November 16, 2001	Friday	Shaba'an 29, 1422

RIYADH, Nov 15: Saudi Arabia’s crown prince has asked religious leaders to tone down their sermons to avoid embarrassing the government or aggravating anti-Muslim sentiment around the world following the September attacks on the United States.

“I hope you appreciate your responsibility before God, your people and officials, so we do not land in an embarrassing situation... We are a moderate nation and there should be no exaggeration in religion,” Crown Prince Abdullah said in remarks published on Thursday by the English-language Arab News.

“Brothers, you know we are going through difficult days ... Now you are a target for those against Islam,” added Abdullah, who is Saudi Arabia’s day-to-day ruler.

The government has urged official religious scholars to issue statements making clear that the kingdom condemned the attacks.

But some scholars have recently stepped up anti-Western rhetoric in their Friday sermons, criticizing non-Muslims and denouncing supporters of the US-led military strikes on Afghanistan as non-believers.

Several dissident scholars have also said that Muslims should have as little contact as possible with Christians and Jews.

The daily gave a fuller account of Abdullah’s presentation on Wednesday to senior religious and judicial officials than a report issued the same day by the Saudi Press Agency.

Diplomats in Riyadh said the request by Abdullah was significant because the government was acknowledging for the first time its concern about Saudi Arabia’s image abroad as a state that fosters extremism, following the attacks on the United States.

BIG STEP BY GOVERNMENT: “They have been sending this message privately but this is the first time they have done it publicly — it’s a big step,” a Western diplomat in Riyadh said.

“It’s a serious effort to control public opinion here and to make clear that intolerance is not to be favoured at this stage,” he added.

Saudi Arabia has condemned the attacks and pledged support for efforts to combat terrorism, but it has come under fire from US media and senators for allegedly being too soft on “terrorism” and for “exporting” its austere brand of Islam.

“I ask that you not be swept away by emotions or be incited by anyone,” Abdallah said, adding that Riyadh would handle foreign affairs judiciously, carefully and without hasty decisions.

He was addressing top religious leader Sheikh Abdul-Aziz Al Sheikh, top judicial official Sheikh Saleh bin Mohammed al-Luhaidan, the Islamic affairs minister and other officials. The meeting was also attended by Defence Minister Prince Sultan.

Okaz newspaper quoted Luhaidan as replying that ulema had a duty to listen to the country’s rulers.

“Our duty to our guardians is to listen and obey properly within the limits forced on us by God and to hold our tongues properly except for that which brings benefit to our country and Islamic nation,” he was quoted as saying.—Reuters