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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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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

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 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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Arabia

More Terrorists Killed

2004-04-24

Adds to yesterday's story... Saudi security forces yesterday gunned down two more terrorists, bringing to five the number of militants killed in 24 hours. They included four from the most wanted list. That's good to hear... After three men were shot dead in a gunbattle late Thursday night, security troops killed two more in the center of Jeddah early yesterday morning. The Interior Ministry named the four wanted terrorists — all Saudis — as Ahmed ibn Abdul Rahman Al-Fadli, Mustapha ibn Ibrahim Mubaraki, Talal ibn Anbar Ahmed Al-Anbari and Khaled ibn Mubarak Al-Qurashi. The four were Nos. 7, 15, 20 and 12 on the list of 26 most wanted terror suspects published after suicide bombings killed 52 people at residential compounds in Riyadh in May and November last year. The identity of the fifth terrorist was not known. Saudi TV aired footage from the scene of an operation which began Thursday night in Jeddah’s Al-Safa neighborhood when the suspects took refuge in a building. Security forces surrounded the site on Umm Al-Qura Street in northeast Jeddah and called in reinforcements. SWAT teams kept arriving as helicopters hovered overhead. Bursts of gunfire rattled through the night before security forces stormed the building after using tear gas and calling over loud hailers for the surrender of the terrorists. The Interior Ministry said three terrorists were shot dead during the siege while a fourth suspect was captured and a security man slightly wounded. The Arabic daily Okaz quoted the wounded security man as saying that one of the terror suspects was shot dead by his comrades when he tried to surrender. Two terrorists managed to flee the scene in a car which they seized from a Saudi at gunpoint. At 7 a.m. yesterday police chased the fugitive militants to a building in the Nuzla Yamaniya neighborhood near the television building on Mina Street in south Jeddah. One of the terrorists, who was injured in the gunbattle, died on the building’s stairways after he ran out of ammunition. Police shot and killed him on the scene, a witness told Arab News. Al-Anbari, one of the four wanted terrorists, made it to the top of the building and barricaded himself inside a room on the roof. From there, he exchanged gunfire with police. He also armed a hand grenade but police shot him in the hand and he dropped it inside the room, where it exploded, the witnesses said. Nice shootin', Tex... errr... Abdul! The latest shootout followed Wednesday’s deadly suicide bombing which killed at least 10 people and wounded 145, drawing renewed pledges from authorities to crush terrorism. “These criminal acts perpetrated by a deviant minority will be dealt with firmly until they are rooted out,” said Crown Prince Abdullah. Prince Abdullah yesterday received calls from Iranian President Muhammad Khatami, Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir and Jordan’s King Abdallah condemning the Riyadh bombing. Interior Minister Prince Naif said Wednesday’s attack would not undermine the Kingdom’s police force. “Their morale is incredibly high,” the minister told reporters. “Attacking security forces shows the bankruptcy of the terror cells, which we are determined to track down,” said Prince Naif. Prince Naif said the Kingdom’s security forces were successful in preventing “tens of terrorist attacks”. He added that security forces were ready to confront any attacks. Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed yesterday visited the policemen and civilians wounded in the Jeddah shootout at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in the city. The imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah denounced the Riyadh bombers, SPA said. The attack was “a cowardly crime and vile act of terrorism,” Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais told thousands of faithful who thronged the Haram Mosque. Saudi Arabia has offered rewards of up to SR7 million for information leading to the arrest of the 26 suspects. With the death of four suspects in yesterday’s gunbattle, the list is now down to 18. An Interior Ministry official announced on Sunday the arrest of eight suspects linked to recent deadly clashes between terrorists and security forces and the booby-trapping of cars. Security forces discovered on Monday two cars laden with explosives, which were ready to be used in terror attacks in the capital. The discovery of the two vehicles, in Arrumhiyah village 90 km east of Riyadh, brought to five the number of car bombs seized in the Kingdom within the past week.

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Arabia

Imam Blasts Al-Hurra for Causing ‘Intellectual Chaos’

2004-03-06

And so the assault begins... Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, the imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, yesterday urged the Iraqis to end the bloodshed and work for unity. "Knock if off, youse guys!" The imam also blasted the newly established US-run Al-Hurra television channel for causing “intellectual chaos and confusion” among Muslims. "Oh, Mahmoud! I'm so confused!" "Me, too, Ahmed! All my thoughts are... chaotic!" Delivering his Friday sermon to hundreds of thousands of faithful who packed the large mosque complex, Sudais warned Iraqis their disunity and infighting would only serve their enemies. “The ongoing bloodbath in Iraq must be condemned because it serves the enemy preying on the wealth of Iraq and its resources,” he said. The enemy being... us? I haven't heard anybody else accused of preying on the country's wealth and resources. It's all about oil, y'know. The Haram imam stressed the importance of correcting wrong religious notions in the light of Qur’an and Sunnah, citing ignorance, nepotism, partisanship, vested interests and love of publicity as the chief causes for the spread of wrong ideologies in Muslim countries. The imam decried the growing number of tragedies in the Islamic world, in an apparent reference to recent sectarian violence in Iraq and Pakistan, which claimed the lives of more than 200 Muslims. Muslim bombs, killing scores of Muslims. Must be our fault... Many Muslims mistook deviations and false concepts for the main teachings of the religion, he said. He emphasized the need to promote a correct understanding of Islam to strengthen Muslim unity. “Those who read the events of history will find that misconceptions have triggered crises and conflicts not only in Islamic countries but the whole world,” he said. But Muslims seem to have a special knack for it... Such misconceptions served to divide Muslims and helped their enemies dominate them, the imam said, citing the murder of Caliphs Uthman and Ali as well as famous Muslim leaders like Hussein, Ibn Zubair and Ibn Jubair. Sheikh Sudais denounced a “war of ideas” being waged by parts of the Western media with the aim of imposing particular cultural and intellectual patterns and dictating specific reforms in the name of globalization, openness and freedom. Doesn't like the idea of competition, does he? Having to defend one's ideas can be so... tiring. The US government-funded Al-Hurra Arabic channel was aimed at sowing doubt among Muslims, especially women, about Islamic teachings and discrediting Islamic principles. “It spreads intellectual chaos and destroys the correct thinking of the Ummah and its cultural heritage,” he said. Sheikh Sudais also criticized liberals and secularists among Muslims, saying “they follow the wrong way ... and call followers of the right path bad names like Wahhabis.” Yeah. I'm surprised the word has more than four letters, myself. Modern information technology must be harnessed to promote the right Islamic concepts, he added.

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