RIYADH, 29 March 2006 — Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, an imam of the Grand Mosque, said on Sunday that authorities in the Kingdom should note all violations made by imams and preachers during their sermons in mosques.
“Imams and preachers have a great responsibility to society. They have a duty to guide people. The authorities should note violations they commit in order to guide them to what is correct according to Shariah,” he said.
The imam was the chief guest at the distribution of awards at the “Prince Sultan ibn Salman 10th Annual Competition for Recitation of the Holy Qur’an” held by the Disabled Children’s Association. Eighteen students with different disabilities were given cash prizes for their recitation of the Holy Qur’an.
Following the prize distribution, Prince Sultan ibn Salman, DCA chairman, said that the association would open branches in Asir and Al-Baha in the near future.
He said that there were plans to increase the cash prizes and that next year’s distribution would take place in Makkah.
“The Kingdom is among the best in the world for caring for disabled persons. And no disabled person in the world could find a better place to offer him care and services.” Prince Sultan said.
Prince Sultan noted the role played by the private sector in supporting disabled persons’ associations. “Over 100 founders from the private sector, big companies, and banks contributed more than SR5 million each to the Prince Salman Center for Disability Research.”
Al-Sudais called on businessmen, religious people in society, thinkers, and others to support the association and its programs. “I will be a servant of this association starting this year,” said the imam.
Al-Sudais also said that disabled persons should be merged within society and taken care of. “There should be great efforts to include them in society. This responsibility rests on businessmen and people of good will and wealth,” he said.
