First Black Saudi Appointed Imam of Haram Mosque in Mecca Accuses Shi'ites of Apostasy

Discusses Driving Jews and Christians Out of Arabian Peninsula; Claims His Appointment 'More Significant' than Obama's Election

Following are excerpts from interviews with Sheikhh Adel Al-Kalbani, imam of the Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca, which aired on BBC Arabic on May 5, 2009 and Al-Arabiya TV on February 27, 2009.

BBC Arabic, May 5, 3009:
To view this clip on MEMRI TV, visit http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/2102.htm.

On BBC Arabic: I View Shi'ite Religious Scholars as Apostates

Interviewer: "Do you support those who accuse Shi'ites of apostasy?"

Sheikhh Adel Al-Kalbani: "With regard to the laymen among the Shi'ites — this is debatable. But their religious scholars — I view them as apostates.

Interviewer: All of them?"

Sheikhh Adel Al-Kalbani: "With regard to the religious scholars, yes." [...]

Interviewer: "Are you in favor of allowing religious liberties in general?"

Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "For us, liberty has limits. Would you allow a mosque to be built in the Vatican?" the rest