SAUDI ARABIAN ISLAMIC LEADER SAYS ALL CHURCHES IN ISLAMIC NATIONS SHOULD BE DESTROYED

ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY ANNOUNCES HE IS STEPPING DOWN AT THE END OF THE YEAR

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SAUDI ARABIAN ISLAMIC LEADER SAYS ALL CHURCHES IN ISLAMIC NATIONS SHOULD BE DESTROYED

Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, the highest official of religious law in the Sunni country, has reportedly declared that it is “necessary to destroy all the churches” in the region, implying that no other religion besides Islam will be tolerated on the Arabian Peninsula. There are currently no churches in Saudi Arabia. Al-Asheikh made the statement during a meeting with a delegation from a Kuwait-based NGO, Society of the Revival of Islamic Heritage, in response to a question on what Sharia law says about building churches. The question was a reference to a recent controversial statement by a Kuwaiti member of parliament who reportedly called for the “removal” of churches.

In February, legislation was introduced in the Kuwaiti parliament to remove Christian churches from Kuwait and impose Islamic law. Party officials said later the legislation would not remove the churches but prohibit the further construction of Christian churches and non-Muslim places of worship in the country. Saudi Arabia is officially Muslim and other religions are forbidden. Nevertheless, a small minority of Christians are known to worship there, unofficially. According to one 2008 estimate, there were 800,000 Catholics living in Saudi Arabia at the time. Although there are no official church buildings, Christians are allowed to worship at homes and some other designated buildings.

Saudi Christians often include foreign immigrants. Recently, a Christian watchdog said that a group of Christians from Ethiopia had been imprisoned in the Saudi kingdom for holding a prayer meeting in a private apartment. The Kuwaiti delegation reportedly wanted to confirm with the Grand Mufti what Islamic law says concerning the building of churches, to which Al-Asheikh stressed that Kuwait was part of the Arabian Peninsula and it was therefore necessary to destroy all churches. He referred to one of the phrases believed to have been uttered by the prophet Muhammad in which the prophet said that there are “not to be two religions in the Arabian Peninsula”, which has always been interpreted to mean that only Islam can be practiced in the region.

The Grand Mufti’s words evoked some heated reactions. Raymond Ibrahim of Jihad Watch, a blog critical of Islamic laws considered extremist or intolerant, said that if a similar event took place in the Western world, its religious leaders would surely be shunned. “Imagine what would happen if a Christian counterpart to the Grand Mufti, say the Pope, were to declare that all mosques in Italy must be destroyed; imagine the nonstop Western media frenzy that would erupt, all the shrill screams of ‘intolerance’ and ‘bigot,’ demands for apologies if not resignation, nonstop handwringing by sensitive politicians, and worse,” Ibrahim wrote.

Source: The Christian Post

ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY ANNOUNCES HE IS STEPPING DOWN AT THE END OF THE YEAR

The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams has announced that he will step down from his role at the end of the year. His decision comes after 10 years in the post and after accepting the position of Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge. In a statement issued from Lambeth Palace, Dr Williams said,  ¢â‚¬Å“It has been an immense privilege to serve as Archbishop of Canterbury over the past decade, and moving on has not been an easy decision. During the time remaining there is much to do, and I ask your prayers and support in this period and beyond. I look forward to continuing to serve the Church ¢â‚¬â„¢s mission and witness as best I can in the years ahead. ¢â‚¬ 

Following the announcement, the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion Canon Kenneth Kearon wrote to members of the Standing Committee informing them of the decision. He asked them to remember Archbishop Williams and his family during this time of transition and reflected on the Primate ¢â‚¬â„¢s time in office saying it had  ¢â‚¬Å“coincided with a period of turmoil, change and development in the Anglican Communion, and his careful leadership, deeply rooted in spirituality and theology, has strengthened and inspired us all in the Communion during this time. ¢â‚¬ 

The Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu said he was saddened to hear the news:  ¢â‚¬Å“Our partnership in the gospel over the past six years has been the most creative period of my ministry. It has been life-giving to have led missions together, gone on retreats and prayed together. In his company I have drunk deeply from the wells of God ¢â‚¬â„¢s mercy and love and it has all been joyful. He is a real brother to me in Christ.  ¢â‚¬Å“The last decade has been a challenging time for the Church of England and the Anglican Communion. Thankfully, Archbishop Williams is a remarkable and gifted leader who has strengthened the bonds of affection. ¢â‚¬ 

Source: Anglican Church News Service

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