(WASHINGTON, DC) - Today, the Council of Senior Ulema (religious scholars) issued a fatwa (religious opinion) reemphasizing that terrorism is a “heinous crime, injustice and aggression rejected by Shariah (Islamic law).” The Council concluded its 80th session, held in Riyadh, with a review of the speech given by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, in which he warned about the threat of terrorism and implored the international community to support the fight against terrorists and extremists.
The Council declared that “terrorism is contrary to the purposes of this great religion [Islam]” and said that it is in full support of the Kingdom’s efforts to combat extremists domestically and globally. In addition, the Council called on religious scholars “to do their duty and intensify the guidance of people in this serious matter to clarify the truth,” including rejecting fatwas or opinions issued to justify terrorist acts or extremist ideologies.
The Council’s statement advised that Muslims adhere to Islam and its right path based on the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet, which rejects terrorism. Moreover, the Council encouraged the education of young people to follow a righteous path and emphasized the need to support the leadership of the country and its religious scholars in this time of strife.
As the birthplace of Islam and the home of the Two Holy Mosques, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia rejects extremists and terrorists who aim to subvert the Islamic faith. Saudi officials and religious scholars have long been vocal in condemning terrorism and extremism.
