Saudi Arabia: Most senior religious body in Saudi Arabia, condemns terrorism and terror financing

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Council of Senior Ulema, the most senior religious body in Saudi Arabia, condemned terrorism and terror financing. Over the years the Council has condemned all forms of terrorism, and in its most recent ruling, reiterated its position. The Council stated that: "The financing of terrorist acts is a form of complicity to these acts that [are] a conduit for sustaining and spreading of evil."

In reaching its decision, the Council examined Islam's religious texts and sources and found solid references incriminating the financing of terrorism in the Holy Qur'an, the Sunnah (sayings and deeds of the Prophet Muhammad, pbuh) and the Shariah (Islamic Jurisprudence). The ruling cites specific passages from all three texts. After citing the evidence supporting its ruling, the Council issued the following opinion:

"Thus, the Council rules that the financing of terrorism; the inception, help or attempt to commit a terrorist act of whatever kind or dimension is forbidden by Islamic Shariah law and thereby constitutes a punishable crime; this includes gathering or providing finance for that end, or providing help or participating in any form or manner, including financial or non-financial assets, regardless whether these assets originated from legal or illegal sources. He who committees such a crime intentionally, commits a forbidden act, and is in flagrant violation of Shariah that calls for a punishment according to its law."

Source: Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Information Office

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