MECCA (VINnews) — The Imam of the Grand Mosque in Mecca,Abdul Rahman al-Sudais, has provoked a social media storm after delivering a Friday sermon which seemed to hint that there is a religious case for Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries to normalise relations with Israel.
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Al-Sudais discussed Islamic teachings that emphasised respect towards non-Muslims and referred to traditions from Mohammed concerning how to interact with Jews, in a move which was associated with current events, with the UAE and Israel reaching a historic peace deal last month.
“The Prophet had mortgaged his shield to a Jew when he died, he had shared harvest from the land of the Jews of Khaybar among two. The excellence he showed to his Jewish neighbour led the latter to embrace Islam”, the religious leader added.
Social media users responded angrily to what appeared to be the Imam’s promotion of the UAE-Israel deal, with many claiming that his sermon paves the way for Saudi Arabia to follow suit and establish relations with Israel.
Some commentators described Al-Sudais’s sermon as a “trial balloon” sent by the Saudis regarding the possibility of normalization with Israel.
Before moshiach comes the whole world is being shown the possibility for them to convert and for the not yet frum to join their religious brothers and sisters
You see, I am having an effect on the locals.