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Politics : America Under Siege: The End of Innocence -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: lorne who wrote (11065)	11/27/2001 5:24:17 PM
From: lorne	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 27724

Saudi Arabia blasts Western criticism as hatred against Islam RIYADH (AFP) — Saudi Arabia has been targeted for strong criticism by Western media because it is the only country in the world that applies Sharia, or Islamic law, the kingdom's crown prince said in remarks released Monday. “The reason for the hatred against our country is because your nation is governed by Sharia,” Prince Abdullah Ben Abdul Aziz told the kingdom's top military, police and intelligence chiefs overnight in Riyadh. “I am certain that there is no other country in the world that is implementing Islam. This is a cause for pride. We, God willing, will live and die while adhering to this faith, and implementing its rules,” he said, quoted by the official Saudi Press Agency. Following the Sept. 11 terror attacks in the United States, the oil-rich kingdom was accused by some Western media, notably the New York Times, of being soft on terrorism and of encouring extremism. Riyadh strongly refuted the accusations and underlined its commitment to combatting terrorism. “The campaign unleashed by newspapers targeting your country after the attacks in the United States included insults against Islam, Arabs and Muslims in general, and you (the Saudis) in particular,” Abdullah said. “You know who stands behind these newspapers ... which criticise your religion, the dearest thing to you, your faith and the Holy Koran. “They must understand that you are strong by having faith in God and adhering to your faith,” the crown prince said. “There is no bargain over two very important things... faith and the nation. All those near and far must understand this fact,” said Abdullah, who runs the day-to-day affairs of Saudi Arabia. He also called on his countrymen to “tighten belts” because the kingdom, like the rest of the world, has been economically affected by the events. Most Saudi economists forecast a small budget deficit by the end of this year, but a bigger deficit is expected next year because of a sharp drop in oil prices. More than 80 per cent of the Saudi government income comes from oil. jordantimes.com