ARAFAT — Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh called on the Islamic Ummah to stand united in defeating extremists who are harming the image of Islam. “The sons of evil have grown among us who are morally sinful and mentally reckless,” the Grand Mufti said in his Arafat Day sermon on Wednesday. “These people strayed from the rank of Muslims by shedding the blood of the innocent with their suicide missions and destruction of mosques. They inculcate deviant ideas in the minds of our children,” said the Grand Mufti. He urged the youth not to fall into the trap of enemies who try to lure them into the fold of deviant ideology. “The words of enemies are contrary to their deeds. They are criminal gangs who strayed from Islam, and hence Islam is nothing to do with them,” he said. The Grand Mufti underlined the need for projecting the true image of Islam as a religion of peace, justice, mercy and compassion. Al-Asheikh said the enemies are plotting against Islam and its followers. “The enemies include those outside Dar Al-Islam (abode of Islam), and enemies within, in the garb of Muslims and shouting slogans in the defense of the Islamic Ummah. But these people are deceiving the ignorant and ordinary people with their evil and malicious designs,” he said. The Grand Mufti said the guidance into the fold of Islam is the greatest of all the blessings Allah bestowed on Muslims. All our praise and prayers to Allah are nothing when compared to the greatness of this blessing, he said. “Islam is the origin of our life, source of our happiness, medicine for our wounds, and panacea for our ills. Makkah and Madinah attained their majesty and greatness only because of Islam and revelation of the divine message of the Qur'an. Hence these cities are unique in their features and specialties,” he said. The Grand Mufti said the Kingdom is exerting every effort to save Yemen from the injustice of aggressors. Criticizing the Houthi rebels, he said they are a criminal and sinful group with malignant thinking. “They are abusing and cursing the Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him). They also targeted Aisha, the Mother of Believers, with their lies and slander,” he said. Referring to the assault on the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Al-Quds, the Grand Mufti warned against the move to disrespect and divide the holy mosque.
