JEDDAH, 12 June 2006 — The governor of Asir, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, yesterday urged imams (prayer leaders at mosques) to expose the deviants who try to undermine the Kingdom’s security and stability and destroy its achievements.
“You should try to spread love, peace and patriotism among the people and encourage them to participate in the development process and protect the country’s security and stability,” he told a meeting in Abha of some 300 khateebs (imams who deliver Friday sermons) from across the region.
The meeting, which is the first of its kind organized by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, aims to promote moderation and fight deviant thoughts.
In his opening speech, Prince Khaled spoke about the government’s efforts to establish mosques and its concern to look after the welfare of Islamic scholars including imams and khateebs. He warned khateebs against misusing mosques to deliver political speeches.
He called on the khateebs to enlighten the public on Islamic principles and encourage them to practice the divine teachings in their daily lives. “You have to encourage people to practice the morals taught by the Holy Qur’an,” the governor told the gathering.
Saudi authorities have been keeping a close watch on imams and khtaeebs as part of efforts to combat extremism and promote patriotism. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, which supervises mosques, has warned that it would take drastic actions against imams and khateebs who preach extremism and do not follow the moderate teachings of Islam.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Humaid, director general of the ministry’s office in Asir, confirmed that the ministry had fired nearly 200 imams last year for failing to abide by instructions.
“We have deployed a number of supervisors to monitor the performance of imams and khateebs, especially the sermons they give on Fridays and the speeches they deliver after prayers,” Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic daily quoted the official as saying.
Humaid said there is a panel of prominent Islamic scholars at the ministry to give guidelines to imams and khateebs.
According to figures issued by the ministry, there are about 70,000 mosques across the Kingdom including 15,000 mosques where Friday prayers take place.
