S.Africa reach out to S.Arabia about Muslim scholars

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) - South African Muslims have written to Saudi authorities expressing their concern at recent media reports which claim three prominent Muslim scholars arrested in the kingdom would be executed at the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

According to media reports, authorities in Riyadh are reportedly planning to execute three prominent Islamic scholars and public commentators accused of terrorisms and other offences.

They include Shaykh Salman al-Odah, Shaykh Awad Al-Qarni and Shaykh Ali Al-Omari.

“We are surprised and indeed shocked that such eminent personalities with a huge global following on social and digital media would be detained and accused of terrorism amongst other crimes,” a letter written by the South African Muslim Network and undersigned by several Muslim organizations and prominent individuals addressed to the Saudi embassy in Pretoria said.

South African Muslims want Saudi authorities to explain to all Muslims in the world how it is possible that the three prominent clerics who were know for peacefully spreading Islam have now been identified as criminals and terrorists.

“If indeed these scholars have been detained, then it behooves the Saudi government to disclose the nature of the charges, the judicial processes followed and the findings of the courts in this matter,” the letter said, obtained by Anadolu Agency.

South African Muslims are also calling on Saudi authorities to be transparent in the case involving the three Muslim scholars given their global prominence.

"If indeed these scholars have been found guilty of any charges, we sincerely call on the government of the Kingdom to reconsider this decision and impending action, if it is indeed true that such eminent personalities have been identified for execution” the Muslim organizations appealed.

They further added that if the scholars are executed, “it will be a huge loss for the global Muslim Ummah (community), especially in light of the fact that these individuals have been an asset to Islam throughout their lives and careers."