In some of his sermons, al-Sudais has vilified non-Muslims and has called for the annihilation of Jews.[3][4] The Muslim Council of Britain, which has hosted Al Sudais, responded to some of these accusations, declaring them as being a part of a "witch-hunt" and charging that his words were "deliberately garbled".[5] BBC editor Mike Robinson subsequently rejected the MCB's claims, while accusing them of “unwarranted and wildly inaccurate attacks” and “bad faith allegations."[6]
Al-Sudais has called for efforts to combat terrorism,[7] discussed ways to combat terrorism,[8] and has preached Islam's opposition to "explosions and terrorism".[9] He actively speaks out against what he believes to be the persecution of Palestinians by Israeli settlers and the state of Israel,[10] and has pleaded for medical supplies and food to be sent to the Palestinians.[11]
Life and career
Al-Sudais comes from the Anza clan, and he had memorized the Quran by the age of 12.[1] Growing up in Najd, Al-Sudais studied at the Al Muthana Bin Harith Elementary School, and afterwards the Riyadh Scientific Institution from which he graduated in 1979 with a grade of excellent.[1] He obtained a degree in Sharia from Riyadh University in 1983, his Master's in Islamic fundamentals from the Sharia College of Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University in 1987 and received his Ph.D. in Islamic Sharia from Umm al-Qura University in 1995 while working there as an assistant professor after serving at Riyadh University.[1]In 2005, Al-Sudais was named by the Dubai International Holy Quran Award (DIHQA) Organising Committee as its 9th annual "Islamic Personality Of the Year" in recognition of his devotion to the Quran and Islam.[1] When accepting his award in Dubai, he said: "The message of Islam and Muslims is modesty, fairness, security, stability, sympathy, harmony and kindness."[12]
Statements on conflict resolution
In 2003, Sudais stated that he believes that youth need to be taught Islamic law, including the precepts of the prohibition on killing oneself and the prohibition against attacking non-Muslims living in Islamic countries. Sudais has also said that Islamic youth should not "indiscriminately hurl the label of atheism and not to confuse between legitimate jihad and…the terrorizing of peaceable people."[13]Sudais has said that there is no room for extremism and sectarianism in Islam and that Islam teaches a moderate path. He said the solution to problems that Muslims face in Palestine, Somalia, Iraq, Kashmir and Afghanistan lies in following the teachings of Islam in letter and spirit. He called for resolution of conflicts through dialogue and negotiations taking into consideration the social and economic benefits that can be achieved by resolving these disputes.[14]
Sudais also criticized the Lal Masjid administration during the 2007 Red Mosque crisis in Islamabad, Pakistan. He urged the militants and the government to agree to a peaceful resolution through dialogue and urged both parties to protect peace.[15]
Sudais is also known for his sermons calling on believers to help other Muslims in war-torn regions.[11]
Prayers for inter-faith peace
In June 2004, Sudais led a following of 10,000 in prayers for inter-faith peace and harmony. Racial Equality Minister Fiona Mactaggart attended Sudais' sermon at the East London Mosque. Prince Charles, who was in Washington, took part by a pre-recorded message[2] Britain’s chief Rabbi, Jonathan Sacks, sent a message of support.[16]Controversial statements on Jews
Al-Sudais has been described as an antisemite[17][18] for publicly praying to God to ‘terminate’ the Jews,[19][20][21] and as a result has been barred from conferences in the United States and been refused entry to Canada.[17]On April 19, 2002, in his sermon Al-Aqsa Is Crying Out For Help! Al-Sudais called the Jews "monkeys and pigs", among other invective.[20][21][22]
Al-Sudais has been listed as an example of theological anti-Semitism by the Anti-Defamation League, when he called curses down upon Jews and labeled them “scum of the earth” in his sermons.[23]
The International Broadcasting Bureau also has reported Sudais's antisemitism in a statement dated April 2002.[20]
In a May 2003 interview with NBC's Tim Russert, the foreign policy adviser to the Saudi crown prince, Adel al-Jubeir, confirmed al-Sudais's statements, agreed that they were “clearly not right”, and stated that he was reprimanded, but was still allowed to preach. He also said that "if he [Sudais] had a choice he would retract these words - he would not have said these words."[21]
Al-Sudais not only attacked Jews, but other non-Muslims as well, such as Hindus and Christians. John Ware on the BBC program Panorama entitled "A Question of Leadership" from August 21, 2005, cited Al-Sudais referring disparagingly to Christians as “cross-worshippers” and Hindus as “idol worshippers”.[3] Ware pointed out the discrepancy between Sudais's sermons to Saudis with his speech to Western audiences.[3]
The Muslim Council of Britain questioned the veracity of quotes given in the interview, calling them “deliberately garbled” and the program as a whole “deeply unfair”.[24] The Council urged caution, and while condemning any form of anti-semitic remarks, requested verification that these words were indeed spoken by Al-Sudais.[25]
After a series of exchanges, the BBC's Panorama editor, Mike Robinson, posted a response to each of the Muslim Council's allegations, accusing them of “unwarranted and wildly inaccurate attacks” and “bad faith allegations”.[6]
In August 2009, the Board of Deputies of British Jews protested a visit by Al-Sudais to Britain in which he gave lectures at several mosques and attended an event with Tory MP Tony Baldry. Baldry subsequently defended his decision to work with Al-Sudais, stating that "If I had written a text of what a moderate Muslim would say, his would have been a word-perfect example."[26]
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