Cracking down on deviant ideology

The report “End of the road for proponents of jihad abroad” (March 6) really brightened my morning. These so-called jihadists think that by killing people who, according to their deviant ideology, are not “true Muslims” or by blowing themselves up in crowded places, they will be fast-tracked to paradise.
These are the advocates of deviant ideology who brainwash people to commit such heinous crimes in the name of religion.
In such a situation, the royal decree issued by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah stipulating 20 years jail term for citizens breaking the law is a step in the right direction.
This step will help stunt the growth of this “jihad” business. In some Muslim and Arab countries it has become totally uncontrollable now. It is shocking that boys as young as 14 are being assured of “paradise” and made to wear the suicide jacket! We believe it is also the duty of parents to keep a close watch on their wards to save them from the influence of these misguided elements. Suicide is prohibited in Islam. One who takes his own life dies a non-believer.
These jihadists and extremist groups have brought enough disrepute to Islam all over the world. We once again welcome Custodian of the Two Holy Mosque’s timely action that will save many from these misguided people. In the meantime, we also urge all other Muslim/Arab countries to follow suit.
Nobody can send anyone to heaven by making him wear a suicide jacket and kill himself and kill other innocent people. This is a grave sin.

Shahzad Rafique
Riyadh