Gulf | Saudi Arabia
Saudi ministry buys helicopters to boost security
Saudi Interior Minster Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz said the ministry has signed a contract for the purchase of 30 helicopters.
- By Mariam Al Hakeem, Correspondent
- Published: 16:29 April 28, 2008
Riyadh: Saudi Interior Minster Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz said the ministry has signed a contract for the purchase of 30 helicopters.
“The new helicopters will work in all fields of security at the Ministry of Interior. The copters began arriving in the Kingdom now,'' he said.
The minister was speaking to reporters after attending the graduation ceremony of 3,123 students, who completed security courses from the Public Security Training Institute here on Sunday evening.
Prince Naif said: “I am proud of these moments of a number of youth graduating to serve the Kingdom and its people, as well as to realise security''.
Regarding the use of technologies at Saudi borders to curb infiltration and smuggling, the minister said: “We are on our way to use the best technologies at the borders.''
Prince Naif also opened the Second Security Exhibition organised by the Public Security Directorate.
The exhibition features several creative works of students highlighting the menace of terrorism and its evil consequences as well as the achievements made by the security forces in combating the scourge of terror.
Meanwhile, the General Department for Endowments and Mosques in Jeddah Region started interrogation of some imams and muezzins for dereliction of duty.
Shaikh Fuhaid Al Barqi, director-general of the department, told Al Watan Arabic daily that their interrogation was based on reports presented by the Shariah committee regarding their performance.
“Field inspectors, deputed by the committee noted some flaws in their performance of duty. We will take punitive measures against the erring imams after completion of investigation,'' he said.
Al Barqi said the complaints included their absence without prior approval from the concerned religious authorities.
“Some of them used to leave mosque premises after authorising others to take care of the affairs. This tendency cannot be tolerated,'' he said. Al Barqi noted that no complaints against imams and muezzins about their alleged association with militants have so far been received by his department.
The committee is keen to ensure that they are performing their duties in a way strictly adhering to the Islamic principles. “Also, we will ensure that imams and khateebs are delivering sermons as per the directives and guidance issued by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance,'' he said.
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