In what will come as a shock to more than a few Saudi clerics, the Minister of Justice states that ‘Salafism is not Islam’. He goes on to call it merely a ‘descriptive approach’ to Islam, but that it is one of moderation.

This Arab News interview with the Minister ranges across the legal spectrum. Noting that 60% of court cases involve family matters, he suggests that more work needs to be done in finding ways to resolve disputes without violence or involving the courts. That, of course, means educating the public and trying to shift social conventions. There’s a lot of that needed these days, unfortunately.

Salafism is only an approach, says justice minister
ARAB NEWS

RIYADH: Minister of Justice Dr. Mohammed bin Abdul Kareem Al-Issa said Salafism should not be interpreted as Islam at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University in Riyadh.

The minister said in reply to a question by the rector of the university: “Salafism is only a descriptive approach, not a name. This means we obey the ancestors’ belief and values in understanding Islam, which is a moderate approach practiced by the late King Abdul Aziz who founded our Kingdom based on this approach.”

During the lecture attended by the rector of the university, deans, teaching staff, students and some experts, the minister dwelt at length on the subject of social work in the courts. He called on people to resolve all struggles and fights in a peaceful way without resorting to violence or without going to the court.
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