Saudi Arabia's Role in Spreading Islamic Terrorism

Revelations that Syed Rizwan Farook, the male suspect in the San Bernardino terror attack, recently visited Saudi Arabia is raising questions about that country's role in supporting radical Islam around the world.

The Saudi government promotes a severe form of Islam called Wahhabism. This fundamentalist strain of the faith imposes strict requirements on its followers and teaches intolerance of other faiths and even sects of Islam that are less strict.

Wahhabis believe Shia Muslims are not true followers of Islam and are potential apostates. In order to stay in favor with the country's religious leaders, the Saudi royal family funds and supports the spread of Wahhabist mosques throughout the world.

This has inadvertently strengthened ISIS and other extremist Muslims. Terrorist groups like ISIS (also known as ISIL or the Islamic State) and al-Qaeda draw their theology from Wahhabism, but are even more intolerant and violent in enforcing their beliefs.

ISIS has targeted Shia Muslims for violence and forced them to convert. ISIS and al-Qaeda have also targeted the Saudi government and the royal family.

CBN's George Thomas spoke with Terrorism Analyst Erick Stakelbeck about Wahhabism, ISIS, and Saudi Arabia's role in promoting them, as well as the U.S. government's weak attempts to restrain the Saudis. Click play to watch.