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Saudi cleric says West fearful of spread of Islam
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Saudi cleric says West fearful of spread of Islam
A prominent Saudi cleric said yesterday that Pope Benedict?s controversial remarks on Islam came from vexation at the spread of the Muslim faith.
Many Muslim leaders have criticised the Pope for a speech in September that quoted a 14th-century Byzantine emperor as saying Islam was evil and irrational and had been spread by the sword.
?This arises only because of ire in the hearts of adversaries over the spread of Islam beyond all borders and obstacles,? Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid said in a sermon at the Grand Mosque in Mecca to mark the Muslim Eid Ul-Fitr feast. ?Every rational person knows that no principle, no matter how attractive or powerful, can be spread by the sword or tank or explosives...,? he said. ?(Islam) is the only faith that can solve the problems of mankind.?
The Pope has many times expressed regret for the uproar caused by his speech and voiced respect for all Muslims. But he has stopped short of the unequivocal apology demanded by some. Bin Humaid, whose sermon was carried by state media, said history was filled with violence. ?How many Muslims were killed, displaced and made homeless ... Muslim blood has been the cheapest,? he said.
?The jihad of Prophet Mohammed and that of his companions and followers was jihad for the sake of God, and not for conceit, influence, greed or fanaticism for a race...It is a struggle to champion monotheism, to prevent oppression from encroaching on rights and power from wiping out justice.? In a Eid message, Saudi Arabia?s king and crown prince urged Muslims to follow Prophet Mohammad?s ?message of love, forgiveness, mercy, unity and goodness?.
Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, has been battling a campaign by al Qaeda supporters to topple its conservative monarchy since 2003.
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