ABUSING THE MINBAR TO JUSTIFY TIES WITH ISRAEL IN THE HOLIEST MOSQUE IS REGRETTABLE

We register our strong objection to the Friday sermon on the 4 th September delivered by Abdulrahman al-Sudais, the imam of the Grand Mosque of Mecca that raises questions on possible Saudi normalisation with Israel

The imam is insinuating in his sermon to justify normalisation in the wake of Israel-UAE deal.

He had created a stir when his sermon opens up to be interpreted by some as a prelude to Saudi normalisation with Israel.

Sudais delivered a Friday sermon in which he preached dialogue and kindness to non-Muslims, making specific reference to Jews. 

It signaled speculation that the normalised diplomatic ties by UAE with israel is endorsed by Saudi Arabia.

Regretably the imam used the Quranic principles to urge worshippers to support the deal.

He went on to mention several stories from the Prophet Muhammad’s life in which he maintained good relations with non-Muslims.

We regret that the imam has the audacity to use the narration of the Prophet to justify the normalization with israel. What right has he to represent the Palestinians to drop their ressistance against tyranical forces that have trangressed the alienable rights of the oppressed. 

He went on to stress the importance of remaining obedient towards leaders and authorities, and to be aware of “misguided factions and groups”. 

This is clearly abusing the platform of Islam’s holiest mosque. Obedience cannot be endorsed to rulers who are unjust and deny the truth.

Unfortunately the Noble Sanctuary was used irresponsibly to prepare for a possible Saudi-Israeli normalisation. 

While the Saudis always repeated to keep the Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques out of politics but they are now using the pulpits of Holy Mosque to justify a wrong decision.

Now it is clear , that the covert relations between Saudi and israel is slowly exposed. Al-Sudais is exploiting the al-Haram al-Sharif forum to promote normalisation and to call for obedience to murderous rulers. 

We warn that by doing this it will signal the future of Islam is in danger if the two sacred places continue to be in the hands of tyranic rulers and imams without conscience.

Sudais contradicts himself when in  his sermon  he discussed the status of the Al-Asqa Mosque in Jerusalem, which he said had been “taken prisoner”, but by the same token is endorsing deal with the israel who is persistently executing the plan to destroy Al Aqsa.

We condemn the normalisation deal between Israel and the UAE which is against the status of Al-Aqsa, the third-holiest site in Islam. 

It is obviuos that the United States, Israel and the UAE deal was an intentional attempt to open up the Al-Aqsa compound for Jewish prayer and ultimately change the status quo.

While Jews are at present allowed to access the site, Palestinians are not allowed to pray there as per an agreement between Israel and Jordan, the official custodian of Christian and Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem.

We reject the normalisation and dealing with Israel and linking it to prophetic narratives whose historical context does not match the current reality. This to us , is a betrayal to the struggle of the Prophet against injustice. 

We abhore that the Arab leaders are now under the scrutiny of Trump and his son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner to shore up regional support for the deal between Israel and the UAE.

We have no confidence in King Salman’s stance that any peace agreement with Israel was contingent on a deal between Israel and the Palestinian leadership establishing a Palestinian state.

With the way the Saudi is projecting a favorable position on the deal with israel, it is only a matter of time Saudi will announce it will follow suit.

Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid
President Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations.

Datuk Seri Syekh Ahmad Awang
Chair Alliance of World Mosques in Defence of Al Aqsa

Datuk Wira Abdul Ghani Samsudin
Chair Secretariat for the Ulama Assembly of Asia