Saudi Gazette reports—briefly—that a number of imams and khateebs have been removed from their jobs at Saudi mosques for preaching extremist beliefs. The article also alludes to some having been fired for being ill or negligent in their care of their mosques. No numbers or examples are provided, unfortunately, so it’s difficult to put this into context. That at least some who preach intolerance have been fired, though, is a good sign.
Mosque sackings for ‘extremist thought’ and ‘negligence’
Naeem Tameem Al-KaheemJEDDAH – The Chairman of the Imams and Khateebs Assessment Committee at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Azzam Al-Shuway’er, has said that a number of imams and khateebs (persons who give Friday sermons) have been dismissed from their positions citing as reasons “extremist thought, illness and negligence of mosques”.
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July:03:2009 - 10:34
It is a good sign, indeed. But the speed of change is so slow that it takes years to see any noticeable improvement.
July:03:2009 - 15:52
Hmm…i hope this comes from a genuine desire for reform, not as appeasement.
July:05:2009 - 12:32
I too think numbers and specifics are necessary to determining the relevance of this. If they fired one guy because he praised Al-Qaeda and 400 guys for being ill or not maintaining their mosques, then it’s basically a non-story.
July:05:2009 - 12:46
Certainly. It’s important, though, that the Saudi media believes it important to highlight the quashing of extremists. Whatever the total numbers, it’s an indication that people and the government are tiring of extremism.