In the wake of public anger and criticism, leading Saudi scholar Sheikh Muhammad Al-Areefi will not visit Occupied Jerusalem as planned next week. Al-Areefi had announced on the religious satellite channel, Iqra, earlier this week that he would visit Jerusalem next week where he would broadcast an episode of his show, but he returned home from Jordan Wednesday. Scholars and members of the public have criticized the plan, arguing that Al-Areefi should not visit Jerusalem because the city is under illegal occupation by Israeli forces. News agencies had circulated reports about his plan to travel to Jerusalem and indicated that he was in Jordan to try to get a visa to enter Israel. Muhammad Ahmad Salam, Director of Iqra Channel, denied news that Al-Areefi wanted to broadcast his next program from Jerusalem. He said Al-Areefi was in Jordan only to present religious programs.
