Sudais Warns of Gaza Catastrophe

[bamalli]

Sudais Warns of Gaza Catastrophe

JEDDAH, 2 February 2008 — Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, an imam of the Grand
Mosque in Makkah, yesterday cautioned Muslims all over the world that their
Palestinian brethren in Gaza were facing a human catastrophe.

The imam rebuked Western countries that speak profusely about human rights,
freedom and democratic values for keeping mum on the continuing Israeli
atrocities in occupied Palestinian territories.

Delivering his Juma sermon to the thousands of faithful who thronged the
large mosque complex, the imam called for quick delivery of relief supplies
such as food and medicine to the people of Gaza.

"Our brothers in Gaza are facing death and destruction, hunger and
siege...After God, only you can boost their morale and save them from this
trial," Al-Sudais told Muslims all over the world.

"Help them, donate for them, especially in this harsh weather condition.
They are living in dark without electricity, hunger and poverty. They don't
have water or food and medicine. The economic siege has made their lives
extremely difficult," the Saudi Press Agency quoted the imam as saying.

Al-Sudais said "the dangerous human catastrophe" being faced by people in
Gaza was a new development in the Palestinian issue. He condemned the brutal
Israeli blockade and called for quick and serious initiatives to open the
border.

In a recent statement, Lynn Pascoe, UN undersecretary- general for political
affairs, said the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is "extremely
fragile" as a result of continued Israel closure of nearly all crossings
into the territory.

There were special prayers for Gazans at several mosques across Saudi Arabia
yesterday as imams invoked the Almighty to support the Palestinians against
their oppressors and for a quick end to their plight. People in the Kingdom
also exchanged text messages calling for the support of Gazans.

The World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) recently announced an emergency
donation of SR5 million to support the besieged Palestinians in Gaza.

"Muslims all over the world must come forward in support of the
Palestinians, who are facing a campaign of starving and eradication, " said
Dr. Saleh Al-Wohaiby, secretary-general of WAMY.

"The closure border passages in Gaza, preventing entry of humanitarian
assistance to the sick, children and women, is one of the major crimes
against humanity," the WAMY chief said in a statement.

He called on businessmen, philanthropists and all Saudi citizens and
residents to support the Palestinians. "Nobody can keep quiet after knowing
the suffering of Palestinians as a result of power cut and stoppage of
energy supplies."

..........

Don't forget your muslim brothers and sisters around the world suffering at
the hands of their oppressors; remember them all in your supplications,
especially in the night prayer - in the last third of the night - when you
stand before your Lord.

Abu Hurayrah reported Allaah's Messenger (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) as
saying:

((Our Lord, the Blessed and the Exalted, descends every night to the lowest
heaven when one-third of the latter part of the night is left, and says: Who
supplicates Me so that I may answer him? Who asks Me so that I may give to
him? Who asks Me forgiveness so that I may forgive him?)), [Saheeh Muslim,