Saudi Clerics: It's Good to Kill GIs

November 7, 2004
New York Post

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Terror-loving Saudi religious scholars have called on Iraqis to support militants waging jihad against the U.S.-led coalition forces, saying fighting the occupation was a duty and a right.

In an open letter to the Iraqi people posted on the Internet yesterday, 26 Saudi scholars and religious preachers stressed that armed attacks launched by militant Iraqi groups on U.S. troops and their allies in Iraq were "legitimate" resistance.

The scholars ó some of whom have been criticized in the past for their extremist views ó issued a fatwa, or religious edict, prohibiting Iraqis from offering any support for military operations carried out by U.S. forces against militant strongholds.

"Fighting the occupiers is a duty for all those who are able. It is a jihad [holy war to push back the assailants," said the letter. "Resistance is a legitimate right. A Muslim must not inflict harm on any resistance man or inform about them. Instead, they should be supported and protected."

Among the 26 scholars who signed the letter are influential Sunni Muslim clerics, Sheik Safar al-Hawali, Sheik Nasser al-Omar, Sheik Salman al-Awdah, Sheik Sharif Hatem al-Aouni and Sheik Awad al-Qarni.

Al-Hawali ó jailed in the 1990s for five years without trial because of his criticism of U.S. involvement in the 1991 Gulf War ó is known for his radical views and was once close to al Qaeda terror mastermind Osama bin Laden.

The scholars said their appeal was prompted by "the extraordinary situation through which the Iraqis are passing which calls for unity and exchange of views."

http://www.nypost.com/news/worldnews/33532.htm