Saudi ministry to keep watch on preachers and imams

The evaluation team of the Saudi ministry will keep a watch on imams and Friday sermon preachers, according to Shaikh Saleh Al Shaikh, the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Propagation and Guidance.

Shaikh Saleh said the aim was to check that they were not violating the ministry's regulations and guidelines.

Speaking to reporters, Shaikh Saleh said the ministry had set up a consultation committee for imams and preachers in every province and region in the kingdom.

"These panels have been entrusted with the task of preparing reports about the performance and activities of imams and preachers in their concerned regions," the minister said.

"The report should contain an assessment of preaching as well as measures being taken in case of any violations," Shaikh Saleh added.

The minister said the committees would prepare reports in accordance with the findings of the ministry's evaluation teams.

"Each team, which consists of two or three scholars, will regularly visit mosques in all the districts and evaluate Friday sermons and preaching," he said, adding "Punitive measures will be taken if imams and preachers violate the guidelines and directives of the ministry or speak about matters that contravene public interest in the kingdom."

The ministry would occasionally provide topics for preaching, Shaikh Saleh added.