Fahd, Abdullah Call on Muslims to Unite Against Terror
P.K. Abdul Ghafour, Arab News Staff

JEDDAH, 25 November 2003 — Custodian of the Two Holy
Mosques King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier
and commander of the National Guard, have called on Muslims
to unite against terror and work for world peace.

“We urge you to work for the stability and security of
Islamic countries and the whole world and overcome the
obstacles to world peace,” the two leaders said in their
Eid message.

The Royal Court yesterday announced for today the
celebration of Eid Al-Fitr throughout the Kingdom after the
Supreme Judiciary Council confirmed the sighting of the
Shawwal crescent.

King Fahd and Prince Abdullah said the recent bombings in
Riyadh, which killed more than 50 people, had no basis in
Islam and called on Muslims to “work together to combat the
roots of extremism.”

The king and the crown prince urged Muslims to strengthen
their unity and solidarity. “The celebration of Eid at the
conclusion of a month of fasting is an expression of Muslim
unity and solidarity,” the message said.

“Ramadan and Eid bring Muslims closer together and help
remove their divisions and differences,” it added.

The Saudi leaders expressed the hope that Eid Al-Fitr would
usher in a new era of peace, security and prosperity in
Islamic countries. They also asked God to accept the
fasting and prayers of Muslims during Ramadan.

“A true Muslim does not spread corruption nor does he seek
destruction,” said the message read out on Saudi Television
by Culture and Information Minister Dr. Fouad Al-Farsy.

“Islam has nothing to do with the terrorist acts carried
out by groups claiming to be followers of Islam,” said the
message, adding that the terrorist attacks were a result of
erroneous beliefs.

“We must intensify our efforts and stand united to rectify
defects and distortions, correct erroneous understanding
and lead delinquents to the right path,” the message added.

King Fahd had earlier this month warned terrorists the
Kingdom would strike “with an iron fist” those behind the
Nov. 8 attacks in Riyadh that killed at least 18 people.

“The international situation of the Islamic nation as well
as global developments demand introspection so that we can
adopt correct views and take suitable positions,” the
message said.

“We must work together to combat the roots of deviation and
implement the teachings of true Islam,” it added.

King Fahd and Prince Abdullah also urged Muslims to follow
the example of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in
tolerance and mercy to become forces for good.

Meanwhile, a number of Arab leaders, including UAE
President Sheikh Zayed, Yemeni President Ali Abdullah
Saleh, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Sudan’s President
Omar Al-Bashir, Tunisian President Zaine Al-Abidine Ben Ali
and Jordan’s King Abdallah, contacted the king and the
crown prince by telephone to offer their Eid greetings.



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