the form of intellectual invasion globally for more freedom,” he said. ... and one thing Moose limbs don't need is more freedom... “Fight terrorism and extremism,” he told Muslims and urged them to spread the message that Islam does not preach terrorism, and moderates should not be held responsible for the crimes and killings being committed by a few in the Muslim world. He appealed to the few disgruntled elements that have strayed from the path of peace to return to their senses. “Let’s start with ourselves. However, reforms should not be imposed on us. They should come from within us and in keeping with the tenets of Islam,” the imam said. "And how long's that gonna take?" "'Bout another 1400 years." Referring to the Al-Aqsa Mosque issue, which remains unsolved, he called a halt to the ongoing killings and destruction of homes and property by Israelis. “They are trying to destroy the mosque,” he said. He reminded the Ummah not to forget the people of Iraq who are in a hopeless situation struggling for peace and prosperity. Had a pretty hard time homogenizing that tirade, I'd guess. It'll be interesting to see the MEMRI version. I think they still haven't quite caught on that people are watching...

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Arabia

Islamic personality of the year

2005-10-26

There he is, Mr. Islam. A Muslim cleric who has prayed to "terminate" the Jews was awarded Islamic Personality of the Year at a ceremony in which he called Islam a religion of "harmony and kindness" that rejects terrorism. As WorldNetDaily reported, Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al Sudais – the veteran Quran reader and imam of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia – prayed to Allah in 2003 in front of 2 million followers to "terminate" the Jews, who he called "the scum of humanity, the rats of the world, prophet killers ... pigs and monkeys." And Jackals? Therefore But he was honored Sunday during the closing ceremony of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award, an annual event in the United Arab Emirates capital during Ramadan aimed at promoting Islam's main text. According to the event's website, the Islamic Personality of the Year "must have an honorable history in serving Islam and Muslims." In his remarks upon receiving the award, the sheikh said, "The message of Islam and Muslims is modesty, fairness, security, stability, sympathy, harmony and kindness and lying." In his April 2003 address in Mecca, however, Al-Sudais urged Arabs and Muslims to abandon peace initiatives with Israel – comments carried worldwide by Reuters and the Associated Press. While some media at the time suggested his racist characterization of Jews was a singular occurrence, Al-Sudais has described Jews variously as "evil," a "continuum of deceit," "tyrannical" and "treacherous," WND reported. Last December, Al-Sudais was listed as a "specially invited guest" of an Islamic conference in Florida. Following media exposure, however, his name disappeared from conference materials. On the International Holy Quran Award website, the event's organizing committee said Al Sudais "has been selected for his devotion to the Quran and Islam." "His remarkable and ear-catching intonation of the Quran during the Haj [pilgrimage] season and during the Taraweeh [special night prayers during Ramadan] in the holy mosque has made him very famous and beloved among the Muslim community," said Saeed Hareb, vice chairman of the organizing committee. Al Sudais reflects a bright picture of Islam and Muslims, Hareb added. "He became a recognized personality among the Muslim community through his Quran reading and working as a specialized professor in Fuqoh [Islamic jurisprudence]," he said. The award selection is carried out through nomination by states, universities and specialized institutions, according to the website. The winner's "writings or stances should be universally recognized," it says. Al Sudais was born in 1961 in the Al Qaseem area of Saudi Arabia where he reportedly memorized the Quran at the age of 12. The Ann Coulter option is looking better all the time.

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Arabia

Sudais Chosen Islamic Personality of the Year

2005-10-21

The Imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, has been chosen the Dubai International Holy Qur'an Award's (DIHQA) 9th Islamic Personality of the year 2005. Dr. Saeed Hareb, the vice chairman of the DIHQA Organizing Committee, made the announcement on Wednesday. "Dr. Al-Sudais has been selected for his devotion to the Qur'an and Islam," he said. "His remarkable and ear-catching intonation of the Qur'an during the Haj season and during the Taraweeh in the holy mosque has made him very famous and beloved among the Muslim community," said Dr. Hareb. "Unaccustomed as I am to public speaking..." "They love me! They really love me!"

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Arabia

Al-Islam Group to Launch New Website

2004-10-18

P.K. Abdul Ghafour, Arab News Al-Islam Group, a charitable organization, plans to launch tomorrow a new website named quranforall.org and two CDs containing several books in multiple languages to celebrate Ramadan. "This is our third Islamic website," said Muhammad Abdul Mateen Osmani, director of the group. The websites were set up to disseminate the message of Islam all over the world, he added. The first website, launched in November 2002 received 2.3 million hits from people in 80 countries, Osmani pointed out. The second site named prophetmuhammadforall.org received 200,000 hits within six months of its launching in April 2004. "We developed the new site called quranforall.org as well as the two CDs named Explore Qur'an in Ramadan to celebrate the holy month in a unique and useful manner," Osmani said. "Many people think that the Qur'an is only for Muslims. Actually, it is a divine book of guidance for the whole humanity. In our new website and CDs you will find a lot of information about the Qur'an in English, Urdu and Telugu languages," he said. Spelling out the special features of the new site, Osmani said it includes the Qur'an recitation by Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, one of the imams of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, and translation of the Qur'an in English, Urdu and Telugu. "It's the only website where you can read the full Qur'an translation of the late Islamic scholar Maulana Abul Aala Moudoodi in both English and Urdu," he pointed out. Gee. Golly. Shucks. Oh, Mom! Lemme surf there!

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Arabia

Sudais Leads Prayers for Inter-Faith Peace and Harmony

2004-06-12

Now that's some heft. I'll bet his camel has a bad back! One of the imams of the Grand Mosque in Makkah led prayers for inter-faith peace and harmony in London yesterday, while another in the holy city called on Muslims to resist outside interference. But it's okay for Soddies to interfere in other people's countries, right? Around 10,000 worshippers gathered at the East London Mosque, and surrounding streets in the city’s Whitechapel district to hear Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, organizers said. Also on hand for the launch of the 10-million-pound ($18 million) London Muslim Center were guests including Britain’s grand rabbi Jonathan Sachs and Racial Equality Minister Fiona Mactaggart. Prince Charles, in Washington for the funeral of former US President Ronald Reagan, also took part by way of a pre-recorded message. “Islam emphasizes to Muslims how to organize their relationship and responsibility toward society so that they may live under the blessing of Allah and a peace that extends to all,” said Sudais in his sermon. “I want to urge Muslims to be united in adhering to this message and follow the example of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah upon him),” he said. He also said that Muslims should set an example of “the true image of Islam” in their interactions with other communities, “and dispel any misconceptions portrayed in some parts of the media”. He's talking about blowing up trains and skyscrapers and cutting people's heads off — mere misconceptions, y'know... “The history of Islam is the best testament to how different communities can live together in peace and harmony,” he said. All y'gotta do is pay your dhimmi tax, unless the Faithful feel like slapping you around... In his sermons at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Sudais has condemned deadly terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia, calling them cowardly and vile. He has also criticized the US-led occupation of Iraq and bloodshed in the Palestinian territories. Britain is home to an estimated two million Muslims, most of them of South Asian origin. The London Muslim Center is described by the East London Mosque, one of the busiest in Britain with 5,000 worshippers a week, as “Western Europe’s largest multi-purpose Muslim complex, with something for everyone”.

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