|
Saudi
judge condemns 'immoral TV.' |
|
| 12th September, 2008 | |
 |
|
The
most senior judge in Saudi Arabia has said it is permissible to kill the
owners of satellite TV channels which broadcast immoral programmes. |
|
Sheikh Salih Ibn al-Luhaydan said some "evil" entertainment
programmes aired by the channels promoted debauchery. |
|
Dozens of satellite television channels broadcast across the Middle East,
where they are watched by millions of Arabs every day. |
|
The judge made the comments on a state radio programme. He was speaking
in response to a listener who asked his opinion on the airing of programmes
featuring scantily-dressed women during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
|
|
"There
is no doubt that these programmes are a great evil, and the owners of
these channels are as guilty as those who watch them," said the sheikh. |
|
| "It is legitimate to kill those who call for corruption if their evil can not be stopped by other penalties." | |
| Royal dilemma | |
| Given his position as the country's most senior judge, the sheikh's views can not be easily dismissed, says BBC Arab affairs analyst, Magdi Abdelhadi. | |
| Clerics like Sheikh al-Luhaydan represent a huge dilemma for the Saudi royal family, our correspondent adds. | |
On
the one hand, Saudi rulers need their support to claim that they rule
in the name of Islam. |
|
| But on the other hand, fighting militant Islam can be difficult when the country's top judge calls for the beheading of those he views as immoral broadcasters. | |
Comment: |
|
| It is not really very easy to know what to say. But if they want to live in that world: let them, and remit any T.V. shows that they now receive. | |
| That may sound harsh; but it is their choice. If their addiction to media, like everybody elses', does not take a remission: then they can join the Enlightenment for themselves.... | |
The
article is available at: |
|
 |
|
