The Emir of Makkah, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, said those debating online about the decision on the Saudization of teaching positions at the Qur'an memorization schools in Makkah region should focus on “what benefits the country and people in this generous homeland, not with what harms themselves and other people.” Prince Khaled, who said he did not follow the debates, refused to respond to the online voices because of the approach they have taken. “I ask Allah the Almighty to forgive me and those who did me wrong,” he said, adding that he has no time to follow such online debates because he is occupied “with the service of this holy land, its residents and its visiting guests of Allah.” The Emir's comments came less than 24 hours after Sheikh Abdul Aziz Hanafi, head of the Charitable Society for the Memorization of the Holy Qur'an in Jeddah, said its Qur'an memorization sessions had not stopped and that more than 22,000 pupils are learning the Qur'an. Many observers were surprised at the reaction that followed the decision to not bring Saudization to the schools, especially because many Saudi graduates of Shariah majors are unemployed. Observers have wondered why these 40-year-old schools lack Saudi teachers. The Emir's Office in Makkah has earlier denied reports in the media that Qur'an memorization classes held by charities in the Makkah region have been closed down. “All that has happened is the enforcement of the 2003 order from the Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior to restrict teaching of Qur'an memorization to qualified Saudi teachers only,” the office said. The ministerial order was confirmed in 2005 by now departed Makkah Emir Prince Abdul Majeed Bin Abdul Aziz, and subsequently by the current Emir Prince Khaled Al-Faisal in 2009 and 2010. The Emir's Office acted after observing many foreign teachers still in their positions with charities and has urged Ministry of Islamic Affairs officials in the region to implement the order as soon as possible and replace foreigners with qualified Saudi Qur'an teachers.
