Hajj Tragedy: 2 Nigerians Commit Suicide In S/Arabia, Foreigners Banned From Teaching Quran

At a time Muslims from all over the world are performing the hajj in the Holy Land  of Mecca, two Nigerians, male and female have committed suicide there.

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 woman’s  death, adding that she was suffering from mental problems.

“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 Qur’ran in  their country. Reports say that a total of 1,240 foreigners are affected by the new  ban.

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.

“Qur’an memorising classes have not been stopped. The classes continue but only with  Saudi teachers … All expatriate teachers who work for the society have been stopped  from teaching,” said Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah Hanafy, Chairman of the Charitable  Society for Holy Qur’an Memorization in Makkah Region.

“We received a statement from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and  Guidance ordering us to stop expatriate teachers from teaching the Qur’an. We also  received orders not to transfer the iqamas of expatriate teachers to us,” he said.

“We’ve stopped them from teaching the Qur’an, but have not fired them yet,” he said.

Hanafy said that there is a dearth of qualified Saudi Qur’an teachers. He said  Saudis are often reluctant to teach the Qur’an because of low salaries

“We only have 100 Saudi Qur’an teachers. Now we need a large number of qualified  Saudi teachers who would also be willing to work for us.

“Saudis show no interest in teaching the Qur’an because we only pay SR1,000 per  month. Qur’an lessons also start in the afternoon, which is when most Saudis have  their siestas.

“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,”  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 Qur’an until they find enough Saudi  teachers.

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  ‘Islamophobia’. Is this the Saudi version of it ? The hypocrisy is stunning. Glad I  got out of there,” Amin Sharrieff said.

“What are these so called violations ? This is simply ridiculous,” Sarra said.

—Simon Ateba /with Agency Report