Saudi author urges Muslims to embrace liberal viewpoints.

(From Gulf News)

Byline: Staff Report

The Arab world will not be a full participating member of today's world unless its people abandon the "rigid interpretation" of the Holy Qu-ran, a noted Saudi author said here. Arabs have become hostages to extremists who "hijacked" Islam, Dr Turki Al Hamad said in a lecture on Liberalism and Islam he gave here on Wednesday night.

"There are those among us who claim to have a monopoly over Islam. They are hijacking the religion and the Holy Quran," he said, referring to religious extremists who oppose interpretations of the holy book that don't match their mindset.

"Sure, we cannot ignore the holy …