Saudi grand mufti slams petition seeking terrorists' release

An online petition for the release of people convicted of terrorism charges has been denounced as seditious by the Kingdom's grand mufti as well as a large number of citizens responding to the call on social media.The petition calling for the acquittal of members of the so-called “Jeddah Resthouse Cell,” was slammed by Saudis on Twitter, Facebook and other social networking sitesThe petitioners also demanded the cessation of security operations in Qatif where a large number of Shiite citizens live. The petition was signed by 67 peopleSocial networkers said the cell was supporting a terror outfit in Iraq that called itself Jaish Al-Islami (Islamic Army). They also said the petition was provocative and did not represent the majority view in the KingdomCommenting on the petition, Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh said signatories were stoking sedition and spewing venom with the aim of destabilizing the country.“The Kingdom's leadership under Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has full confidence in its people and strives to maintain security and stability in the land adhering to the Shariah and the principle of justice for all and no aggression against anyone,” Al-Asheikh said in a statement on Sunday.People in the Kingdom irrespective of their groups, classes or religious sects are equal under the Shariah, he said, adding that there is no discrimination against or preferential treatment for anyone. He said all people should obey the law of Allah and should not be misled by vitriolic statements on the Internet.“The petitioners are misguided and if they were sincere in their claims, they should have contacted the concerned authorities to demand their rights if they are legitimate,” he said.He added that the method they adopted to make their demands was incorrect and distorted the image of the Kingdom.The grand mufti urged the people of Qatif to fear Allah, not to heed any troublemakers and preserve the blessings, peace and stability they and other people in the Kingdom have been enjoying. He also commended the community leaders of Qatif who strove to keep such dissenters away.Some citizens said the petition does not have any legitimacy as only 67 people had signed it.Fadil Al-Harbi, a Saudi, said the demand of the petitioners is not based on human rights values or civic sense. “They demand the invalidation of legitimate court procedures and judgments, which were made not in secret but in full view of the media and representatives of human right organizations in the Kingdom.”He added that the demand to stop security procedures in place to protect innocent citizens and expatriate residents from terror attacks was also unfair. He considered the recent attack and killing of citizens, including women and policemen, in the Eastern Province as terrorism.