Drivers jumping red lights are like killers: Saudi Mufti

Drivers who deliberately jump the red lights and cause deaths are like killers and their act is almost a premeditated murder, Saudi Arabia’s top Islamic cleric has said.

Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al Shaikh, the Gulf Kingdom’s Mufti (religious leader), said those who jump the red lights unintentionally are considered sinful.

“Those who deliberately do so are abusing Islam. In case their act results in death, then it is almost a premeditated murder,” he told Al Madina newspaper.

“Drivers should be very careful when coming close to a traffic signal even if they don’t see any cars. They should tame and control themselves near traffic signals.Tthose who do not respect the traffic lights must be held responsible for all the consequences.”

Filipino dies in mosque

A young Filipino died inside a mosque in Saudi Arabia, a newspaper reported on Tuesday. The man, who was named Faisal after after converting to Islam 20 days ago, died after praying at the mosque in the capital Riyadh, the Arabic language daily Sada said.

People at the mosque tried to save his life but he died before he was taken to hospital, the report said without mentioning how the man died. Faisal had worked as a nurse for a government hospital in Riyadh and performed Umrah (mini-pilgrimage) in Makkah on Thursday, Sada said.

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