Okaz/Saudi Gazette TABUK — The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has arrested several preachers and imams for abusing their privilege and religious platforms to propagate sectarian political views. Ministry of Islamic Affairs Institute for Imams and Preachers General Director Fahd Al-Sulaiman said the institute closely monitors the imams in mosques during Friday sermons. He however said the number of imams arrested for promoting a political agenda is not very high. "The phenomenon is hardly threatening as most imams understand their moral and ethical obligation when they deliver sermons and preach," said Al-Sulaiman. He also said mosques are not clubhouses for sectarianism and tribalism. "The mosque represents unity in Muslim society. It is the place where everyone is welcome and it is the place where people join to worship Allah leaving behind their biases and prejudices. The institute has a clear procedure to take whenever it detects an imam or preacher promoting political agenda," said Al-Sulaiman. He added the violator is called in by a religious committee formed at the directorate that appointed him. "The committee normally consists of judges, scholars, the head of the directorate and his assistant. The committee investigates the report they received against the imam or preacher," said Al-Sulaiman. He said if the allegations were true and the violator admits his violation and gives reasonable explanations for the slip, he may return to his work after signing a pledge to refrain from repeating the violation. "If the violator persisted thinking that he had the right to commit such violations, then he is immediately fired from the position and will no longer be allowed to preach. The institute does not tolerate such propaganda to be spread in the name of Islam," said Al-Sulaiman. He also said many worshippers have complained that the Friday sermons sometimes take too long. "The sermons of the Prophet, peace be upon him, were never more than 5 minutes, or at best, 10 minutes long. Unfortunately some imams like to show off their linguistic competence, public speaking skills and scholarship in cultural and social matters by speaking for long," said Al-Sulaiman.
