Saudi cleric blasts al-Qaida practices

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Dressing up like a woman to sneak past security in Saudi Arabia is what gives Muslims a bad name, a leading cleric said from Mecca following an al-Qaida raid.

Security authorities last week killed an alleged member of al-Qaida disguised as a woman after he opened fire at a security checkpoint.

Maj. Gen. Mansour al-Turki, a spokesman for the Saudi Interior Ministry, told London's pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat that the attack bore the elements of al-Qaida. "Particularly as disguising themselves in women's clothing is the policy followed by (al-Qaida) in order to hide themselves from the eyes of the security forces," he said.

Saudi Grand Mufti Sheik Abdulaziz al-Sheik told the newspaper that dressing up in a women's traditional Muslim garb to avoid detection "contributed to tarnishing the reputation of Muslims."

The cleric said there is "no doubt" that the evasion tactic was wrong "in every sense of the word," adding that it was an inexcusable exploitation of women.

Two suspected members of al-Qaida were killed by Saudi forces in 2009. Both men were disguised as women and carrying suicide vests.