Saudi- Ministry suspends 18 preachers

(MENAFN- Arab News) The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance has suspended 18 preachers over the past month from delivering Friday sermons in six Saudi cities. They had breached regulations concerning sensitive political issues taking place in some Arab countries. Undersecretary of the ministry, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Sudairi, said that the ministry investigated the 18 preachers. "A number of them were suspended from work for violations such as fomenting sedition and addressing political issues," he said. Al-Sudairi said the ministry suspended two preachers from Riyadh and one from the Northern Border region. "Another preacher in Jeddah was suspended and referred to the consultation committee for further investigations." He said two preachers were warned and suspended in the Eastern Province for two months. "Other procedures were taken against the rest of the preachers in Tabuk and Qassim," he said.