Okaz/Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance have dispensed with a number of Friday preachers for deputizing others to deliver the Friday sermon (Khutba) without notifying the ministry, Okaz/Saudi Gazette has learned.

The Friday preachers who were dispensed were also deputizing others to perform the prayer, which tempts the representative of choosing the sermon's topic on their own, ignoring the ministry' circular of specifying the topic of the week's Khutba in advance.

According to one of the ministry's employees, the preachers must avoid being absent from their pulpits and also avoid deputizing, if they are asked to address a topic previously nominated by the ministry.

Many preachers who have been in pulpits for decades have been dispensed with and subjected to accountability, due to their absence and deputizing others to deliver a sermon that contradicts the sermon asked by the ministry.

It is noteworthy that the ministry has previously tuned the voice of the pulpit and also improved the selection of topics for Friday sermons, so that it touches reality and impacts daily life of people.

The ministry also contributed to selecting topics for Friday sermons that would warn against disunity and warn against the approaches of terrorist groups, including (the terrorist Brotherhood and terrorist Al-Sururiya organization) and keep the sermon away from extremist ideology and politicization.

The era of the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh is distinguished by wisdom, moderation, and preserving the country's position and its wise leadership.

Dr. Al-Sheikh is characterized for being known for his communication with mosque preachers in various regions and governorates of Saudi Arabia.

He has been constantly urging them to warn against all speeches that adopt inciting people against the rulers and leaders, as well as that incite discord among Muslims, spreading division in society, or provoking strife.