"..Smash the skulls of those who organise demonstrations or take part in them .."

"... Only in Saudi Arabia could Western-educated princes and Wahhabi religious scholars have something in common. Both speak the language of violence and terror. A week before the "Day of Rage" – the proposed demonstrations on March 11 calling for political reform in Saudi Arabia – the religious scholar Saad al-Buraik called for "smashing the skulls of those who organise demonstrations or take part in them."

Contrary to the Western view that the kingdom's princes support reform while its religious leaders are demagogues of terror, the two groups share the same language and goals.

Al-Buraik, an extremist but also a government loyalist, preaches hate against anybody who does not worship the Al-Saud, obey their orders, and maintain silence over their excesses. He is part of a prolific network of preachers embedded in state-funded institutions. His fatwas against Shia and Sunni activists are notorious. He is one of the extremists retained by the government to preach obedience at home and jihad abroad.

We have seen over the last decade how thin the line is that separates the two, with it being frequently crossed in both directions. Like so many Saudi religious scholars, al-Buraik became excited at the prospect of jihad in Iraq against Americans and Shia. When jihadis brought bombs to Riyadh and Jeddah, he felt that they had misunderstood the message. Jihad outside Saudi Arabia is fine but don’t bring it home. It may only be practised at home against Westernised Saudi liberals who corrupt the purity of the nation or the Iranian fifth column, the Saudi Shia.

Two days before the demonstrations on March 11, foreign minister Prince Saud al-Faisal promised to "cut the fingers of those outsiders who want to interfere in Saudi security," a statement that was overlooked in the English translation of his press conference statement. A Western-educated prince, known for his refined manners and diplomacy was clearly beginning to feel the heat. His violent words were intended for external consumption, as al-Buraik and his Godly circle had already addressed the local constituency with their own words of terror....

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