Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud stated in this AP report that his country has dramatically changed since the 9/11 terror attacks. He insists that his people have “seen the face of the devil” — a look at what life could be like with extremists running the show — and that they do not want it. The Foreign Minister also stated that “one of his main charges from King Abdullah is to let Americans know what Saudi Arabia is really like – and that it’s not a terror haven.”
There is no doubt that the Saudi government is fighting extremists on their own soil, but are the heady days of post 9/11 when Saudi children sang praises of Osama bin Laden waning? This July 15th sermon, aired on Saudi television, indicates that neither the Saudi government nor the Saudi people took issue with the following call to rid Muslim lands of infidels because of the bad influence they have upon the morals of the faithful:
“Oh Allah, liberate our Al-Aqsa Mosque from the defilement of the occupying and brutal Zionists. Oh Allah, make it high and mighty until Judgment Day. Oh Allah, punish the occupying Zionists and their supporters from among the corrupt infidels. Oh Allah, scatter and disperse them, and make an example of them for those who take heed.”
King Abdullah may wish to present Americans with a rosy picture of Saudi society, but his government, fueled by petroleum wealth, is pursuing a much different course: a continuing propagation of jihad ideology by financing terrorist groups. Saudi charities also still contribute to this kitty, thus contradicting the Foreign Minister’s absurd claim that everyday Saudi citizens do not support the violent spread of Islam. The common Saudi, just like any faithful Muslim, is sanctioned by Qur’anic verses that exhort the faithful to financial jihad:
“Go forth light and heavy, and strive hard in Allah’s way with your property and your persons; this is better for you, if you know.” [9:41]
If the Saudi citizen is unable to strive in Allah’s way by making “charitable” contributions, then the second injunction of [9:41] to strive hard with your person is even more acceptable. The Saudi claims of making great strides against terrorist activity are only valid within the kingdom itself. The export of the jihad, however, remains unchecked. At least one analysis has found that 55 percent of foreign insurgents in Iraq hail from Saudi Arabia. And this September 22nd article, “based on reports obtained by the National Association of Chiefs of Police” states in the opening paragraph:
“US government and other experts have reported that Islamic extremism is on the rise and that the spread of Islamic extremism is the preeminent threat facing the United States. In addition, various sources alleged that Saudi Arabia is one source that has supported and funded the spread of Islamic extremism globally.”
Private citizens are also reported to be funding this global malaise.
“A number of sources have reported that Saudi private entities and individuals, as well as sources from other countries, are allegedly financing or supporting Islamic extremism.”
“.in July 2005, a Treasury official testified before Congress that Saudi Arabia-based and -funded organizations remain a key source for the promotion of ideologies used by terrorists and violent extremists around the world to justify their agenda.”
Saudi duplicity is nothing new. Many more Americans are becoming aware that Saudi Arabia is far from being an ally of the United States. Prince Saud, with his disingenuous comment concerning Saudi Arabia change since 9/11, insults the intelligence of the common American. The astute American observer will note that no Saudi metamorphosis has taken place.