Saudi ideology of Wahabbism inspiring Daesh: Analyst
Press TV has interviewed Catherine Shakdam, the London-based program director of Shafaqna Institute of Middle East Studies, and Jihad Mouracadeh, a political analyst in Beirut, to discuss France’s discreet awarding of the country’s highest honor to Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Nayef despite publicly condemning the kingdom for human rights violations.
Shakdam slams the decoration as a “great insult to France and to people who deservedly received this medal” and says the Saudi prince was awarded the French Medal of Honor only because Paris is seeking a bigger share in the kingdom’s military spending.
“When I see someone, who is the incarnation of fascism, has such a medal, I take offense because this is an insult to France, it is an insult to the people who continue to suffer under Wahhabism and terrorism,” says Shakdam, whose grandfather has also been awarded the medal.
The analyst bills Riyadh as the “capital” of Wahhabi ideology, which she blames as the main source of inspiration for Daesh, adding that extremism has surged in the countries where the Saudi “footprint” is seen, including Yemen and Syria.
“There are many many terror organizations and strangely enough, they resemble a lot the regime that is actually in place in Riyadh today,” she notes.
Shakdam says Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s gains against terror groups have raised concerns in Riyadh, and that is why the Saudis are turning to Turkey for help.
Mouracadah, for his part, says decorating Nayef with the medal was merely meant to bolster the fight against terrorism and had nothing to do with France’s intention to sell more arms to the Saudi regime.
He also accuses Assad’s supporters of siding with Daesh, while hailing Saudi Arabia and Turkey as true anti-terrorism forces.
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