Saudi Arabia has nothing to do with 9/11: Tahir Ashrafi

ISLAMABAD: Expressing his disappointment at the American Congress' decision to allow victims of the September 11, 2001 incident to take legal action against Saudi Arabia, Tahir Ashrafi said that Saudi Arabia had nothing to do with the terrorist attack. 

Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council, Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi said that Saudi Arabia had been targeted on purpose since it was the symbolic center of all Muslims around the globe. He termed the act of American Congress' granting victims of the 9/11 attacks the right to take legal action against Saudi Arabia, as disappointing. 

"Saudi Arabia has nothing to do with the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack," he said. 

He alleged that the law was passed since Saudi Arabia was the center for all Muslims around the world. 

Families of 9/11 victims have campaigned for the law -- convinced that the Saudi government officials had a hand in the attacks that killed almost 3,000 people.

Fifteen of the 19 hijackers were Saudi citizens, but no link to the government has been proven. The Saudi government denies any links to the plotters.

Declassified documents showed US intelligence had multiple suspicions about links between the Saudi government and the attackers.

"While in the United States, some of the 9/11 hijackers were in contact with, and received support or assistance from, individuals who may be connected to the Saudi government," a finding read.

A senior Saudi prince reportedly threatened to pull billions of dollars out of US assets if it becomes law, but Saudi officials now distance themselves from that claim.
The US-Saudi relationship had already been strained by Obama´s engagement with  Iran and the July release of a secret report on Saudi involvement in the attacks.