Egyptian Cleric Mazhar Shahin: 9/11 Brought More Damage to Iraq and Syria than If the Towers Had Collapsed in Iraq

Egyptian cleric Sheikh Mazhar Shahin said that that after ten years, it has turned out "that the twin towers that collapsed in America came down upon our own heads – in Egypt, Iraq, and Syria," and that "if someone had placed these twin towers in Iraq and filled them with people, and then brought them down – the outcome would have been less catastrophic than what happened to Iraq and Syria under the pretext of the attack on the WTC towers." In the interview, which aired on the Egyptian Mehwar TV channel on November 30, Shahin also said that while Israel is "our traditional and eternal enemy," the Houthis are Saudi Arabia's main enemy today.

Interviewer: "You refused to link between the fires in Israel and the (proposed legislation) to prevent the azan call to prayer. Why?"

Mazhar Shahin: "Because nobody can delve into the intentions of our Lord. Can you or I possibly know what the Lord's intentions are when something happens? Who can declare that something happened because our Lord was taking revenge on...? Who are you to say what God means? Did He appoint you as His representative? Is there anybody on Earth who was legally appointed to be the Lord's representative? Bring him to me, so I can see who he is. Let me remind you of something. Do you remember the collapse of the WTC towers in America?"

Interviewer: "Yes."

Mazhar Shahin: "What happened in those days? People went out and shouted in the streets: 'Allah Akbar!' 'America has been destroyed!' 'America has collapsed!' They said that the (planes) were Ababil birds, sent by Allah..."

Interviewer: "Yes."

Mazhar Shahin: "Other people even linked this event to the Quran, saying: 'How great! This event was mentioned in the Quran 1,400 years ago. Allah Akbar! All praise to Allah!'

[...]

"What nonsense! One might say that after ten years, it has turned out that the twin towers that collapsed in America came down upon our own heads - in Egypt, Iraq, and Syria. If someone had placed these twin towers in Iraq and filled them with people, and then brought them down - the outcome would have been less catastrophic than what happened to Iraq and Syria, under the pretext of the attack on the WTC towers.

[...]

"I have told you that Israel is our enemy, and that we hope for the return of the Al-Aqsa Mosque to the Muslims. I have told you that Israel is our traditional and eternal enemy. But when I tell you that Qatar is inciting against us, and producing a film against the Egyptian army..."

Interviewer: "Qatar is more hostile..."

Mazhar Shahin: "...and that it is our number one enemy, you can't say: No, they're your brothers.

[...]

"Who is Saudi Arabia's main enemy today? The Houthis or Israel?"

Interviewer: "The Houthis."

Mazhar Shahin: "What is the evidence for that? That the Saudis shoot at the Houthis and the Houthis shoot back, right?"

Interviewer: "Right."

Mazhar Shahin: "And incidentally, we support Saudi Arabia. Our consideration is that Saudi Arabia faces a greater threat from the Houthis than it does from Israel. Israel did not fire a missile toward the Kaaba. Israel did not send anybody to plunder Saudi land, and therefore, even though Saudi Arabia considers Israel to be an enemy, the Houthis are more hostile..."

Interviewer: "At present."

Mazhar Shahin: "And let me just conclude by saying that there is a difference between one's eternal enemy and one's current enemy."