3rd November, 2010
One of the victims, a female pilgrim, who was in her fifties committed suicide in Makkah, according to reports today.
According to the Arab News, the Nigerian whose state of origin and identity were not disclosed, died by jumping from the 10th floor of a residential building where she was staying in Saudi Arabia.
Maj. Abdul Mohsen Al-Maiman, spokesman of Makkah police, confirmed the womanâ€
“She died jumping from a toilet window,†he said.
Police have launched an investigation to know whether there were any criminal motives behind the incident.
The woman was residing in a building in Kudai.
The other Nigerian suicide case was that of a man in his forties. The man who was living illegally in the Kingdom hanged himself on a light post in a desolate area in Makkah.
Al-Maiman said police are investigating the incident.
Meanwhile, the Saudi government has banned all foreigners from teaching Qurâ€
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance in Saudi Arabia which announced the ban said in a report that the move aims at stopping violations committed by expatriate teachers.
“Qurâ€
“We received a statement from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance ordering us to stop expatriate teachers from teaching the Qurâ€
“Weâ€
Hanafy said that there is a dearth of qualified Saudi Qurâ€
“We only have 100 Saudi Qurâ€
“Saudis show no interest in teaching the Qurâ€
“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 socialise,â€Â Hanafy said.
However, Hanafy denied reports that only Saudi students will now be allowed to attend tahfiz lessons.
He called on the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance to allow expatriate teachers to continue teaching the Qurâ€
The move to ban foreigners is generating a lot negative reactions from all over the Muslim world.
“What kind of Islamic country is Saudi Arabia? No one can understand at all. If there are no expatriates, then there is no Saudi Arabia. Saudis are lazy and swollen headed people who are making money from expatriates and enjoying the life of luxury,†Mohammed said.
“And Saudis complain when they are treated unfairly in other countries branding it ‘Islamophobiaâ€
“What are these so called violations ? This is simply ridiculous,†Sarra said.
—Simon Ateba /with Agency Report