To counteract the negativity of Sheikh Saad al Shethri’s views on King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, up steps the Imam of the Grand Mosque in Mecca. The Imam, Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais not only assured his congregation that the university is a good thing, but encouraged them to support it. He also warned them, according to this Arab News article, against those who cast doubts on the university.
Sudais commends opening of KAUST
MAKKAH: Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, on Friday commended the establishment of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Thuwal, 80 km northwest of Jeddah, as a major cultural and historic achievement.
“Everyone who loves science and knowledge will support this great qualitative development in (education),” said Al-Sudais while delivering his Friday sermon to thousands of worshippers who thronged the Grand Mosque.
Al-Sudais described the international research university as a lofty scientific fort and a giant bastion of scientific knowledge. He said the new university would contribute to restoring the past glory of the Islamic Ummah.
… “It is the duty of leaders, scholars, writers, media persons and youths to support this great effort and historic achievement,” the imam said and cautioned against those who create doubts about the university and its programs.
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October:10:2009 - 07:55
Telephones used to be the work of the devil at King Abdulaziz Time to the Tribal leaders and The Islamic Brotherhood supporters. Without the Leader standing against the Islamic extremists and curbing their influence, we would passing stone kidneys with sledge hammers.
October:10:2009 - 07:55
Escellent!
October:10:2009 - 07:55
we would passing stone kidneys with sledge hammers.
That put a big smile on my face.
October:10:2009 - 07:55
Unprepared – How can anyone expect teachers to get these kids ready for standardized tests? ,
October:10:2009 - 07:55
im my opinion, he is forced to support even if he disagrees within himself, the religious conservatives can’t afford to represent the bad guy in such situation, they would lose much of their influence, and remember ,the Imam of Grand Mosque is assigned directly by the king himself
regarding KAUST, I find it too early to judge or take sides, all the info I know about it from blogs which are mostly written by westerns which have different perspective than Saudis, but I can’t see why would one oppose building new university, aimed to move the country one step ahead
October:10:2009 - 07:55
Council of Senior Islamic Scholar member and popular TV sheik Dr. Abdullah Al Mutlag was asked by a caller in a live radio show about what he thought of KAUST and its non-segregation policy, and he replied like this:
“Our role, is known to us. Your role is to hear and obey and pray for the king.”
October:10:2009 - 07:55
Saudi Jawa, As I predicted in Qusay blog, eventually the religious establishment will tell people to put a sock in it, thank you Chiara for pointing me to the correct phrase. Its the insurance issue all over again, the picture for ID issue all over again.. it repeats itself… they ignore real problems, corruption, monopolies, failure in education, Saudization efforts in private sectors.. they never go against those.. but for an open society of freedoms.. they go all John Woo on us.
October:10:2009 - 07:55
Jaffar: Thanks for your comment, and welcome. I hope you continue to comment as a diversity of opinion is always useful.
You might be interested in a post today, based on Mshari Al-Zaydi’s column in Asharq Alawsat. He notes that for some, any imam associated with the state is always to be deprecated. One example from Saudi history that he uses is that of Juhayman al Otaibi, who took over the Grand Mosque in 1979.
Eman: I don’t think there was any confusion about what al Shethri was saying. It doesn’t take a scholar to see that he was directly criticizing the decision to have KAUST be co-ed. Not only did the King know it, he ordered it. To claim that he wasn’t aware of it, as al Shethri claimed, was either extremely disingenuous on his part–for which he got slapped down–or extremely dumb. Either justified his being removed from positions of authority.
October:10:2009 - 07:55
Accelerated Links – Saudi, Obama, Israel And Afghanistan…
Here are the “accelerated links” for 10/11/2009:
Discussing proportionality and self defence in war.
Obama’s lack of tangible achievements wins him a Noble prize.
Will American-Israeli co-opt Al-Jazeera’s Israel coverage ?
Exam…
October:10:2009 - 07:55
DW–great point and you are welcome about the expression!
October:10:2009 - 07:55
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Respectable Hajj Pilgrims
As’Salâm Alaikum Wa’Rahmatullâhi Wa’Barakâtuh
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