Aw Gee, There Goes Religious Toleration

Friend says Saudi cleric canceled Jerusalem visit

A Jordanian friend of a Saudi cleric said Wednesday the religious leader has bowed to pressure from the kingdom and canceled his announced visit to Jerusalem.

Saudi Sheik Mohammed al-Areefi surprised everyone when he told viewers Sunday on his Iqra television show that he would visit Jerusalem this week and film an episode of the show there to support Muslim claims to the city.

Such a visit would be unprecedented for a Saudi cleric since the kingdom, like most Muslim countries, observes a strict boycott of Israel.

The announcement set off a controversy in the kingdom, with Saudi state-owned Al-Watan newspaper on Wednesday quoting passport authorities spokesman Lt. Col. Badr Malik as saying visiting Israel is prohibited and any violator is punishable under Saudi law.

In Jordan, a close friend of the cleric said al-Areefi "revoked his plans under pressure from the Saudi government."