"Last month in Riyadh, the Council of Senior Scholars issued an important fatwa that deserves wider recognition than it has received.  The Council has, of course, issued fatwas condemning terrorism before; however, this one has much greater significance.  For the first time, the Council specifically addressed the issue of financing of terrorists and their activities.  Citing the Holy Koran and hadiths, the Council explicitly declared that financing terrorism through any means is forbidden under Islamic law and constitutes a punishable crime.  This ruling makes clear that the struggle against terrorist financing is not just an American or Western concern, but a global threat.  In addition, the Council's ruling buttresses with its interpretation of Islamic law the international legal provisions on financing of terrorism.  Consequently, the Council's ruling will bolster the existing counter-terrorist efforts with our Saudi partners and with other partners throughout the Muslim world.  In view of all this, the courageous decision by the Saudi Council of Senior Scholars deserved special mention."

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