Saudis to replace expatriate teachers of Quran in schools

Riyadh: Expatriates will gradually be replaced, within three years, as teachers of the Quran in Saudi Arabia.

This was revealed during a meeting of the Makkah Governorate chaired by Governor Prince Khalid Al Faisal on Monday.

In November, the prince issued directives for formation of a working team from the Education Administration and charitable societies in Jeddah to put plans aiming at employing Saudis to teach in schools affiliated to the Holy Quran Memorisation Society.

The Makkah governor has asked the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowment, Call and Guidance in the region to implement the directives as soon as possible and replace foreigners with qualified Saudi Quran teachers

The move aims harsh and rare criticism against the prince from hardliners accusing him of falling under the pressure of liberals and describing the step as an initial one for final closure of Quran memorisation sessions.

In response, the organisation in charge of Quran memorisation in the Makkah branch denied reports carried by Saudi newspapers and websites saying that Quran memorising classes have been stopped.

The reports note that some 1,240 non-Saudi Quran teachers have been stopped from teaching in Jeddah alone.