The Jerusalem Post March 27, 2003
Arabs called to unite in jihad against coalition
By Margot Dudkevitch
Hoisting a gun, Sheikh Abed al-Ghafour al-Qays called on Muslims and the Arab world to unite in jihad against the "evil coalition armies ." To refrain from doing so "constitutes a violation of Allah's command," he said in a sermon at the Abed al-Qadr al-Gaylani Mosque in Baghdad on Friday. His sermon was broadcast on Al-Arabia 1 television in Dubai in collaboration with the Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca. Portions were translated by the Middle East Media Research Institute and released for publication.
"We call on Muslims everywhere, and Arabs. We say to them: This is the day of jihad. The jihad has become a personal duty of every Muslim. To refrain from jihad today would constitute a violation of Allah's commands. It is a sin. Long live jihad," he said.
Calling US President George W. Bush a criminal, Qays declared the American leader had started a war that has no legitimate basis "only for the purpose of satisfying his wicked and evil soul and his thirst for pure blood."
He declared the US army would be defeated by the force of faith as the Iraqis fight with the strength of Allah, who, he said will bring victory to those who tell the truth even if it takes a long time.
He accused the Western media of spreading lies and rumors and collaborating with the coalition forces to purposely "delude the people as if their army is at the gates of Baghdad."
Qays called on Allah to guard the Iraqi army and sow fear in the hearts of the enemy.
"Allah send against them soldiers they cannot see... Allah bring victory to Islam and the Muslims... guard the believing leader of Iraq, the symbol of belief and jihad, the leader Saddam Hussein."
GRAPHIC: Map: Airstrikes pound Bagdad (Credit: Pentagon Briefings, Upi, Reuters, Globalsecurity.Org; Graphic News)
Copyright © 2003, The Jerusalem Post
