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Saudi senior religious police officer replaced after liberal comments

Shaikh Ahmad Al Ghamdi was replaced as general manager for the Makkah branch of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in an announcement from the organisation's president, Shaikh Abdul Aziz Al Humain.

  • AFP
  • Published: 18:40 April 25, 2010

  • Image Credit: Gulf News

Riyadh: A senior Saudi religious police officer was replaced on Sunday after hardliners  were upset with his comments about easing the rules for prayer in mosques, and allowing men and women to mix freely.

Shaikh Ahmad Al Ghamdi was replaced as general manager for the Makkah branch of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in an announcement from the organisation's president, Shaikh Abdul Aziz Al Humain.

Al Humain gave no reason for the move, which included several other new appointments of senior officials of the religious police, popularly known as the Muttawa.

But the move came three days after Al Ghamdi was reportedly dressed down by the country's highest cleric for saying that Muslims are not necessarily required to pray inside a mosque with a group of other Muslims in daily prayers.

Grand Mufti Shaikh Abdul Aziz Al Shaikh told Al Ghamdi he was getting involved in matters of Sharia law that were outside his authority, the Al Madinah newspaper reported on Friday.

Al Shaikh also said in his sermon during Friday prayers that anyone suggesting that congregation prayer is not necessary is "leading people to hell," according to reports.

Al Ghamdi's replacement followed his denial on Wednesday that he had already been sacked for statements advocating free mixing of unrelated men and women.

Al Ghamdi, who could not immediately be contacted, has said several times since December that there is nothing in scripture supporting the strict segregation enforced by Saudi Arabia.

A key role of the Saudi religious police is to enforce gender segregation and the closure of all shops and offices so that men will attend prayers together.

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