Riyadh — Rumors have been circulating on social media regarding the arrest of prominent Saudi preacher Badr Al-Meshari, but a Saudi researcher Dr. Mohammed Al-Husayn has given an apt response to the speculation.
In response to the rumors, Dr. Al-Husayn tweeted in Arabic, “Whoever is arrested in our country for the purpose of interrogation, this procedure is not called (arrest), but rather a security detention in order to interrogate him in a certain case, and the term ‘arrest’ is used in countries other than ours.”
Muslim Brotherhood’s infamous media outlets namely Middle-East Monitor and Middle East Eye, have begun the rumors that Al-Meshari had been arrested by Saudi authorities for speaking “the truth” against the General Entertainment Authority.
Dr. Al-Husayn’s doctoral thesis focused on the topic of hate speech during the Islamic awakening in Gulf society. The Islamic awakening refers to a period of increased religious and political activism in the Muslim world, particularly in the Gulf region, starting in the 1970s. Dr. Al-Husayn’s thesis explored the use of hate speech during this period and its impact on Gulf society.
Dr. Al-Husayn said, “There are no respected scholars in our country who have been arrested or imprisoned. Rather, they are mere preachers who bypassed the systems followed in the state by inciting, agitating, and spreading hate speech, so they were arrested with a legal and security justification to protect the state and society from their ideas”.
The Saudi analyst addressed rumors circulating on Twitter and made it clear that the matter regarding the preacher in question is not the business of the general public. Instead, it is solely the responsibility of the official authorities to take action based on the information they have regarding the situation. Their actions are intended to promote the security and stability of society, should the rumors be proven true.
Furthermore, Dr. Al-Husayn emphasized that, the state and its official agencies are best equipped to identify any mistakes or transgressions made by citizens or residents. Therefore, it is unnecessary for individuals to take it upon themselves to pass judgment on those who have been arrested until a verdict of acquittal has been issued. The state’s legal system is designed to ensure that justice is served, and it is important to trust in their ability to do so.
“We are in the era of technology, and everything that is published in the public space in terms of tweets, writing audios and videos, is proven, whether it is in support of the Muslim Brotherhood and revolutions, and incitement to fighting in areas of conflict countries, regardless of the personality that you uphold”, he added.
Al-Meshari has not commented on the rumors of his arrest, and there has been no official statement from the Saudi authorities regarding the matter.
It is important to approach any news or information with a critical mind and to seek out reliable sources before making judgments. As Dr. Al-Husayn emphasized, it is crucial to trust the official authorities and their ability to protect the interests of the citizens and society as a whole.
