Riyadh: A controversial head of a literary club in Saudi Arabia was dismissed on Tuesday after leveling a false accusation to another club member.
Ahmad Hamid Al Mass'ad, President of the southern Al Baha Literary Club was quickly replaced with the deputy chairman, Mohammad Al Zahrani until the board of directors meet and elect a new chairman.
Saudi Arabia's Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdul Aziz Khoja reiterated his ministry's commitment to safeguarding the rights and honor of cultural figures in the Kingdom.
The club Chairman Ahmad Hamid Al Mass'ad triggered a controversy last week when he lodged a complaint with police against Dr. Ali Mohammad Al Rubai, one member of the club, that the latter wanted a "live broadcast" of a woman's lecture to the men's side of the hall at a poetry event held recently at the Al Khansa Hall of the Club.
His allegation was that Al Rubai's request to transmit pictures of the women to the men's side was "satanic".
Al Rubai immediately responded by informing the police that he was falsely accused.
Al Mass'ad backtracked shortly after the matter was reported in the media, claiming he never filed a complaint with the police.
Deputy Minister of Cultural affairs Dr. Abdullah Al Jasser said the ministry's decision came after the matter was thoroughly investigated and Al Mass'ad was found guilty.
