Advertisement

Saudi cleric banned from Fribourg Islamic meet

Malcolm Curtis
Malcolm Curtis - [email protected]
Saudi cleric banned from Fribourg Islamic meet
Mohammed Al Arifi (Screenshot from YouTube)

The federal government has cancelled the planned visit of a controversial Saudi preacher to an Islamic conference this weekend in Fribourg.

Advertisement

The federal migration office announced that Mohammed Al Arifii was banned from entering Switzerland or the Schengen area.

The preacher, whose planned visit to the conference had raised objections from critics who accused him of preaching violence and hatred.

He has been accused of anti-Semitism, insulting homosexuals and offering advice on wife-beating, among a range of condemnations.

Federal officials earlier this week ordered the cleric’s name to be removed from the list of speakers at the conference organized by the Central Islamic Swiss Council (CCIS).

Arifi’s appearance in Fribourg was approved last month by the prefect of the Sarine, Carl-Alex Ridoré, who issued directives calling for the meeting to abide by Swiss laws.

The federal migration office did not give reasons for banning the preacher.

The CCIS last year drew 1,500 people to its first conference in Bienne, which was held without incident.

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also