Al-Qaeda has called on its supporters in Saudi Arabia to kidnap Christians and Saudi princes and ministers to press for the release of a female militant the group claims was nabbed north of Riyadh, in an audio message released on Thursday. Said al-Shihri, a senior leader of al Qaeda, said: "As it is our duty, it is obligatory for you, O people of Al-Qaseem especially, O people of Islam in the land of the Peninsula and other places in general, we do not say you get out of your lands, but protect them and do what ever you can to gather information, incite Muslims, raise funds and form cells in order to kidnap Christians, the princes of Al-Saud and their senior officials from the ministers and offices."
"We say to our soldiers, the kidnappings will free our prisoners," he said. His message was titled "free the captives". Thi scame following the detention of Hila al al Qasir in the city of Breda, the capital of Al Qassim region in the north of the Saudi capital. The message did not specify a date for her arrest.
Al Arabiya television described al Qassir as "the most dangerous woman in the al-Qaeda" in Saudi Arabia. She is the widow of one of al Qaeda fighters. She was involved in the recruitment of women to al Qaeda and fund raising.
