RIYADH, 31 March 2007 — The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance has announced that it is discussing plans to translate Friday sermons into other languages to appeal to non-Arab worshippers.
Tawfiq Al-Sudairi, deputy minister of Islamic affairs, told a local newspaper that the ministry is currently considering whether to implement the plan in areas where a high number of Asian workers live. He added that translating Friday sermons after the prayers has already begun in certain areas.
Al-Sudairi said that only approved translators would be allowed to translate the sermons, which are delivered by imams who have the freedom to choose their topics.
He added that the idea of specifying certain mosques for Asian expatriates where they can listen to Friday sermons in their own languages was merely a suggestion.
“Mosques are for everyone,” he said, adding that the languages of expatriates vary and is not just English.
Khaled Al-Mehaidib, a former imam in Riyadh, said that translating Friday sermons was essential because most expats were unable to benefit from the sermons in Arabic.
The ministry supervises over 72,000 mosques all over the Kingdom.
