Imam retracts statement over fatwa on singing

AN IMAM, whose voice helped him become the first black Saudi to lead prayers at Mecca's Grand Mosque, has said he was wrong to speak against a fatwa prohibiting singing, in the latest spat between reformist and conservative clerics in the kingdom.

Adil Kalbani shocked conservative clerics in June by speaking in favour of singing, saying neither the Koran nor Prophet Mohammad's sayings prohibited it.

But, in remarks published by an Arab newspaper yesterday, Mr Kalbani said that he had discussed the fatwa with people including Islamic affairs minister Saleh bin Abdul-Aziz bin Mohammad al-Sheikh and had changed his mind.

"Most singing today … brings with it debauchery, obscenity and abomination.

"Even conservative singing authorised by some clerics can be described as drivel at the very least," he said.

Saudi Arabia has no night clubs and its rare concerts are given by male singers to an all-male audience.