"Who shall bring us back (to life)" 'Say,' "He Who created you first!" : Saudi Clerics incl. Imam-e-Kaaba under Detention, Trial

By: Azhar Azam

Some notable religious scholars including Imam of al-Masjid al-Haraam have been detained by Saudi Arabia, according to Prisoners of Conscience (POC) – a social media advocacy group, which monitors and documents arrests in Saudi Arabia.

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Since September 2017, Saudi Arabia has arrested scores of religious clerics, jurists, and activists due to their religious and political spats with the Kingdom. This significant policy shift is mainly ascribed to Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman (MBS).

Sheihk Dr. Bandar ibne Abdulaziz Baleela

In a recent crackdown, Imam Haram – Sheihk Bandar Abdulaziz Baleela – who also serves as Assistant Professor in University of Taif, was arrested by the Saudi authorities for slamming the mixed gatherings in entertainment events.

The activist group claimed that the Sheikh Baleela was detained in an ‘abusive way’ that does not fit with the status of the Sheikh. He was arbitrarily detained on September 11 for four days in a Saudi prison under inhuman conditions before he was released.

Sheikh Dr. Saleh al Talib

In August this year, another Imam of Haram and a judge in District Court of Makkah – Sheikh Dr. Saleh al Talib – was also arrested over his outcry to speak against doing evil and the duty in Islam to deny that in public.

In his sermon, Sheikh Talib roasted the Entertainment Agency of Saudi Arabia for propagation and hosting men and women in concerts and other events. The Kingdom is yet to confirm or deny his detention.

Sheikh Khaled bin Ali al Ghamdi

In its tweet on September 14, POC confirmed that – Sheikh Khaled bin Ali al Ghamdi – was banned from teaching at the University of Umm Al-Qura in Makkh. POC preludes that it could end in suspension of his career after suspension from preaching.

Born in the holy city of Makkah, al Ghamdi has been an Imam in the Grand Mosque since 2008. During his first prayer (Isha’a), he cried profoundly as his voice echoed around the Masjid-e-Haraam.

Sheikh Faisal bin Jameel al Ghazzawi

Same day, the POC also confirmed the banning of – Sheikh Faisal bin Jameel al Ghazzawi – the Imam and preacher of al-Haram al-Makki. He was also born in Makkah and was appointed as Imam of Grand Mosque together with Sheikh al Ghamdi.

Sheikh Ibrahim Haiyel al Yamani

The detainees also include – Sheikh Ibrahim Haiyel al Yamani – who has been a Mufti in the al-Masjid an-Nabawi (Prophet’s Mosque). Detained in September 2017, He has been trialed over a series of charges against him.

Sheikh Nasser al Omar

The independent human rights organization also revealed that in the month of August – Sheikh Nasser al Omar – has also been arrested by the Saudi authorities. In September 2017, he was advised to refrain from discussing political issues.

The Twitter post added that Saudi officials had previously imposed travel ban on the academic. Sheikh Al Omar is known for rejecting the US military bases in Arabian Peninsula.

Sheikh Muhammad Saleh al Munajjid

According to the rights group, Sheikh Muhammad Saleh al Munajjid – an eminent Saudi scholar of Syrian heritage and the founder of the world’s most popular Islamic website – was also detained in September 2017.

Al Munajjid learnt the most from Sheikh Abdul Rahman ibne Nasser al Barrak and also through question-and-answer sessions of Sheikh Abdulaziz ibne Abdullah ibne Baaz. He also attended the study circles of Sheikh Muhammad ibne Saleh al Uthaymeen and Sheikh Abdullah Abdul Rahman al Jibreen.

Set up in 1996, his landmark religious verdict website islamqa.info is still running and developing services in various languages. In 2015, the site was ranked as most popular website on the topic of Islam by Alexa.

Sheikh Salman al Ouda

Sheikh Awad al Qarni

POC has further claimed that the Saudi prosecutor has demanded the death sentence for the famous Saudi clerics – Sheikh Salman al Ouda and Sheikh Awad al Qarni – for opposing MBS policy on Qatar.

Both the scholars were the active part of the Sahwa (awakening) movement in early 1990s, which criticized the Kingdom’s decision to allow US military bases on the holy soil from a potential threat of Iraqi invasion.

Sheikh Safar al Hawali

On July 12, the authority also detained – Sheikh Safar al Hawali – a leading Sahwa reformist movement figure, a prominent preacher and a strong critic of American influence in the Saudi Arabia.

Last month, the online activist group had confirmed that al Hawali was taken to the hospital after he suffered from a stroke, broken pelvis, and renal failure. His arrest came in the backdrop of his harsh criticism on Saudi pro-US and anti-Qatar policies.

There are unconfirmed reports of al Hawali’s death over deterioration of health as well.

Sheikh Suleiman al Dweesh

In August 2018, POC confirmed the death of another prominent Saudi scholar – Sheikh Suleiman al Dweesh due to torture in a secret prison. He was arrested within a day after posting criticism substance against MBS on social media.

Sheikh Abdul Aziz al Tarifi

Although there were reports about the release of a well-known Saudi preacher – Sheikh Abdul Aziz al Tarifi – in August last year, however the human rights organization is yet to confirm, revealing that Sheikh was transferred to hospital over poor health.

Al Tarifi was detained in April 2016 after his Tweet on Saudi regime ‘There are some rulers who think that renouncing their religion to satisfy infidels will put an end to the pressures on them, the more they push them’.

Sheikh Nayef al Sahafi

Arbitrarily detained since September 2017 – Sheikh Nayef al Sahafi – is also undergoing a secret trial. Sheikh al Sahafi is a well-known preacher who conducts religious programs with Sheikh Mansour al Salimi.

Sheikh Dr. Abl al Aziz al Fawzan

According to POC, More than 15 members of the Teacher’s Board at al Imam University are now under arbitrary detection, the latest of whom is – Sheikh Dr. Abl al Aziz al Fawzan – after he expressed his concern on the suppression of sheikhs and preachers.

He tweeted “The war between the friends of the Most Merciful (Allah) and the devil has been on-going since Adam and Iblees’ landing on earth. And its enemies from amongst the disbelievers and hypocrites have since been waging a war on our religion, values, and nations with everything at their disposal and at all levels. It is as Allah says: ‘They will not stop fighting you until they make you revert from your religion, if they are able.’ (Quran 2:217)”.

Here are some of the other clerics and preachers who have been detained by the Saudi authority, according to Prisoners of Conscience: