The Imam of Mecca’s Grand Mosque and Islam’s holiest site, the Kaaba, Abdul Rahman al-Saudais, has met with criticism because of his statements about Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and President of the United States Donald Trump being “saviours of the world.”
Al-Saudias, who has been Imam of the Masjid al Haram since 1984 and the President for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques since 2012, is a much revered and respected figure in the eyes of much of the Muslim world. However, he has not come under fire from almost all corners for describing the United States and Saudi Arabia as the “two poles on earth steering the world to peace.”
Moreover, he went on to pray for the success of President Trump saying “praise be to God that the US President and our King are leading the world to the ports of security and prosperity.”
The Imam said this during a visit to New York in an interview with Saudi TV channel “Al Akhbariya.” Saudias had been there for a two day conference arranged by the World Muslim League titled “Civilizational communication between the United States of America and the Islamic World.”
In response, a number of people from all over the world questioned the Imam’s statement and were critical of his praise for Donald Trump. Interestingly enough, the news also caused significant debate among Saudi citizens over social media, something that rarely happens when public figures are involved.
Sudais: “US is leading the world to peace.”
where? Afghanistan, Yemen, Iraq, Somalia or Syria, can anyone tell me?
— Dread Muslim (@DreadMos) September 18, 2017
Sudais did not just say the leader of KSA and DONALD TRUMP are bringing peace and security to the world …OH WAIT he just did https://t.co/EoShaSP1LC
— バスマ (@RugsMMA) September 18, 2017
لم يصبح #عبدالرحمن_السديس إماماً للحرم المكي إلا من سوء نيتهِ وقبح أفعاله فلا غرابة أن يقول مثل هذا القول #السديس_امريكا_تقود_العالم_للسلام
— المصطلح السياسي ٣ (@cectvty783) September 17, 2017
Translation: Abdulrahman al-Sudais wouldn’t have been made Imam of the Grand Mosque if he didn’t have bad intentions, and evil doings, and so there is nothing weird about him saying what he said.
#تصريح_السديس_لا_يمثلني تصريحه يمثل النظام السعودي .. الذي يعتبر ترامب ولي أمره ..
— الدكتور حزام الحزام (@hazam_ksa) September 18, 2017
Translation: His words reflect those of the Saudi tyrants . . . who consider Trump to be their protector.
