MBS’s comments on extremism and inciting violence spark outrage

The rhetoric used by Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) in a recent TV interview has been condemned by human rights organisation SANAD (Standing Against Nefarious & Arbitrary Detentions).
During an interview on state-owned Rotana TV, the Saudi Crown Prince called for, “…the neutralisation of extremist rhetoric.”
The words were issued in response to a question about the campaign to confront extremist discourse. He stated extremism is not permissible, “Extremism in all things is wrong, and our Prophet Muhammad talked in one of his hadiths about a day when extremists will surface and if you see them, kill them”
As part of the extensive 90-minute interview, MBS went on to quote hadiths – recorded narrations of the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammed – which stated that nations had perished due to extremism in their religion.
SANAD believes the hadith which MBS cited does not emphasise or condone the killing of extremists, rather it states, ‘Beware of exaggeration (extremism) in religion, for those who came before you were ruined by exaggeration in religion.’
The Crown Prince’s comments on Tuesday 27 April have been widely criticised on social media, with some interpreting them as a direct threat to dissidents and opposition figures to the regime.
As a human rights organisation, SANAD believes the reckless comments made by Mohammed Bin Salman could be deemed as a call to incite violence, which is inconsistent with the tolerant values ​​and teachings of Islam and its universal message of peace.
According to Islamic tradition, the sanctity of blood and the preservation of life is amongst its highest priorities. In Quranic texts (5:32) it is explained, ‘Whoever takes a life – unless as a punishment for murder or mischief in the land – it will be as if they killed all of humanity; and whoever saves a life, it will be as if they saved all of humanity.’
SANAD regards the comments made by MBS to also contradict human moral values and could breach International Human Rights Charter. The human rights organisation also acknowledges a glaring contradiction and extremism in the ill-advised and careless remarks made by the Prince.
SANAD is calling upon all human rights organisations in the Arab world and in the West to shoulder their human rights responsibility in condemning what is considered a dangerous transgression and crime against human rights and values, and which may result in further abuses and violations against citizens and residents in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.