Imam Qazwini Condemns Wahhabi Clerics Statement

In the Name of Allah The Beneficent the Merciful

Islamic Center of America
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 13, 2006

Imam Qazwini Condemns Wahhabi Clerics Statement

Imam Hassan Qazwini, the Spiritual Leader of the Islamic Center of America, issued the following statement today:

It has been reported that a group of 38 Wahhabi scholars in Saudi Arabia have issued a joint statement calling on the global Sunni Muslim population to support Sunni Iraqis against their Shia brethren. The Wahhabi scholars urged this support through all channels, including military, financial, and moral support. This worrisome statement coincides with the New York Times article dated Wednesday, December 13, 2006, detailing how Saudi officials have informed the U.S. administration that it will provide financial backing to Iraqi Sunnis in any war against Iraqs Shiites if the United States pulls its troops out of Iraq.

Such a stance is extremely unfortunate, as we would expect the Saudi government and its Wahhabi scholars to call for self-restraint and reconciliation between Shias and Sunnis. Rather than being an instrument of peace, the Saudi government and the Wahhabi scholars have been involved in violent incitement and support for terrorists in Iraq. This sectarian violence waged by their own Saudi terrorists has brought disharmony and violence to a country that has not experienced sectarian violence for over a thousand years.

We condemn both the statement made by Saudi Wahhabis and the attempt by the Saudi government to ignite a civil war between Shias and Sunnis in Iraq. We urge the Saudi government to cease from meddling in the neighboring countrys affairs, hold these hardliner Wahhabis responsible for their inciting statement, and stop its support for Al-Qaida terrorists in Iraq.

We also request that all Muslim governments, as well as the government of the United States, pressure the Saudi government to curb the influence of these Wahhabi clerics and prevent any financial and military support from reaching the terrorists in Iraq.

Finally, we urge all Muslims -- Shia and Sunnis alike -- to stand united and work together to bring peace between their Muslim brethren in Iraq and call on them to reject bloodshed, civil war, and all hostile acts. By doing so, all Muslims will be displaying the unity and brotherhood described in the Holy Quran: The believers are but brethren, therefore make peace between your brethren. (Quran 49:10)