Sidelights: Muezzin + stick = problem

BAHA: The muezzin of a new mosque in the southwestern village of Jafen lost his cool and came to work swinging a big stick. According to a report in the Okaz daily on Monday, worshippers had to restrain the prayer caller who apparently intended harm on one member of the congregation for some unknown grudge. A source at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Endowments said the man had been a muezzin for more than 30 years and had a clean record. He was recently assigned to call for prayer at the new mosque, but after raising this ruckus he was redeployed to his previous mosque.