RIYADH, March 8: Saudi Arabia’s top religious authority warned Saudis against giving money to charities financing ‘evil’ groups, a local daily reported.

The warning by Grand Mufti Sheik Abdul-Aziz Abdullah al-Sheikh comes just days after police found an audio message from Al Qaeda No 2 Ayman al-Zawahri exhorting his followers to collect money for needy families in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

“It is bad to give funds to just anyone who asks and to parties with shabby reputations or unknown backing,” the mufti said in a statement carried by the daily al-Okaz, which is deemed close to the government.

“It’s even worse to give it to an organisation that’s known for its evil and for hurting Islam and its followers,” he added.—AP