Sheikh Saleh Bin Abdul Aziz Aal Al-Sheikh, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowment and Dawa, has said that Friday sermons may address contemporary issues, as long as they stay within Islamic guidelines. The minister went on to describe training of mosque imams and khateebs (Friday sermon preachers) as having “proved successful in preventing poor performance over the past three years.” Aal Al-Sheikh said ministry handed out a two-point plan to bring poorly performing imams and khateebs up to the required standard with training for the former conducted within the ministry by scholars and preachers, and training courses for both in other specialist institutes in the Kingdom and abroad. The ministry only employs khateebs and imams with university degrees in Shariah Law, with the exception of a very few who work in remote areas. The minister praised imams and khateebs working within the ministry fold for their compliance with ministry rules governing their work, and said they had the freedom to tackle modern issues in their sermons but within certain limits. “The limits do not allow any defamation of countries, people and organizations. They may touch on political issues in their sermons, but it must be in accordance with general Shariah and Islamic guidelines which in essence prevent the infliction of harm to others. Aal Al-Sheikh further emphasized the important role of imams in correcting misconceptions and counteracting deviant thought. “By doing so,” he said, “they advocate the true creed decreed by Almighty Allah which is a great task.” Imams are also entrusted with leading prayers, he continued, “which is one of the greatest tasks in Islam since the Prophet (peace be upon him) himself used to perform this task.” – Okaz __
