Respected Saudi cleric decries path of 'holy war'

By Rawya Rageh
The Associated Press

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MOUNT ARAFAT, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia's top cleric yesterday called on Muslims around the world to forsake terrorism, saying those who claim to be holy warriors were an affront to the faith.

In a sermon that was remarkable not only for its strong language but also its timing — at the peak of the annual hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca — Sheik Abdul Aziz al-Sheik told 2 million pilgrims that terrorists were giving their enemies an excuse to criticize Muslim nations.

"Is it holy war to shed Muslim blood? Is it holy war to shed the blood of non-Muslims given sanctuary in Muslim lands?" he asked.

A large number of the victims of suicide attacks in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iraq and elsewhere have been Muslims. Al-Sheik, who is widely respected in the Arab world, spoke in a televised sermon seen by millions of Muslims.

"Islam forbids all forms of injustice, killing without just cause, treachery ... hijacking of planes, boats and transportation means," he said.

Al-Sheik, however, warned against "changing the religion's basics" in school curricula: "The minds of youth in the Islamic nation need to be shielded with Islamic shariah (law) and good manners and deeds."

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