Jordanian king criticizes hijacking of Islam by 'ignorant extremists'

Published: 2005-09-14

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Muslim political and religious leaders must fight "to take back our religion from the vocal, violent and ignorant extremists who have tried to hijack Islam over the last 100 years," said King Abdullah II of Jordan. "They do not speak for Islam any more than a Christian terrorist speaks for Christianity," he said. "At one time or another, all religions have faced extremists who abuse the power of faith," he said Sept. 13 at The Catholic University of America in Washington. It was the only public speech during a two-day visit to Washington by the king, one of the most influential government leaders in the Middle East. In the West and in Muslim countries, there are people who are working for a "clash of civilizations," making it important that world political and religious leaders avoid "dogmatic conflicts," he said. The king criticized al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden as "lacking the proper qualifications and religious knowledge" to issue religious edicts advocating violence. Al-Qaida planned and executed the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States.

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