Second Saudi Cleric Renounces Militancy
A second prominent Saudi cleric has renounced Islamic militancy and attacks against innocent people during an interview aired on state-run TV Saturday. Nasser al-Fahd made his remarks four days after cleric Ali al-Khudair also reversed his fatwas — or religious edicts — promoting violence. The statements come as Saudi authorities crack down on militants believed responsible for a string of attacks inside Saudi Arabia, birthplace of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden and 15 of the 19 hijackers from the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. Saudi authorities arrested al-Fahd, al-Khudair and another cleric, Ahmad al-Khalidi, in May. All three were detained during an anti-terror sweep after attacks in the capital, Riyadh, killed 35 people, including the nine suicide bombers. Full Story