Riyadh, July 05: As part of the Saudi government’s comprehensive national strategy to fight terrorism, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance has launched an awareness campaign for imams and preachers.
Nearly 300 imams and preachers in Riyadh will benefit from the Islamic jurisprudence course on ‘Development and Citizenship’ organised by the Institute for Imams and Preachers under the ministry, which got under way yesterday.
While speaking, Dr Tawfiq Al Sudairy, undersecretary for mosque affairs, said that the ministry was implementing a long-term national strategy aimed at eradicating extremism in conjunction with 72,000 mosques across the Kingdom.
“It has to be noted that more than 250,000 Friday sermons have already been given focusing on doing away with deviant ideologies and warning the younger generation about this menace,” he said.
Second Deputy Prime Minister Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz had said earlier that imams and preachers have a vital role to play in fighting extremism. He noted that mosques were focusing on minor issues at a time when citizens are suffering as a result of major events that influence the fate of the Kingdom.
“This reflects incapacity and shortcomings. We must shift our focus to the greatest danger of all – that is, deviation from religion and disobedience to those in charge,” he said while stressing that security measures alone were not sufficient in combating this phenomenon.
“Ideological measures to protect our youth and prevent deviant ideas from reaching their minds are also needed,” he noted. Dr Al Sudairy said the ministry was conducting training courses for imams and preachers on two levels. One is through the facilities available within the ministry and the other is through specialised institutes outside the ministry. He noted that these programmes were aimed at enabling imams and preachers to shoulder their responsibility in helping to move society towards centrism and moderation and away from extremism and excess.
“Another objective of the programme is inculcating the spirit of loyalty and love for the nation among the imams and preachers and helping them to ensure that society does not work against the broad interests of the Kingdom,” Dr Al Sudairy said.
-Agencies