Oil is Saudi Arabia’s number one export, but the global impact of Saudi oil is eclipsed by the Kingdom’s other export, Wahhabist Islam, especially when the standard for measurement is fuel provided for terrorism.
Saudi Arabia has walked a fine line since the Islamist attack on America in September of 2001. It has courted public opinion, maintaining that Islam is peaceful and tolerant. In so doing, it has sought to persuade that bin Laden represents something other than the Islam of the Kingdom. But while oft stressing that bin Laden is banished from the Kingdom, apologists for Saudi Arabia do not take time to explain that his banishment has less to do with his beliefs, which are rooted in Wahhabism, than his willingness to pronounce hypocritical the practices of the ruling House of Saud- and the resulting destabilization of the monarchy. In fact, the distinction between Wahhabist ideology and the Islam of al Qaeda amounts to little more than the difference between loading a weapon and handing it to one who will use it for nefarious ends, and actually using the weapon to commit mass murder.
The extent of Saudi Arabia’s export of Wahhabism becomes apparent in reading a recent report from Freedom House (referenced in Opinion Journal yesterday). Titled Saudi Publications on Hate Ideology Fill American Mosques, the report documents in great detail the hatred, paranoia, ignorance, and outright lies that fill publications- including school textbooks- printed with the approval of the Saudi government and distributed in mosques, schools, and Islamic cultural centers throughout America.
On Other Religions
“[I]t is basic Islam to believe that everyone who does not embrace Islam is an unbeliever, and must be called an unbeliever, and that they are enemies to Allah, his Prophet and believers.”
On Ecumenism
“… [It] erases the differences between Islam and disbelief, between truth and falsehood, good and bad, and it breaks the wall of resentment between Muslims and the unbelievers, so that there is not loyalty and enmity, no more jihad and fighting to raise Allah’s word on earth.”
On Israel
“[T]hose coming from the United States tell us that the conviction of some Americans, who are from the educated class, would make a person feel sorry for them. They believe that Israel is a democratic and civilized country, and that it wants peace and stability; it welcomes the Jewish refugees escaping the hell of communism… As for millions of Palestinians who were driven out by Israel, the American citizen knows nothing about them.”
“… the Muslims will not rest until they cut off this disease and purify the land of Palestine from the plague of Zionism, and until its rightful owners reclaim it… Victory comes from Allah alone.”
On Apostasy
“… if you accept any religion other than Islam, like Judaism or Christianity, which are not acceptable, you become an unbeliever. If you do not repent, you are an apostate and you should be killed because you have denied the Koran.”
On America
“Today, crime spreads in the democratic world to such an extent that it is terrifying both the newborn and the very old. Examples encompass sex crimes, homicides, theft, betrayal, entrapment, and conspiracies…! Satan and his soldiers have found a home for themselves there… and anxiety, worry, fear, terror, sickness, and death have become prevalent. Democracy is in need of someone to save it from itself.”
On Democracy
“[Democracy is] responsible for all the horrible wars… the number of wars it started in the 20th century alone is more than 130 wars with more than 120 million people dead; not counting victims of poverty, hunger and disease.”
On Women
“The enemies of Islam, or the enemies of humanity today, the unbelievers, hypocrites, and those with sick hearts, are angry because of what the Muslim woman has received by way of honor, prestige, and safety in Islam. These enemies want the woman to become a destructive tool, bait they can use, to hunt down those who have weak faith and uncontrollable desires.”
There is much more in the report, and it is worth reading to understand the link between soulcraft Saudi style, and the formation of Osama bin Laden. Do so and you will want to know why our government does not forbid Saudi Arabia from exporting its filth and depravity to America. We do not need homegrown bin Ladens.
There is good news to report; Freedom House received encouragement and support in preparing the report from American Muslims disgusted with Wahhabism and alarmed by its widespread dissemination in America. Ultimate victory over Islamism hinges on theological defeat of Wahhabism by Muslims committed to democracy and pluralism. Finally the battle begins!
Posted by publius at February 1, 2005 07:43 AM