After a poll was published last week with alarming findings, according to which 96% of Saudis believe Arab countries should cut all ties with Israel in protest of the war in Gaza, Saudi Sheikh Ibrahim bin Saleh al-Mahmid addresses the public, attacks Hamas and criticizes the conduct of the terrorist organization.
This video, showing Saudi preacher Sheikh Ibrahim al-Muhamid saying that what is happening in Gaza is not a war for Allah but a war for Satan, has been circulating on social media in recent days. Al-Mukhimid says that the war in Gaza is a "fitna" war (division and anarchy) and not a legal Sharia war, because the Muslims have benefited from it and certainly not... pic.twitter.com/Rik82oTHi4
— Saudi Arabia in Hebrew | السعودية بالعبرية (@SaudiAInHebrew) December 26, 2023
"This is not jihad. This is jihad for Satan," Al-Mahmid said in a video posted on social media, "Don't be tempted to cheer in light of what's happening in Palestine. Whoever says that what is happening in Palestine is a victory should check if he has a problem in his head."
He further emphasizes: "What kind of victory are they talking about? How did October 7 benefit Muslims? They say they imposed their terms. Let ten thousand prisoners remain in prison and not a single Muslim will be killed. This is a fitna [internal war] and not a legitimate war," he said.
Street in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Public opinion is once again biased against Israel, Photo: Reuters
The video was published three weeks ago and drew criticism from opposition elements in Saudi Arabia. During the video, the sheikh explained the religious conditions in Islam for jihad. "In Islam there is jihad for defense and jihad is required. Some people deny that jihad is required. And there are those who launch such a jihad without maintaining its conditions and principles. This jihad has conditions."
"One of the conditions is that you have to be under the flag of one emir [of Islam]. You have to have the ability. Jihad means protecting the homes of Muslims and healing the hearts of believers. When jihad stirs hatred in the hearts of believers and violates it, it is not jihad. It's jihad for Satan." He added that anyone who wants "victory over the descendants of apes and pigs" (a derogatory term for Jews in Islam) should examine himself.
Hamas terrorists breach the border fence with Gaza, photo: Arab networks
According to the survey conducted by an American pro-Israel institute of 1,000 Saudi citizens between November 14 and December 6, 40% of Saudis hold favorable views of Hamas – a jump from a poll conducted a few months before the war began, when 10% of the kingdom's citizens expressed support for the organization. Only 16% of Saudis in the current poll said Hamas should stop calling for the destruction of Israel and accept the two-state solution.
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