The
Future of US-Saudi Relations
House
Committee on International Relations, Subcommittee meeting
held last week
(ISCA
Update - May 28, 2002) In a landmark hearing last Wednesday, the House Committee on International
Relations heard testimony on the future of US-Saudi relations.
Once considered a "taboo" subject in Washington
circles, Representatives and private citizens testified about
the need to re-evaluate the relationship between the two nations.
Testimony focused on the need for religious reform and reducing
the influence of radical Wahhabi (also known as "Salafi")
teachings within and outside the kingdom.
Echoing
sentiments expressed by the Council for many years concerning
the dangers of the well-financed propagation of Wahhabi/Salafi
teachings in the US, the Honorable Bill Kristol testified:
"Wahhabi
teachings, religious schools and ...oil money have encouraged
young Muslims in countries around the world to a jihad-like
incitement against non-Muslims."
He also
noted the US should demand an end to states "financing
and encouraging radical and extreme Wahhabism, beginning with
mosques and charities in the United States but extending also
throughout the Islamic world, including Pakistan, Afghanistan
and other trouble spots." In conclusion, the Representative
stated, "Given its role in providing a breeding ground
for anti-American terror, the export of Wahhabism is a clear
and present danger to the United States and its citizens."
ISCA has
long warned against the threat of the global spread of the
Wahhabi/Salafi movement. Please visit our Extremism and Media
Center pages.
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