SILLY LOCALISATION OF SAUDIA

Jeddah, November 03: A total of 1,240 non-Saudi Qur’an teachers have been stopped from teaching in Jeddah.

The Makkah region branch of the organization in charge of Qur'an memorization (tahfiz) schools has said reports published in a local Arabic newspaper that expatriate teachers have not been stopped from teaching Qur'an are untrue.

"Qur'an memorizing classes have not been stopped. The classes continue but only with Saudi teachers … All expatriate teachers who work for the society have been stopped from teaching," said Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah Hanafy, chairman of the Charitable Society for Holy Qur’an Memorization (Makkah Region).

"We received a statement from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance ordering us to stop expatriate teachers from teaching the Qur’an. We also received orders not to transfer the iqamas of expatriate teachers to us," he said.

"We've stopped them from teaching the Qur'an, but have not fired them yet," he said.

Criticizing the move, the chairman said there is a dearth of qualified Saudi Qur'an teachers. "We only have 100 Saudi Qur’an teachers. Now we need a large number of qualified Saudi teachers who would also be willing to work for us," said Hanafy.

He said Saudis are often reluctant to teach the Qur'an because of low salaries. "Saudis show no interest in teaching the Qur'an because we only pay SR1,000 per month. Qur’an lessons also start in the afternoon, which is when most Saudis have their siestas.

There are other sessions that are held during the evening, but Saudis usually refuse to attend them because this is the time when people usually socialize," he said.

The chairman also denied reports that only Saudi students will now be allowed to attend tahfiz lessons. "All students who are interested in memorizing the Qur'an are welcome to attend. Memorizing the Qur'an is a right for every Muslim. We never put restrictions on teaching the Qur'an to expatriates," added Hanafy.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance said in a report that it wishes for Saudis to teach the Qur’an because of violations committed by expatriate teachers. No one from the ministry was available to discuss this matter further.

"We received a statement saying that expatriate teachers are committing violations and breaking rules, but we do not know what these violations are. Most of the expatriate teachers are qualified enough and never create problems," said Hanafy.

He further called on the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance to allow expatriate teachers to continue teaching the Qur’an until they find enough Saudi teachers.