Lebanese Mufti of Hasbaya and Marjeyoun Sheik Mustafa Ghader: Israel Was More Merciful Than Syria. If Fath Al-Islam Members Hide in Mosques, the Army Should Topple the Mosques over Their Heads

Following are excerpts from an address by Mustafa Ghader, the Mufti of Hasbaya and Marjeyoun in Lebanon, which aired on Al-Manar TV on June 5, 2007.

Mustafa Ghader: With regard to the so-called "Fath Al-Islam," we call it "the gang of terrorism." This gang must be eradicated from our land, because it was sent by the so-called brother [Syria] – but it is no brother, and even Israel is more merciful than it. I say this without reservation, because I'm familiar with Israel, and it never did what Syria has done in this country. This virus calls itself "Fath Al-Islam," but Islam has nothing to do with it, because Islam is the religion of tolerance and brotherhood, a religion of love and justice, and not a religion of terrorism. We call upon the courageous army – and we ask Allah to protect it – not to be held back by mercy and compassion. Even if they enter mosques, destroy these mosques over their heads, because they deserve it.

I say to the honorable prime minister, Fuad Siniora: "Oh mountain, the wind will never shake you. There are men behind you, and you are not on your own. Adhere to the book of your God, because victory is to those who support Allah, and not those who support Satan."