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10-27-2003, 07:11 PM
JEDDAH, 28 October 2003 — Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, the Kingdom’s grand mufti, has urged Saudis to shun demonstrations, saying they were un-Islamic.
“Seeking to undermine security or destabilize Muslim lands is prohibited (in Islam) and a Muslim should not get involved in this,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted him as saying.
Muslims should not heed calls to demonstrate made by those seeking to instigate “strife,” said Al-Asheikh, the country’s highest religious authority.
Police have arrested a number of demonstrators in the past few weeks. “The country’s laws categorically ban gatherings for the purpose of demonstrations and protests. Those who participate in such gatherings will be punished,” a security source told Asharq Al-Awsat, a sister publication of Arab News.
An Interior Ministry spokesman said recently that 83 demonstrators had been arrested in Riyadh on Oct. 14 and would be sent to court for trial. He said 188 others arrested at the rally, held during an unprecedented human rights conference in the capital, were released after they were found to be bystanders.
“The 83, including three women, who were active participants in the gathering are being questioned and will be handed over to Shariah courts,” the spokesman said. “This group does not reflect the reality of Saudi society and their actions do not conform with our Islamic values,” the official added.
Police also arrested about 70 people after demonstrations in three cities last week. Five women were among some 50 people detained in Jeddah; another 13 were picked up in Hail, north of Riyadh, and at least 10 were arrested in Dammam, witnesses said.
It seems the Arabs don't like their people thinking on their own.
“Seeking to undermine security or destabilize Muslim lands is prohibited (in Islam) and a Muslim should not get involved in this,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted him as saying.
Muslims should not heed calls to demonstrate made by those seeking to instigate “strife,” said Al-Asheikh, the country’s highest religious authority.
Police have arrested a number of demonstrators in the past few weeks. “The country’s laws categorically ban gatherings for the purpose of demonstrations and protests. Those who participate in such gatherings will be punished,” a security source told Asharq Al-Awsat, a sister publication of Arab News.
An Interior Ministry spokesman said recently that 83 demonstrators had been arrested in Riyadh on Oct. 14 and would be sent to court for trial. He said 188 others arrested at the rally, held during an unprecedented human rights conference in the capital, were released after they were found to be bystanders.
“The 83, including three women, who were active participants in the gathering are being questioned and will be handed over to Shariah courts,” the spokesman said. “This group does not reflect the reality of Saudi society and their actions do not conform with our Islamic values,” the official added.
Police also arrested about 70 people after demonstrations in three cities last week. Five women were among some 50 people detained in Jeddah; another 13 were picked up in Hail, north of Riyadh, and at least 10 were arrested in Dammam, witnesses said.
It seems the Arabs don't like their people thinking on their own.