Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah gestures while receiving Prince Abdul Rahman during an Eid reception in Jeddah on Friday. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has urged officials and Islamic scholars to speak out against terrorism and work together to defend the Islamic faith. “You should overcome indifference and silence and shoulder your responsibility in protecting your religion,” the king said while hosting officials, clerics and other prominent personalities at his palace here Friday.

“I don’t have anything more to add to what I have already said in my speech today,” King Abdullah told the gathering, referring to his speech that denounced the Israeli war crimes in Gaza.

In his keynote speech, the king said the Israeli atrocities against the Palestinians would trigger more violence in the Middle East.

He also stated that extremists should not be allowed to hijack Islam and contribute to false impressions that this is a religion of hatred and terrorism.

“I believe that my speech represented the views of Muslim men and women around the globe,” the king said. “My Saudi brothers, my speech has conveyed your views and those of the Arab and Islamic nations.”

King Abdullah said he would be at the forefront of the fight against terror. “I am one of you. Don’t think I am just sitting here. If something were to happen…I would be the first (to deal with it).”

“Anomalous and spiteful people are easily recognizable,” he said. “Some are spiteful toward even themselves. How can humans kill each another like sheep.”

Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri said King Abdullah’s speech had urged the international community to take quick and serious measures to combat all forms of terrorism. “The speech has shed light on Israeli state terrorism and the massacres it has committed against innocent Palestinian civilians,” he said.

 
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