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The phony fight against terrorism and Saudi followers of Christ

June 23, 2004

The Associated Press is reporting today that the government of Saudi Arabia has "offered a one-month amnesty to terrorists". The report makes it clear that such amnesty is about quieting the terrorists for now and not about pursuing justice against the terrorists in the Saudi Kingdom.

Foreign Minister Prince Saud declared that Saudi citizens are not allowed to go to Iraq to fight against the Americans. "Any call for holy war (in Iraq) is illegitimate", said Prince Saud. It is interesting to note that Prince Saud is actually saying that Muslims should not fight against non-Muslims who have invaded a neighboring Muslim country.

I have a feeling that most Muslims wouldn't agree with him.

It is being reported that several of the terrorists in Iraq fighting against the American military and killing hostages speak Arabic with a Saudi accent. Clearly, Saudi citizens are going to Iraq to fight.

Internally, Saudi terrorists are active in terrorizing the foreign community in the Kingdom. The government wants them to stop, for now.

The Saudi reaction to the kidnapping of American citizen, Paul Johnson, and his beheading resulted in security forces killing or capturing several people described as militants. Even though Mr. Johnson's body has yet to be found, the Saudi government asserts that they have dealt with those who were guilty of his murder. We are asked to trust the Saudi government regarding their claim.

Meanwhile, the Saudi government is telling whoever the real terrorists are in the Kingdom to just quiet down for a while.

Commenting on the Saudi efforts to deal with the terrorists, Prince Saud said, "We will never stop until we have all the assurances and guarantees that it is over." In other words, as long as the terrorists assure the government that it is over for now, the government will be very happy. Saud continued, "It is important to be assured that it is crystal-clear over."

The terrorists have now been put on notice by the Saudi government. They better promise to stop for now or else the government will not be assured that it is over. And unless the government is assured that it is over for now, they will be forced to continue to engage in the further annoyance of publicly engaging in double-speak.

So now the terrorists in Saudi have one month to ratchet down their terrorism and if they don't then we will all have to listen to the Saudi government blow more hot air.

But wait, we are continually assured by a long list of American former diplomats who served in Saudi, that while the Saudis are very private people they are really serious about dealing with the issues of terrorism in the Kingdom. These former diplomats seem to have learned well from their Saudi benefactors.

Regardless of the uncertainty of the situation in Saudi Arabia right now, it is time for followers of Christ to rise up in a spiritual battle by praying for Saudi Arabia and the surrounding region. There is a spiritual battle raging for the hearts and minds of those who have been isolated from the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Surely there is no toleration of any Saudi who declares him or herself to be a follower of Christ in the Kingdom. The reality that the Saudi government is engaging in a phony fight against terrorism is made clear by this one point, that Christianity in any form is outlawed, period.

There are probably more Saudi followers of Christ on the Arabian Peninsula now than at any other time since the establishment of Islam. It is dangerous for our Saudi brothers and sisters in Christ. At this time, they need our prayers more than ever.