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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Saudi judge condemns 'immoral TV' | Saudi judge condemns 'immoral TV' |
| (4 days later) | |
| The most senior judge in Saudi Arabia has said it is permissible to kill the owners of satellite TV channels which broadcast immoral programmes. | The most senior judge in Saudi Arabia has said it is permissible to kill the owners of satellite TV channels which broadcast immoral programmes. |
| Sheikh Salih Ibn al-Luhaydan said some "evil" entertainment programmes aired by the channels promoted debauchery. | Sheikh Salih Ibn al-Luhaydan said some "evil" entertainment programmes aired by the channels promoted debauchery. |
| Dozens of satellite television channels broadcast across the Middle East, where they are watched by millions of Arabs every day. | Dozens of satellite television channels broadcast across the Middle East, where they are watched by millions of Arabs every day. |
| The judge made the comments on a state radio programme. | The judge made the comments on a state radio programme. |
| He was speaking in response to a listener who asked his opinion on the airing of programmes featuring scantily-dressed women during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. | He was speaking in response to a listener who asked his opinion on the airing of programmes featuring scantily-dressed women during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. |
| "There is no doubt that these programmes are a great evil, and the owners of these channels are as guilty as those who watch them," said the sheikh. | "There is no doubt that these programmes are a great evil, and the owners of these channels are as guilty as those who watch them," said the sheikh. |
| "It is legitimate to kill those who call for corruption if their evil can not be stopped by other penalties." | "It is legitimate to kill those who call for corruption if their evil can not be stopped by other penalties." |
| Royal dilemma | Royal dilemma |
| Given his position as the country's most senior judge, the sheikh's views can not be easily dismissed, says BBC Arab affairs analyst, Magdi Abdelhadi. | Given his position as the country's most senior judge, the sheikh's views can not be easily dismissed, says BBC Arab affairs analyst, Magdi Abdelhadi. |
| Clerics like Sheikh al-Luhaydan represent a huge dilemma for the Saudi royal family, our correspondent adds. | Clerics like Sheikh al-Luhaydan represent a huge dilemma for the Saudi royal family, our correspondent adds. |
| On the one hand, Saudi rulers need their support to claim that they rule in the name of Islam. | On the one hand, Saudi rulers need their support to claim that they rule in the name of Islam. |
| But on the other hand, fighting militant Islam can be difficult when the country's top judge calls for the beheading - the standard judicial execution in the Saudi Arabia - of those he views as immoral broadcasters. |