In an important step reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to establishing the principles of transparency and governance, His Excellency the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Latif bin Abdulaziz Al Sheikh, issued a directive to all mosque preachers in various regions of the Kingdom to dedicate the sermon of next Friday, corresponding to 14 Jumada al-Akhirah 1447 AH, to talking about the values of integrity, honesty and combating corruption.
A comprehensive national framework for combating corruption
This directive comes within the broader context of the Kingdom's national efforts under Vision 2030, which prioritizes transparency and combating corruption to achieve sustainable development and build a prosperous economy. Since the launch of the Vision, the state has taken decisive steps to strengthen institutional and legal frameworks, most notably the pivotal role played by the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) in protecting public funds and holding violators accountable. Utilizing the most influential religious platform, the Friday sermon, to disseminate these messages underscores the integration between the state's strategies and religious institutions to achieve the shared goal of building a society that is honest and immune to corruption.
The themes of the sermon and its legal dimensions
The ministerial directive outlined specific themes for the sermon, grounded in sound Islamic principles. It emphasized the importance of highlighting the value of trustworthiness in Islam, considering it one of the greatest qualities of believers and a fundamental pillar for the well-being of society, citing the verse: “And those who are faithful to their trusts and their covenants.” The sermon also included warnings against the dangers of administrative and financial corruption and its devastating effects on the stability of individuals and societies, stressing the prohibition against misappropriating public funds and exploiting one's position for personal gain. Particular emphasis was placed on the crime of bribery, based on the Prophetic hadith: “The Messenger of God, peace and blessings be upon him, cursed the one who gives a bribe and the one who takes it,” thus reinforcing the understanding that corruption is not merely a legal violation, but a grave sin according to Islamic law.
Importance and expected impact
Domestically, this unified sermon is expected to raise public awareness of the importance of integrity and the necessity of reporting corruption crimes as a national and religious duty. It also reinforces citizens' confidence in the state's commitment to addressing this scourge. Regionally and internationally, this initiative sends a strong message to investors and international partners that the Kingdom is committed to creating a safe and transparent investment environment, thereby enhancing its economic and political standing. Linking the fight against corruption with moderate religious discourse highlights the Kingdom's comprehensive approach to reform, which combines tradition and modernity. The Ministry affirmed that it will closely monitor the implementation of this directive to ensure the message reaches the widest possible audience, contributing to the preservation of the nation's resources and the prosperity of its citizens.
