American Muslims Protest at Saudi Embassy to Denounce Terrorism

    WASHINGTON and CHICAGO, Oct. 17 /PRNewswire/ --

    WHO:  Al-Baqee is a coalition of concerned American Muslims across America
    which promotes the preservation of the religious, architectural and
    cultural heritage of Islam by fostering and advancing a peaceful
    understanding of Islam and denouncing acts of terrorism, vandalism and
    radicalism in the name of Islam.

    WHAT:  Over hundreds of concerned American Muslims from across America
    will gather in Washington D.C to march in support of al-Baqee's cause and
    vigorously protest against a fatwa (creed) issued by Wahhabi Mufties
    (religious figures) calling for the destruction of Holy Shrines in Iraq
    and Damascus, Syria (reported in the Saudi daily newspaper, Al-Watan
    (The Nation), July 24th issue).

    WHEN:  1 p.m.-4 p.m., Monday October 22 2007

    WHERE:  The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia:  601 New Hampshire Avenue, NW,
    Washington DC 20037.

    WHY:  Saudi Arabia's Government is aware of the groups who directly
    support terrorism by hosting and supporting those who issue calls and
    ideologies that encourage terrorism in Iraq and elsewhere.

    Muslims across America denounce the destruction of the Islamic holy
    shrines which represent our religious, architectural and cultural
    heritage. Similar calls for destruction are responsible for the bombings
    of the Al-Askariyya Shrine in Samarra, Iraq twice last year, in which
    hundreds of civilians were killed. Such radicalism is present in Saudi
    Arabia and is also responsible for the destruction of the Jannat-ul-Baqee
    cemetery in Madina, Saudi Arabia on April 21, 1925, where several
    companions and family members of the Prophet are buried. The destruction
    of Jannat-ul- Baqee is a major crime committed by the Wahhabis within
    Saudi Arabia against the people of Islam and is a great loss to the
    heritage of Islam.

    Saudi Arabia has unfortunately been turned into a school for nurturing
    terrorism. According to the latest report by US military, more than half
    of the foreign fighters entering Iraq are coming from Saudi Arabia
    (Los Angeles Times, July 18 2007).  Not to mention 15 of the 19 hijackers
    on September 11, 2001 were Saudi nationals. Al-Baqee would like to promote
    the awareness of such Wahhabi efforts aimed at further division of the
    Muslim community which are fueling Intra-Islamic terrorism and destruction
    around the world.

    We appeal to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to end all governmental support
    and ties to the Wahhabi structure in the Saudi Kingdom and worldwide. As a
    close U.S.-ally, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has an obligation for
    providing freedom of worship and honoring human rights for all within its
    borders. Al-Baqee calls upon the Saudi Govt. for the restoration and
    preservation of Islamic Holy Sites (i.e. Jannat-ul- Baqee) and encourages
    Saudi government to use its influence to restrain Wahhabi rhetoric that is
    fueling much destruction around the world.