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Ear to the Ground

Saudi Arabia Thinks Big

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Posted on Mar 20, 2008
wikimedia.org / Ali Mansuri

The House of Saud clearly takes a top-down approach to ruling. Under mounting pressure from the West to confront religious fundamentalism, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs plans to retrain some 40,000 imams.

BBC:

Saudi Arabia is to retrain its 40,000 prayer leaders - also known as imams - in an effort to counter militant Islam.

Details of the plan were revealed in the influential Saudi newspaper Al-Sharq al-Awsat.

The plan is part of a wider programme launched by the Saudi monarch a few years ago to encourage moderation and tolerance in Saudi society.

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By MAE, March 26 at 6:12 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

The greatest terrorists are the USA and Israel. Their greed has spurred strive. Wherever the USA entered there is chaos. Before 9/11 there was peace. Remember after every action there is a reaction. President Washington should also be a terrorist as he fought the British. Even the Irish (Northern Ireland) are terrorists because they are fighting the UK. Is there a possibility that re-training imams will change the Saudi to become more pliant to the USA and Israel. More people have died in Iraq and Afghanistan than during the previous regime. Can the USA claim that it is a fully a democratic state.

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By Douglas Chalmers, March 24 at 4:51 pm #

Send them to lecture in a university in Iran, Expat, uhh....

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By cyrena, March 23 at 2:37 pm #

zeitgeist,

If you expect it from the FOX Fear Channel, you should certainly expect it from Chalmers. Actually, worse from Chalmers, because he can hide behind the Internet and spew anti-Obama hatred from thousands of miles away.

If it was FOX, they would be semi-held accountable.

So, just add Chalmers to the list of those posting here with a visceral hatred of Barack Obama, (and probably black men in general) and you know what to expect.

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By Expat, March 23 at 4:59 am #

^ and the results are not forthcoming.

“But critics are sceptical about whether such initiatives would work as long as the powerful, and ultraconservative, religious establishment in Saudi Arabia continues to exert enormous influence over society.”

“Only last week, a prominent cleric called for the beheading of two liberal writers who had questioned the orthodox view that Muslims can not change their religion.”

I cannot fathom how our fearless leaders (choke, gasp) expect their true bosses will listen to them.  Our fearless leaders (sic) have never learned to grovel properly to their real bosses.  They (Bush/Cheney) think they are actually in control.  Sad clowns!  LOL!!!

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By Guitarsandmore805, March 22 at 11:34 am #

Teaching about GOD in a positive light must be the answer to mans problems.  I do not believe there is a military solution to security issues simply because we are all vulnerable to some crack pot who would be willing to sacrifice his life for a misguided cause.

Saudi Arabia must continue to support and monitor this change in the teachings of ISLAM. In addition they must bring to justice all of those who preach suicide bombings are the path to glory and salvation.

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By zeitgeist, March 21 at 1:03 pm #

Douglas, I am confidant that Obama is not so foolish and so ignorant as to succumb to such a ridiculas ploy, or to be utilized as someone elses patsy to satisfy their warmongering goals.

Get a grip!

Now if you wish to inject the image of loose-cannon McCain into your statement instead, then we should really worry.

Peace, Best Wishes and Hope

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By jatihoon, March 21 at 6:40 am #

Before the so called “MONARCHS”, of Saudhi Arabia start ordering there Imams to change or otherwise, “OTHERWISE WHAT,” follow what they say not what the subject wants, i.e Freedom for all that includes women, to drive, write, sing and express there bottled up feelings. You do not need any curriculum for it, it is there birth right, and you will see the lessoning of terrorist activities in there piou kingdom. The Kingdom should “Import more of freedom, then export of Terrorism greased with oil money.” and that is the “HOLY TRUTH.”

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By Purple Girl, March 21 at 3:22 am #

It’s taken this long for the Saudi’s to take any action regarding the religious fanantics- lest we forget the number of High jackers originating from SA. Not to mention Binny & Family.
With all the civil rights they denied their people they finally address the ones that have been far too lenient? Violence in the name of Religion is Still violence- thus blashphemous & heretical.
Of course why would they want to remove their only scapegoats who have shielded the real terrorist of that country? It amazes me that the citizens of that country ( and others ) have not turned to look at the ‘leaders’ and ‘royal’ fmailies who rolled out the red carpet for the Inc’s who have been Raping their country for decades. I’m sure many are glad to see We are re-evaluating our ‘leaders’ and Profiteers and their role in the lead up to 9/11 , perhas it is about time they do the same.
I have been ready to Hold Cheney legally responsible for not only Treason , but War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity for the last 7 1/2 yrs. having watched the Hostage Crisis in the ‘70’s and all the subsequent attacks since- I knew their were entities from this country who have put US in harms way. So why have not any of these Middle easternn Countries acknowledged their Own Co Conspirators?
So when is Dick having his Welcome Home party at the bin Ladens-Osama must be waiting with baited breath fto see his old friend again.

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By Douglas Chalmers, March 20 at 9:19 pm #

Even they know the difference between truth and lies, zeitgeist, uhh.......

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By zeitgeist, March 20 at 9:06 pm #

I would expect this sort of remark from the FOX Fear Channel.

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By zeitgeist, March 20 at 9:02 pm #

As soon as the dollar turns into lead.

Once they will lose confidance in the American Dream, they will be placed on the corporate oligarchy’s list of terroists; through sanctions and emborgoes they will be taught a lesson for not dreaming porperly.

Peace, Best Wishes and Hope

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By Douglas Chalmers, March 20 at 8:59 pm #

“Only last week, a prominent cleric called for the beheading of two liberal writers who had questioned the orthodox view that Muslims can not change their religion....”

Should check more closely into what Barack Obama has been saying about religion and society in the USA. He’ll use Christian religion to his advantage and then turn around and cut your heads off once he has the power....... AIPAC told him so!

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By samosamo, March 20 at 7:23 pm #

Is there any indication as to when Saudi Arabia will switch from the dollar to the euro? And will they be nuked by the US later that day or on the next?

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