What is your opinion on the establishment of the Russian embassy in Saudi Arabia and vice versa?

The questioner : What is your opinion, O Shaykh, on the establishment of a Russian embassy in Saudi Arabia and a Saudi embassy in Russia, now that there were no relations before but there are relations now?

The Shaykh : In fact, if you ask me and I am answering you, there is no difference for me in establishing mutual embassies between the two parties, as mentioned in your question, between the Russian state or the American state. There is no difference, even during the era of Communism which was abolished. There is no difference, because disbelief is one religion, but politics certainly differs. It is based on the principle that some evil is less than some other evil. So now, when Russia announced its separation from Communism, it is as if Saudi Arabia found a way out and wanted to deal with the Soviets as it deals with the Americans and the British. For me, the exchange of embassies is not important; what is important to me is the implementation of the Shari'ah. Now, in our Islamic lands, we have embassies from Arab countries, all of which contain images and idols. This is not from Islam. Whether these images are placed in the lands of disbelief or in the lands of Islam, it is a violation of Islam.