JEDDAH — The Kingdom's Grand Mufti has condemned suicide bombings as grave crimes, reiterating his stance in unusually strong language. Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Alsheikh denounced suicide attacks after the 9/11 assault on US cities. "Killing oneself is a grave crime and a grave sin," Al-Alsheikh was quoted as saying by Al-Hayat newspaper on Thursday. "Those who kill themselves with explosives are criminals who are hastening their way to hell." About two months ago, the mufti urged Saudis not to travel to Syria to join rebels battling to unseat President Bashar Al-Assad. "Their (suicide bombers) hearts have veered away from the right path, their minds have been invaded by evil," Al-Alsheikh said in a recent lecture in a Riyadh mosque. "They have been exploited in order to cause destruction to themselves and society." — SG
