Enemies of Islam ‘spreading evil and lies through Twitter’

Jeddah, Oct 22: Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh says that the enemies of Islam are using social networking sites such as Twitter to spread lies about the religion and attack Muslims.

Al-Asheikh, who is also the president of the Council of Senior Scholars, made the remarks during a show on Saudi television.

The mufti called on Saudis using Twitter to think carefully about what they post.

He urged tweeters to ensure that their posts serve the interests of the nation, and not undermine the legitimacy of the country’s ruler.

“Those who speak badly of Islam are without shame, have no faith and don’t fear God.”

He said those who behave in this manner do not care about anyone.

He said Twitter has become a site that promotes all kind of “evil and harm. If people use it for their benefit, it would be better, but unfortunately it is being used for trivial things.” He said the Holy Qur’an states: “O you who believe, if an evil-doer comes to you with a report, look carefully into it, lest you harm a person out of ignorance, and then be sorry for what you have done.”

The grand mufti said many people nowadays appear to be addicted to Twitter. The first thing they would talk about is what was published on the social networking site. “They think that whatever is tweeted or written about is reliable information and news, but it is all lies and falsehoods,” he said.

The grand mufti’s arguments come as a social media agency, The Social Clinic, found earlier this year that there are more than 3 million active Twitter users in Saudi Arabia who generate over 50 million tweets a month. This was greater than the global average.

In an earlier report, the agency said some Western media outlets use Twitter to observe and monitor Saudi public opinion, attitudes and trends.

This is not the first time that Al-Asheikh has commented on the use of Twitter. In a sermon last year, he said some tweeters were seeking to spread discord and chaos in the country and inciting people to rise up against the leaders of the nation.