Talking to foreign media is haram: Grand mufti’s edict

Foreign media seeking to “spread chaos and strife in the Muslim world” says Grand Mufti.

Saudi Arabia’s grand mufti issued a religious edict prohibiting contact and cooperation with the foreign media seeking to “spread chaos and strife in the Muslim world”.

Addressing a Friday sermon at a mosque in Riyadh, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh said that people should not divulge their country’s secrets to foreign media outlets as these media groups are only concerned with creating a divide among the people.

The kingdom’s grand mufti warned against shielding or giving refuge to criminals. “A believer has to help in keeping security, that of his nation and community, and protecting his religion,” the Saudi newspaper Okaz quoted him as saying.

However he urged the people to address their matters to responsible authorities within the state.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2012.