Riyadh: “Terrorism is a heinous crime under Sharia, and perpetrators should be made an example of.”
This strong statement comes from Saudi Arabia's top clerical council which happens to be the only body in the country authorized to issue a ruling on a point of Islamic law.
This statement comes as a strong disapproval of the Islamist radicalism and the Islamic State group.
Signed by all 21 members of the council and quoting extensively from the Holy Quran and sayings of the Prophet Mohammad, the statement also denounced militant financing or encouraging young people towards militant acts.
It said people issuing fatwas or other opinions that “justify terrorism” were not permissible in any way and were “the order of Iblis (satan)”.
Saudi Arabia has joined international efforts headed by the United States to combat the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria, and has also worked with Washington in its battle against Al Qaeda.
Sharia is the foremost legal system in Saudi Arabia, where clerics of the official Wahhabi Sunni Muslim school have got considerable authority through a close alliance with the ruling Al Saud dynasty.
