Riyadh (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Acts of terrorism and funding them are contrary to Islamic law, Asharq Al Awsat said, citing a fatwa issued by Saudi Arabia’s highest religious authority. For the Council of Supreme Scholars, “Any act of terrorism, including providing financial support to terrorists” is “a crime,” regardless of where it takes place, the London-based newspaper reported. Anyone funding acts of terrorism will be considered a “partner” in the crime.
However, the Council did not specify a penalty for the act of financing terrorism, leaving that decision for the Islamic courts to determine, the newspaper said. The newspaper also did not say if the council prescribed a penalty for carrying out acts of terrorism.
The council described terrorism as any act that involves the “targeting of public resources,” “hijacking planes” or “blowing up buildings.”
With this ruling, the conservative body denounces all attacks carried out by al-Qaeda cells around the world, including against targets in the Saudi kingdom.