SAUDI ARABIA: NON-MOSLEMS FEAR ISLAM

Non-Muslims fear spread of Islam: Imam Ka’aba

MECCA: Fear of the spread of Islam in non-Muslim countries motivates attacks on Muslims in the West, the imam of Islam’s holiest shrine told worshippers celebrating Eid on Monday.

“Did you wonder why this issue is raised every now and then?” Sheikh Saleh Bin Humaid asked at the Grand Mosque in Mecca.He was referring to controversial remarks by Pope Benedict XVI last month in which he cited a 14th-century Christian emperor who said Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) had brought the world “evil and inhuman” practices. The issue “was raised only because the hearts of observers among the adversaries are filled with resentment over the spread of this faith”, said Bin Humaid.

Bin Humaid was delivering a sermon to worshippers led by King Abdullah on the first day of Eidul Fitr. His remarks were reported by the official Saudi SPA news agency.

“Copies of the Quran are a bestseller among non-Muslims and the numbers of those converting to God’s religion (Islam) are quickly multiplying in Christian and other non-Muslim countries,” he added.

“Religious and political leaders there have warned against the victory of Islam and its expansion,” he said.

Bin Humaid, who did not mention Western countries by name, cited what he said was a specialised study produced by “them”, and which predicted that Islam would prevail. The study “said that the future world order will be religious, and the Islamic order will prevail despite its current weakness because it (Islam) is the only religion that enjoys a comprehensive power”, he said, adding that this explained why “the symbols of Islam” were being abused and Muslims’ activities and charities were subjected to scrutiny.

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1) Non-Muslims fear spread of Islam: Imam Ka’aba