The ranting was slightly more apocalyptic and xenophobically paranoid than usual last Friday in the spiritual centers of Islam, all broadcast live over Arab television to millions of viewers.

From the holy mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia:

Shaykh Salih Bin-Abdallah Bin-Humayd delivers the sermon. After praising God and His messenger, he calls on Muslims to cling to Islam, describing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as “the cradle of Islam.” Therefore, he says, “the enemies are directing their arrows at the kingdom to undermine its position, to tamper with its security, and to plunder its wealth.” In order to achieve their goals, he says, “the enemies are trying to force this country to change its positions.” …

The imam then recalls how the Al-Khawarij [dissident group in early Islam, which rebelled against caliphs whom it regarded as corrupt] killed two caliphs, fought the messengers’ companions, and alleged that theirs was the only right path. The imam also warns Muslims against “religious extremism,” which he describes as “the reason behind destruction.” The imam says that “acts of violence, such as bombings, destruction, and bloodshed cannot defeat great values, destroy great achievements, liberate a nation, or impose a religious school,” stressing that “extremism, violence, and terrorism result only in destruction.”

The Saudi people, he says, “have stood in one line behind their leadership by condemning that action as unjustified,” stressing that the nation “is determined to protect its gains and its religion.” This country, he says, “cannot be shaken by any threat or blackmail to harm its Islamic principles, policies, and sovereignty,” adding that the country seeks “legitimate development and modernization in the educational, economic, social, and planning areas.”

In the second sermon, the imam says “the recent sinful aggressions, reckless actions, and criminal behavior will not discourage our brothers, the security men, from carrying out their duties,” urging everybody to be alert to “what is being concocted against this nation, its religion, its people, its security, and its leaders.”

In conclusion, the imam asks God to strengthen Islam, protect our homeland and our leaders, support the “mujahidin” in Palestine and elsewhere, “destroy the Zionist Jews,” and lift the suffering of the Iraqi people.

From the Shaykh Zayid Mosque in Gaza:

The imam says Palestinians “adhere to the refugees’ right of return, regardless of statements or decisions here and there,” urging the Palestinian people “to expose the Israeli practices against Palestinian prisoners.” He says: “Our battle with our enemy is bigger than some politicians and media men think. Our battle is not with a Zionist prime minister, a government, or a jailer. The battle is between Islam and unbelief in this land. It is a battle in which crusaders and World Zionism have united. Zionism and crusaders are two sides of one coin. We are waging a big battle against Zionism, which rules the world and influences international decisions and economies. This alleged state will soon vanish, God willing. We are waging a big battle with crusaders and World Zionism, which dominates US decision-making.”

The imam then denounces the US President for urging Palestinians to relinquish their repatriation right in order to “please his Zionist masters and to keep his post.” Addressing President Bush, the imam says: “You are mistaken, Bush. Your decisions and statements will dump you into the dustbin of history. We stand firm on this land, and we defy all these decisions and statements though our belief in our rights.”

In conclusion, the imam asks God to support Palestinian prisoners, destroy Jews, “take revenge against the United States and Israel,” and help our kinfolk in Iraq and Palestine.

From Al-Rawdah Mosque in Damascus, Syria:

The imam urges the Arab nation to close ranks in the face of “the arrogant Zionist enemy,” to put minor differences aside, “to deter the Zionist enemy,” and to help the fraternal Iraqi people “restore their security, stability, and prosperity.” He says President Bashar al-Asad’s tour of a number of Arab countries “has cleared the Arab atmosphere and reactivated Arab and Islamic solidarity in order to regain the land and rights from the Zionist enemy and to achieve a just and comprehensive peace based on the resolutions of international legitimacy.”

In conclusion, the imam asks God to unite Arabs and Muslims, to help them defeat their enemy, “to destroy the Zionist Jews and their supporters,” and to give success to the Syrian president.