JEDDAH, 5 October 2004 — Police in Jeddah arrested an African who claimed he was a “prophet” with supernatural powers. The arrest came after local residents alerted the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice of an African suspect who claimed that he was a prophet sent to the neighborhoods to renew the Islamic religion.
The man, who claimed that his prophetic powers came from God, also said that he could double currency notes through magic. He moved from one neighborhood to another to spread his “message”.
Teams from police and the commission kept a tab on the man and monitored his prophecy sessions until the perfect time to arrest him. He was arrested in his house as he was holding one of his sermons.
Early investigations showed that the man was involved in swindling Saudis and expatriates of different nationalities. Police said that the man traveled from one place to another to draw suspicion away from him. He wooed people with weak religious knowledge and swindled their money by claiming that he could cure diseases like paralysis.
His confessions were recorded and soon he will be produced in court.
Such sorcerers abound in south Jeddah neighborhoods preying on the gullibility of families, especially those with members suffering from incurable diseases. Authorities are keeping a close watch on the areas of their operation.
