SHEIK ABDUL-AZIZ IBN BAAZ

One irony of this statement and the belief of so many Muslims today is that in the Dark Ages when the rest of the world believed the Earth was flat, Muslim scientists and students commonly used globes to study the Earth and the Muslims preserved what was known of science.

The last clause refers to his belief that since the Prophet did not sanction or endorse nationalism, it is not desirable. It illustrates one of the difficulties the political rulers of Saudi Arabia have in defining themselves and their nation amidst a religious movement that not only transcends nationalism but sees it as undesirable and anti-Muslim. This view is not held by many more modern Muslim leaders.

One irony of this statement and the belief of so many Muslims today is that in the Dark Ages when the rest of the world believed the Earth was flat, Muslim scientists and students commonly used globes to study the Earth and the Muslims preserved what was known of science.

The last clause refers to his belief that since the Prophet did not sanction or endorse nationalism, it is not desirable. It illustrates one of the difficulties the political rulers of Saudi Arabia have in defining themselves and their nation amidst a religious movement that not only transcends nationalism but sees it as undesirable and anti-Muslim. This view is not held by many more modern Muslim leaders.