Top Saudi clerics condemn terror 'sin'

Saudi Arabia’s highest religious body has condemned violence by Islamic militants and deemed helping terrorists “one of the greatest sins.”

The statement from the Council of Senior Clerics came a day after Saudi authorities arrested at least 11 suspected militants and seized a large weapons cache in the southern Jazan province.

The government has cracked down heavily on Islamic militants since May 12 suicide bombings in Riyadh killed 26 people, as well as the nine attackers. The bombings also touched off a public debate over whether the strict form of Islam preached in the kingdom fostered intolerance and extremism.

The Council of Senior Clerics statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency late last night said participating in terrorist acts is “a dangerous criminal act ... punishable by Islamic law.”

Terrorism, “is an act of sabotage, and an absolute aberration. They (those behind recent attacks and plots) shouldn’t have been moved by corrupt statements and slogans which cause division and corrupt the nation,” the statement said, adding that justifications for violence have “no religious grounds.”

The council also urged Saudis to cooperate in ridding their society of violence and warned against “harbouring or giving (terrorists) shelter, as it would be considered one of the greatest sins.”

The Council of Senior Clerics has great influence over what is said in mosques, taught in schools and discussed in the media.

Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah said last week his kingdom was engaged in a “decisive battle” against violent extremists and warned that any Saudi who harbours terrorists would not be spared.