Arrests like this demonstrate how Muslims do themselves a disservice when they ignore or refuse to discuss the issue of jihad in Islamic texts and teachings: Even they are not immune to becoming targets of it. And insisting only the proper authorities can call for jihad affords no protection when there is violent disagreement over whose authority is legitimate in the first place. “Saudi says arrests 28 al Qaeda militants,” from Reuters:
RIYADH (Reuters) – Saudi security forces have arrested 28 al Qaeda militants suspected of planning “criminal acts” in the kingdom, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Sunday.
The suspects were arrested in Mecca, Madina, Riyadh and in an area near the country’s northern borders, said SPA quoting an official source at the Ministry of Interior.
One of those arrested is a foreign resident while the rest are Saudi nationals, it said without giving further details. “The (public) interest requires that further details be withheld for the time being,” it said.
The synchronized operations leading to the arrests began in mid-December, SPA said.
Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television said on Friday security forces had arrested an unspecified number of al Qaeda militants suspected of planning attacks in the country during the Muslim haj pilgrimage.
It was not immediately clear if the latest report referred to the same arrests.