Riyadh, Sep 1 (IANS) Slogans praising Sunni militant group Islamic State (IS) were found on the walls of some schools in the Saudi Arabia capital following Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz’s call for coordinated counter-terrorism efforts.
The pro-IS slogans were found on the walls of schools in the Al-Naseem neighbourhood of east Riyadh, Saudi Gazette reported Sunday.
“Our society is very passionate about Islam and Muslims. That is why it is easy to take advantage of young men’s feelings, especially in the absence of awareness campaigns… It has become a breeding ground for misconceptions and confusion,” sociologist Sulaiman Al-Battah was quoted as saying.
He dismissed as untrustworthy a questionnaire claiming 92 percent of respondents believe IS complies with the Shariah. The questionnaire was carried out on social media.
On Friday, King Abdullah warned that terrorists will target the West if the world does not unite to confront them. He was speaking at a ceremony to welcome new ambassadors to Saudi Arabia, including US ambassador Joseph W. Westphal.
“If neglected, I’m sure they (terrorists) will reach Europe in a month and America in another month,” said King Abdullah.
“The evils of terrorism must be fought with force, reason and speed,” he added.
The Saudi monarch also underlined the sanctity of human lives which terrorists ignore. “They even kill themselves,” he said.
King Abdullah called for the establishment of an international centre to combat terrorism more than 10 years ago.
In 2005, Saudi Arabia hosted an international conference on terrorism during which the proposal for the establishment of the ?United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) was unanimously adopted.
King Abdullah pledged $10 million to the UN to establish the centre and, in 2011, Saudi Arabia signed an agreement with the UN to launch the UNCCT.
Last month, he provided the centre with a donation of $100 million to enhance its capabilities and effectiveness in helping countries combat terrorism.