Saudi Arabia: New preachers have to pass security clearance before working

The Saudi ministry of interior has recently decided that new preachers have to pass “security clearance” prior to their appointment at mosques, the Saudi daily Al-Hayat reported Sunday.

The clearance procedures will be carried out by government agencies, including the local councils.

According to a source who spoke with Al-Hayat, the move aims at improving the professional standards based on which the Imams could be appointment, especially the preachers at “the major mosques” where Friday sermons are usually delivered and “where the preacher can influence a great number of audience.”