Police arrested two Yemenis and a Sudanese here on the charge of practicing “malicious magic.” Confiscated from their house were sorcery books and formulas suspected for use in casting spells. The names of their alleged customers were also seized. The three are charged with “malicious activities” to break up marriages and inflict harm on people for money. They reportedly slaughtered black sheep as part of their sorcery rituals. Sheikh Hassan Faqih, head of the Comission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, said that the three sorcerers admitted to their malicious practices. As per Shariah law, Saudi Arabia prohibits sorcery. “Malicious magic” is perceived to have the power to influence the mind, body or possessions and cause disease, sickness in animals, bad luck, sudden death, impotence and other such misfortunes. __
