http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=125497&d=15&m=8&y=2009
Saturday 15 August 2009 (24 Sha`ban 1430
Qur'an protects against terrorism, says Al-Asheikh
Arab News
RIYADH: Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowment, Call and Guidance
Saleh Al-Asheikh, stressed the importance of learning and spreading the message
of the Holy Qur'an as a defense against evils such as terrorism and extremism.
"The Qur'an is against terror and extremism in all its
manifestations. It affirms human rights," Al-Asheikh, who is also chairman of
the Higher Committee for Holy Qur'an Memorization Societies, said while
speaking on the final event of the contest for the Prince Salman Prize for
Qur'an Memorization for Boys and Girls in Riyadh on Friday.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowment, Call and Guidance will
organize the final contest under the aegis of Riyadh Gov. Prince Salman in
Riyadh on Aug. 30. A total of 56 boys and 42 girls have participated in the
local contest this year.
In his statement to Saudi Press Agency, Al-Asheikh affirmed
Qur'an's refutation of the claims of extremists that they are the real
followers of Qur'an while in fact they are spreading sedition and fighting
Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him).
Quoting from Qur'an Al-Asheikh said: "Almighty Allah says 'There is
the type of man whose speech about this world's life may dazzle you, and he
calls God to witness about what is in his heart; yet he is the most contentious
of enemies. When he turns his back his aim everywhere is to spread mischief
through the earth and destroy crops and cattle. But God loves not mischief.
(Holy Qur'an, Chapter: 2: Verses: 204 and 205).'"
The minister added that there are numerous verses in the Qur'an,
sayings of the Prophet and other texts urging believers to compete for
excellence in recitation, learning and teaching the Qur'an. The Muslims of the
earlier generations were also very much interested in the intensive study and
teaching of the Book of God.
The minister also commended the efforts made by the Kingdom to
spread the message of the Qur'an by establishing the King Fahd Complex for the
Printing of the Qur'an in Madinah for printing and distributing the copies of
Qur'an and its commentaries through out the world.
"The Kingdom encourages the learning and memorization of the Qur'an
among all sections of people including inmates. A prisoner's period of
punishment is reduced if he memorizes the Qur'an. The government also
established a number of charitable societies for the Qur'an memorization," he
said.
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