Preachers and imams have been asked to describe the Islamic State (IS) as a terror group that is affiliated with Al-Qaeda during their sermons.

Saleh Al-Asheikh, minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowment, Call and Guidance, has notified all the ministry’s branches across the country to warn worshippers of the dangers of the group’s rhetoric on Islam and creeds of faith.

“Preachers should make clear the threats that Al-Qaeda and its branches, which empower enemies of the Sunni school of thought, pose to society,” Al-Asheikh said in an official statement.

“Preachers must substantiate their argument with verses from the Qur’an and the sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to reinforce that what these groups are doing are crimes against humanity and constitute a grave threat to homeland security,” he said.

The statement cited the Sharura incident, where Al-Qaeda affiliates attacked a police patrol at a border outpost.

“Terrorists assaulted Saudi security men who were on duty at the border checkpoint and killed them in cold blood in contravention to verses that promise punishment for killers,” he said.

“Murder, looting and attacking honor are all abhorrent acts that are typical of these barbarians, whose ancestors must have fought Muslims and killed them in cold blood throughout the ages,” the statement said.