Watan-The Saudi preacher Hussein al-Awlaqi sparked widespread controversy after stating that the actions taken by Palestinian resistance in Gaza against Israeli occupation represent acts of rioting.
Al-Awlaqi said in a video clip that what he called the actions in Gaza are not wise in any way, claiming they are acts of rioting and not in accordance with the Sunnah.
He added that one should return to scholars of the Sunni community such as the Council of Senior Scholars in Saudi Arabia and urged not to take fatwas from what he described as “ordinary people who may be innovators.”
He reiterated that the current actions in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, are not in accordance with the Sunnah and represent acts of rioting with grave consequences, according to his claim.
Al-Awlaqi’s statements stirred widespread anger against the preacher, whose words came at a time when Saudi Arabia is witnessing societal unrest due to the policies pursued by the kingdom, which have deeply affected conservatism.
Yemeni Minister of Information’s advisor Mukhtar al-Rahbi said: “The smallest fighter’s shoe in Gaza and Palestine is more honorable than you and your words, you who disparage the honor and pride of the nation and its Gaza… Gaza is fighting on behalf of a billion and a half Muslims.”
حذاء أصغر مقاتل في غزة وفلسطين اشرف منك ومن اقولك ومن حديثك أيها المتطاول على شرف الامة وفخرها وغزها .
غزة تقاتل نيابة عن مليار ونصف مليار مسلم .#غزة_العزة pic.twitter.com/z3DAEeniho— مختار الرحبي (@alrahbi5) February 12, 2024
Analyst Rashid Ma’roof commented: “Sheikh Hussein al-Awlaqi is like someone farting during the final prostration. He has been silent all this time, then he issues fatwas at a time when the whole world is talking about Israel’s crimes. Alright, Sheikh, tell us, are Israel’s crimes and the killing and injuring of nearly 100,000 innocent people in accordance with the Sunnah?”
Activist Murtadha al-Jarmouzi said: “May Allah curse you, you hypocrite, and may Allah curse you in this life before the hereafter.”
Activist Muhammad Azz al-Din wrote: “O Allah, hasten the disappearance of every oppressor, hypocrite, and those who remain silent in the face of the truth against the negligent rulers. O Allah, support those who support the religion and abandon those who abandon Islam and the Muslims.”
حسين العولقي: الأفعال الموجودة الآن في غزة ليست من السنة في شيء،بل هي أعمال شغب وعواقبها وخيمة.
والواجب الرجوع لهيئة كبارالعلماء في السعودية! اللهم عجل في زوال كل ظالم وكل منافق وكل من سكت عن كلمةالحق في وجه الحكام المتخاذلين اللهم انصر من نصر الدين وخذل من خذل الاسلام والمسلمين pic.twitter.com/mcLplJz4qV— Mohammed AZ Aldin (@MohmedAZAldin1) February 12, 2024
One activist said: “The Saudi Sheikh Hussein al-Awlaqi is a Jew from the Mossad. May Allah curse him and his parents.”
الشيخ حسين العولقي مثل الذي يضرط بآخر ركعة، قد كان ساكت طوال هذه الفترة قام يفتي بهذا التوقيت الذي يتحدث فيه العالم كله عن جرائم إسرائيل، طيب ياشيخ افتينا هل جرائم إسرائيل وقتل وإصابة ما يقارب 100 الف من الأبرياء هل هذا من السنة؟ pic.twitter.com/GvzrkwFEhp
— راشد معروف (@RashidMaarouf) February 12, 2024