Saudi FM Al-Jubeir: Saudi Arabia ‘has fired thousands’ of extremist imams

Saudi FM Al-Jubeir: Saudi Arabia ‘has fired thousands’ of extremist imams
Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir
Updated 09 October 2017

Saudi FM Al-Jubeir: Saudi Arabia ‘has fired thousands’ of extremist imams

Saudi FM Al-Jubeir: Saudi Arabia ‘has fired thousands’ of extremist imams

MOSCOW: Saudi Arabia has dismissed several thousand imams from mosques for spreading extremism, Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir told Russian journalists in Moscow on Sunday.
“We will not let anyone spread the ideology of hatred, to finance that kind of ideology or terrorism,” he said.
“Our approach to this problem has been very strict: We … modernize our educational system in order to rule out the possibility of misinterpretation of texts.”
Al-Jubeir said Riyadh would cooperate with Moscow in the fight against terrorism, and many militants from both countries were fighting with Daesh.
“They pose a threat to our countries and to other states, where they come from. So we have a strong interest in cooperation.”
The foreign minister also accused Qatar of financing terrorism in an attempt to intervene in the internal affairs of other countries.
“We are convinced that there are certain principles that all countries must stick to: Say ‘no’ to terrorism, the financing of terrorism, extremism and propaganda of hatred, and attempts to interfere in the domestic affairs of other states,” he said.
“We expect those demands to be met by Qatar.”


Saudi Arabia's foreign minister holds meeting with South African minister

Updated 5 min 7 sec ago

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister holds meeting with South African minister

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister holds meeting with South African minister

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, who is on an official visit to South Africa, held a meeting with International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor in Pretoria on Monday.
The two ministers reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways to enhance them in all fields to serve the aspirations of both countries.
South Africa is embarking on an ambitious economic reform agenda that shares striking similarities with Saudi Arabia’s own efforts to slash red tape and stimulate investment.
Like Saudi Arabia, South Africa is transitioning from a commodity-based economic foundation to a more sustainable and diversified and modernized model.
Trade relations between South Africa and Saudi Arabia received a boost in 2018 with an official visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa to the Kingdom.
The timing was significant for both countries as they stepped up efforts for radical economic transformation with a heavy emphasis on boosting private sector participation.