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| Arabia |
| Saudi clerics told to stop anti-U.S. sermons |
| 2002-11-26 |
| Saudi officials said the clerics have been warned not to use their posts to engage in politics. This includes railing against the United States or Riyad's Western allies. If they can't talk bad about us, it'll be a short sermon. Those clerics who violate the ban could face dismissal, officials said. More than 50,000 clerics are responsible for mosques round the kingdom. Saudi Islamic Affairs Minister Saleh Al Sheik has relayed a message to clerics that also bans sermons by unauthorized people in mosques. Al Sheik said such speakers could exploit the opportunity to incitement Muslims. "Mosques are meant only for prayers, guidance and other pious activities," the message to the clerics read. "They should not be misused as a political platform." I thought ranting against the U.S. was a pious activity? Officials said the government has received reports of unauthorized Saudis giving sermons against the United States in several mosques in the kingdom. The reports included calls for the expulsion of U.S. military and other Western personnel from Saudi Arabia. Al Sheik warned that he was prepared to replace what he termed unsuitable clerics from their posts. He said the role of the imam, or preacher, and the khatib, who provides the sermon, involve great responsibility. Do you suppose that the Saudis are getting nervous about something? Like the fact that we are now listening to what they have been saying and are beginning to realize that they might mean it? |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #4 window dressing, just window dressing. Next step will be the crisis of mental illness in clerics. Discuss amongst yourselves. |
| Posted by: john 2002-11-26 23:39:58 |
| #3 It's a first step. Now they need to put stiff restrictions on financing. |
| Posted by: PJ 2002-11-26 20:55:19 |
| #2 The sad new life of a mufti: all revved up with anti-kafir hatred, and no place to go. |
| Posted by: Anonymous 2002-11-26 20:40:36 |
| #1 Woo hoo! I hope that's true. Maybe they are finally more scared of us than their mullahs. |
| Posted by: Kathy K 2002-11-26 17:00:36 |