Germany to KSA: Stop Funding Wahhabism

Local Editor

Germany publicly warned Saudi Arabia against further financing religious extremists globally. German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel's demand to cut money flowing to the Wahhabis comes as some lawmakers are growing weary of Saudi-funded radical mosques.

Gabriel stressed that the Saudi regime has been funding mosques known for radicalizing the Muslim population, including in various communities in Europe.

"We have to make clear to the Saudis that the time of looking away is over," Gabriel, Merkel's deputy and the head of the Social Democrats [SPD], told Bild am Sonntag newspaper. "Wahhabi mosques all over the world are financed by Saudi Arabia. Many extremists who are a threat to public safety come from these communities in Germany."

The information against Saudi Arabia have been around for some time, but it is rare for a Western politician to speak out against it, as the Gulf State remains a key western ally.

The surprisingly open disapproval of Saudi policies comes after a German foreign intelligence agency [BND] report revealed that Riyadh's foreign relations could be a major destabilizing force in the Arab world.

Immediately after the report was released, German Chancellor Angela Merkel's government attempted to create some distance between the BND analysis and official foreign policy line.

However, Gabriel's comments reveal that the government is taking the report's findings seriously.

"Of course we need Saudi Arabia to solve the conflicts in the region," Gabriel said. "We cannot and must not ignore the country. And it does not help to put it in the pillory every day, because that won't increase its readiness for serious negotiations over Syria."

Gabriel is known for being outspoken. When visiting Riyadh earlier this year, he gave a speech in support of Raif Badawi, a Saudi blogger, who was sentenced to 1,000 lashes. Moreover, Gabriel was responsible for blocking an agreement to build a German arms factory in Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived to Baghdad early Monday to a meeting with the Iraqi government, DPA agency reported. The visit had not been announced because of "security concerns."

Steinmeier said that Germany is standing by Iraq "in truly difficult and stormy times." It is expected that the official is going to pledge support to Iraq in the fight against "ISIS".

"The stabilization of Iraq is just as important as the search for a political solution in Syria," the minister said upon arriving.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team