JEDDAH: ARAB NEWS
Monday 27 May 2013

Saudi Sheikh Mohammad Al-Arifi has been banned again from entering Switzerland and all European Union countries, according to a Swiss official.

Jourg Walban, Swiss Foreign Ministry spokesman, said that Swiss authorities issued a new decision that bans Al-Arifi from entering all EU states for five consecutive years.

Al-Arifi is known for his controversial statements and has a large following on Twitter and YouTube.

The decision denies Al-Arifi entry to 26 European countries included in the Schengen Agreement that allows a visa holder entry to an EU country. The Schengen also allows the visa holder to travel to other EU member countries without restrictions.

Al-Arifi was due to participate in the second annual meeting of the Swiss Islamic Council.

Last December, Switzerland issued the six-month ban.

Al-Arifi had planned to attend an Islamic conference, but had been barred from entering the country following accusations that he made anti-Semitic comments and offered advice on wife beating.

Al-Arifi reportedly has about 2.2 million followers on Twitter.

His statements on Twitter have sparked controversy, including a statement he reportedly made in December in which he accused the Middle East Broadcasting Center’s children’s channel, MBC3, of promoting “atheism and corruption.”

He also once stated that a daughter should not sit alone with her father because she might tempt him into lusting after her.