Muhammad al-Arifi | |
---|---|
محمد العريفي | |
Born | |
Nationality | Saudi Arabian [1] |
Occupation | scholar |
Years active | 1990-2019 |
Website |
arefe |
Muhammad bin Abdul-Rahman al-Arifi ( Arabic: محمد بن عبد الرحمن العريفي, born 15 July 1970) is a Saudi Arabian author and Da'i. He is a graduate of King Saud University, and member of the Muslim World League and the Association of Muslim Scholars. [2]
As of 2016, al-Arefe had over 20 million followers on Twitter. [3]
Muslim Brotherhood affiliation was denied for Arefe and Adil al-Kalbani by al-Kalbani, saying that they are affiliated with the Union of Muslim Scholars. [4]
He said that Syria jihad is incumbent and did apologia for al-Nusra, visiting the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque in Qatar. [5]
Al-Arefe had a discussion with Saudi Deputy crown prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud and then tweeted and posted a photo of them smiling together. [6] The discussion was held on the same day as Saudi Vision 2030 began. [7] [8] [9] He asked God to bless Prince Mohammad and posted his thanks. [10] al-Arefe met with Prince Mohamed bin Salman again and talked with him and posted the photo of them smiling together on Twitter. [11] They talked about the futures of the Islamic world and of the Kingdom (of Saudi Arabia). [12]
King Saud University employs Al-Arefe. [13]
Al-Arefe's Twitter account was suspended in 2018. [14] In February 2021 it was reported that al-Arefe is under watch by Saudi government authorities and that his moves and actions are being followed using spy devices and a tracking knee band. [15]
In May 2013, Al-Arefe was banned from entering Switzerland for a period of 5 years, for holding extreme views, Switzerland said. [2] [16]
In March 2014, he was banned by the Home Office from returning to Britain after a series of sermons in Cardiff, Birmingham and London. A Home Office spokesperson said: "We can confirm “Al-Arefe” has been excluded from the United Kingdom. The Government makes no apologies for refusing people access to the UK if we believe they represent a threat to our society. Coming here is a privilege that we refuse to extend to those who seek to subvert our shared values." [17] [18]
Denmark banned him from entering the country for two years in May 2017. [19] [20]