August 17, 2003	Sunday	Jumadi-us-Sani 18, 1424

RIYADH, Aug 16: Saudi Arabia’s leading religious scholars issued a fatwa on Saturday condemning terrorism.

In a ruling that confronts head-on the doctrine of jihad, a council of scholars said killing and bombing had nothing to do with furthering God’s will.

“It is necessary under Sharia law to severely punish those carrying out acts of sabotage and depravity, like bombings and murder and destruction of property. These are dangerous crimes and an aggression against human life and wealth,” the council said in a statement carried on the official Saudi Press Agency.

“And those who claim sabotage, bombings and murder are jihad, they are ignorant and misguided because these acts have nothing to do with jihad for the sake of God,” said the council, headed by the country’s highest religious authority, Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz al Sheikh.

“The council warns those who protect these people or shelter them, that this is one of the greatest sins. Everyone must cooperate to end this danger,” they said.

“We must rally around the leadership of this country and its scholars, especially in this time of dissent.”

The Saudi authorities have so far dismissed 700 ulema and banned some 1,500 from preaching in mosques for inciting dissent.—Reuters