FOR URGENT ATTENTION SENT VIA EMAIL to ([email protected]) or by FAX to (202) 944-5983

[insert name and official title] [insert name of Mosque or organization] [insert date] PETITION To: His Royal Highness Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United States of America: The following undersigned persons are appealing to Your Highness to make an urgent intervention into the wanton destruction of ancient Islamic relics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, sites which are held sacred by Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims around the world. It has come to our attention that certain officials, who follow a highly extreme interpretation of the Salafi madhhab, are destroying relics and monuments dating back to Prophet Muhammad, sall Allahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, and other important historical monuments from later periods, all of which are historically and religiously crucial. These relics, among hundreds, are actually the duty of Saudi officials to protect, as has been the case for more than 200 years. These most recent acts of cultural destruction are part of a ludicrous battle against “idolatry” waged secretly by extremist-leaning officials in order to avoid a global outcry by the Muslim Ummah, who would find such destruction both irresponsible and irrevocably sacrilegious. The following are recent acts of the city-planning commissions of Makkah and Medina, Saudi Arabia. Further, eyewitness reports indicate these ancient religious sites have been covered with black tarpaulins to conceal demolition work: ► destroying all remnants and foundation of the historic building in which Prophet Muhammad was born, to make way for construction of the new King Fahd Library. ► Painted over the world-renowned green dome of the Holy Mosque of Prophet Muhammad, sall Allahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, changing it to silver color, knowing that its original color is beloved by the Prophet, sall Allahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, and by all Muslims. After intense protest from the citizens of Medina, the board restored the dome to its original green color. ► Ordered the destruction of five of the renowned seven holy mosques initially built by Prophet Muhammad's daughter Fatimah and four of his greatest companions, Radiya Allahu Anhum Ajmaeen, sites which are venerated around the world. ► Ordered pulling down of “Al-mukabariyya”, the elevated location for the Adhan within the Holy Mosque of the Prophet, sall Allahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, built in the 8th century by the Caliph Umar bin Abdul-Aziz. The undersigne assert that such acts cannot be tolerated by Muslims, who love the Prophet, sall Allahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, and who love all things connected to him. For the sake of historical preservation and religious sanctity, please intervene in this crucial matter. Sincerely, the undersigned: Name: Phone: Email: