RIYADH, Mar 29 (Reuters): The Saudi-funded spread of Wahhabism began as a result of Western countries asking Riyadh to help counter the Soviet Union during the Cold War, according to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
A few years back, Wahhabism was identified by the European Parliament as the main source of global terrorism and has become increasingly influential, partly because of Saudi money and partly because of Saudi Arabia's central influence as protector of Mecca.
Speaking to The Washington Post, Bin Salman said that Saudi Arabia's Western allies urged the country to invest in mosques and madrassas overseas during the Cold War, in an effort to prevent encroachment in Muslim countries by the Soviet Union.
The crown prince's 75-minute interview with the US-based newspaper took place on March 22, the final day of his US tour.
"Investments in mosques and madrassas overseas were rooted in the Cold War, when allies asked Saudi Arabia to use its resources to prevent inroads in Muslim countries by the Soviet Union," he was quoted as saying in an interview with the Post.
Successive Saudi governments lost track of the effort, he said, and now "we have to get it all back."
He went on to say funding now comes largely from Saudi-based "foundations", rather than from the government. During the interview, he also touched on Islam and his interpretation of the religion.
"I believe Islam is sensible, Islam is simple, and people are trying to hijack it," he said.
Bin Salman said lengthy discussions with clerics have been positive and are "why we have more allies in the religious establishment, day by day."
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