Alwaght- A senior Islamic scholar in Washington D.C. says Saudi regime is engaged in a campaign to American public opinion in favor of the rulers of the Arab country.
Speaking on the occasion of Eid al-Adha prayers in the US capital of Washington, D.C., Imam Muhammad al-Asi, who led the prayers, highlighted the Saudi regime’s crimes across the world and especially in the West Asia region.
The Eid al-Adha prayers were also held outside the Islamic Center of Washington yesterday with a number of Shiites and Sunnis in attendance.
Imam al-Asi revealed that a meeting has been held recently between a group of former congressmen and representatives of major pro establishment media outlets in the US. The meeting was chaired by a leading pro-Israel Dennis Ross and Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, during which the Saudi official was informed of the negative view of the US public about the Riyadh regime.
In recent years, some Western countries, including the US, have suffered attacks from Takfiri terrorist groups like ISIS which are believed to have been created and supported by Saudi Arabia.
Imam Al Asi in his Eid sermon also referred to the history of the 'Disavowal from Pagans' (baraat minal mushrikeen) and said it is based on the Holy Quran. He added that Saudi regime muftis have falsely claimed this ceremony is an innovation of Iranians. Imam Al Asi pointed out that 'Disavowal from Pagans' is a Quranic concept and a tradition of Sunnah of the Holy Prophet PBUH. He added the Saudi rulers oppose this concept while obeying the whims of Zionists.
This khutbah was presented by Imam Muhammad Asi on the occasion on the sidewalk of Embassy Row in Washington D.C. The Imam previously led the daily and Jum’ah prayers inside the Masjid. His speeches were revolutionary and thought provoking and eventually irritated and threatened the Middle-East Ambassadors who control the Masjid. Finally, the Imam, his family and other Muslims faithful to the course of Islam were forced out, into the streets.
History of Washington D.C. Islamic Centre
The Islamic Center (IC) in Washington, D.C. was established during the 1950's and registered as a trust.
During the 1950's and 1960's the number of Muslims in the Washington metropolitan area was scanty. But then during the 1970's the number of Muslims began to increase and multiply and the Muslim community in Washington decided to elect the administration at the IC. The process of elections took almost two years of preparations and convincing. Finally, during the last Friday in the month of November 1981, the Muslim congregation in Washington held the first ever election at the IC after Friday prayers. And, as a result of that election, a new administration was now charged with the daily and occasional responsibilities of an Islamic Center/Mosque.
Following this election, the Saudi Arabian embassy began interfering in the internal affairs of the Islamic Center. The elected administration (11 members) held regular shura (council) meetings. They conducted Islamic classes in the masjid every week. They also welcomed other Muslims who sought Islamic study circle activities in the masjid. All in all, the IC had become a hub of activities that for the first time were generated by the peoples’ devotion and enthusiasm.
On ‘Eid al-Fitr in July 1983 – without prior notice – the doors of the IC were opened early in the morning and all Muslims began streaming into the IC for ‘Eid prayers. During the time of the takbirat (leading to the salat) the Washington, DC metropolitan police entered the IC and arrested Imam Mohammad al-‘Asi and fifty other Muslims and took them to jail. They spent ‘Eid in jail and were released the following day. They were charged with two counts of “unlawful entry into the mosque” and “disturbing a religious service.” These are misdemeanor charges which would normally be prosecuted in a week or so. But this trial of these fifty or so Muslims continued for four long months. Every day the defendants were required to show up in court. And at the end of this extended trial the judge dropped the charge of “disturbing a religious service.” But the jury after one full week of deliberations came out and said that the Muslims are guilty of unlawful entry into the mosque! The Muslims had to pay a fine and do community service. And since then there has been a security arrangement at the IC to prevent these Muslims from entering the Masjid. Undeterred by Saudi interference and siege of the Islamic Centre, Muslims led by Imam Al Asi converged every week on Friday and during ‘Eid prayers every year on the sidewalks– rain or shine, in the dead heat of summer and on the ice of winter.
