Following are excerpts
from an interview with Saudi cleric Mohsen Al-Awaji, which aired on
Al-Daleel TV on April 8, 2011:
Mohsen Al-Awaji:
The Shiite Arabs… I hate to have to use terms like "Shiites"
and "Sunnis," but it is Iran that forces me to do so. I met
Iranians at several conferences. At times, I tried to adopt a moderate
stance – which did not come without a price – and contain some of
their provocations, but they just kept going on and on. It was as if
they were trying to take revenge upon us – even the moderate among
them. Sheik Al-Qaradhawi, one of the giants of the Islamic nation, went
to Qom to meet their leaders, but ultimately, he realized that this
was about revenge and triumph.
The Iranians know full
well that in pre-Islamic times, the Arabs defeated them in the Battle
of Dhi Qar. They know full well that after the advent of Islam, the
Arabs defeated the Persians at Al-Qadisiya and elsewhere. They know
that when they rebelled against the Ottoman Caliph Selim I, distracting
him from the Islamic conquests, he taught them a lesson in the famous
battle of Chaldiran. They know this full well.
[…]
I would like to warn
the brothers in Iran that our moderate positions and our attempt to
avoid extremism, as well the opposition we display to many of the actions
of our own governments, must not be interpreted as willingness to go
against our principles. Absolutely not.
[…]
If Iran presents to the
world its Safavid Persian identity, it must not criticize the Arabs
for adhering to their Arab identity. I live in an Arab home, in an Arab
country, and it is only natural for me to defend my home before defending
the home of my neighbor.
[…]
I supported Iran when
it suffered injustice in South Lebanon. I say "Iran" because
there is no point in beating around the bush anymore… When Iran suffered
injustice in South Lebanon, I supported it. When the West threatened
to bomb Iran's nuclear project, which – according to Iran – is for
peaceful purposes, I supported it against the West. I turned my back
on the policy of my own government. I adopted this position because
the general interest takes precedence over personal interests. I don't
want Iran to stab us in the back with such irrational behavior.
[…]
