JEDDAH: Demonstrations and marches are being used by the enemies of Islam abroad to instigate sedition by citizens against their rulers and leaders, according to Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah Aal Al-Sheikh, the Grand Mufti and Chairman of the Board of Senior Scholars. He said the purpose of these demonstrations is to create rifts among the Ummah so it can be weakened and controlled easily. He said the recent incidents taking place in some countries are criminal plots meant to destroy the Ummah's religion, morals and values. He said people should think about the purpose of these conspiracies and should stick to Islamic teachings. He said Almighty Allah has blessed the Kingdom with security, stability and peace because of its strict application of the Holy Qur'an and Prophet's Sunnah in all affairs of life, in letter and spirit. This was the secret of the security which people enjoy in the Kingdom, he said. He said the Ahl-e-Al-Sunnah and Al-Jama'a – those Muslims who believe and live according to the Holy Qur'an and Sunnah – see that obedience to their leaders is one of the sound principles of the faith which prevents sedition and innovations. Dr. Nawaf Al-Faghm, a member of the security committee at the Shoura Council, said demonstrations lead to anarchy. He said the Shariah prohibits any action that destabilizes countries and their people. “The Kingdom has explained the stance of the Shariah toward chaotic behavior and actions while emphasizing that the doors of the rulers are open. The Islamic Shariah has approved this method and principle.” He said the Kingdom does not ban demonstrations for the sake of banning, but because these actions contravene the Shariah which is the Kingdom's constitution. If the leaders have opened their doors for everyone to raise their problems then this makes demonstrations unacceptable. He said the leadership's open-door policy is better than 20,000 demonstrations because it effectively conveys the grievances of citizens directly, without meddling or mediation. He said anarchy is nothing but destruction to people's honor and possessions. Some scholars and preachers have empathized that demonstrations are an imported innovation which leads to disunity and violates Islamic teachings. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Sulaiman Al-Manae, a member of the Board of Senior Ulema and Advisor at the Royal Court, said demonstrations encroach on people's rights and sanctity.
