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| native_name_lang = [[Arabic]]
| native_name_lang = [[Arabic]]
| birth_name = <!-- only use if different from name above -->
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| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1970|7|15}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1970|7|15}}
| birth_place = [[Riyadh]], [[Saudi Arabia]]
| birth_place = [[Riyadh]], [[Saudi Arabia]]
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| nationality = Saudi Arabian<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/world/2014/06/25/Controversial-cleric-al-Arifi-banned-from-UK-|title = Britain bans controversial Saudi cleric al-Arifi|date = 25 June 2014}}</ref>
| nationality = Saudi Arabian<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/world/2014/06/25/Controversial-cleric-al-Arifi-banned-from-UK-|title = Britain bans controversial Saudi cleric al-Arifi|date = 25 June 2014}}</ref>
| other_names =
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| education = BA, MA & Ph.D. in Islamic Theology (with Honors)
| education =
| alma_mater =
| alma_mater =
| occupation = Muslim Scholar & Preacher
| occupation = scholar
| years_active = 1990-Present
| years_active = 1990-present
| era =
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| employer =
| employer =
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| website = {{URL|arefe.ws}}
| website = {{URL|arefe.com}}
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}}
}}
'''Muhammad bin Abdul-Rahman al-Arifi''' ({{lang-ar|محمد بن عبد الرحمن العريفي}}, born 15 July 1970) is a Saudi Arabian author and [[Da'i|Da’i]]. He is a graduate of [[Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University]], member of the [[Muslim World League]] and the [[Association of Muslim Scholars]]<u>,</u> and a professor at [[King Saud University]].
'''Muhammad bin Abdul-Rahman al-Arifi''' ({{lang-ar|محمد بن عبد الرحمن العريفي}}, born 15 July 1970) is a Saudi Arabian author and [[Da'i|Da’i]]. He is a graduate of [[King Saud University]], and member of the [[Muslim World League]] and the [[Association of Muslim Scholars]].<ref name="IndepHighlights">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/sunni-vs-shia-in-gerrards-cross-new-mosque-highlights-growing-tensions-among-british-muslims-8671969.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220515/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/sunni-vs-shia-in-gerrards-cross-new-mosque-highlights-growing-tensions-among-british-muslims-8671969.html |archive-date=15 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Sunni vs Shia... in Gerrard's Cross: New mosque highlights growing tensions among British Muslims|last=Milmo|first=Cahal|date=24 June 2013|work=The Independent|accessdate=25 June 2013}}</ref><ref>[https://www.facebook.com/MArefeEng/info/?tab=page_info Official verified English page, Facebook, 2016].</ref>


== Early life and education ==
== Social media popularity ==
⚫
Al-Arefe has over 20 million followers on [[Twitter]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Yahya |first=Nasidi Adamu |date=19 July 2016 |title=Yadda Malamai ke wa'azi a shafukan zumunta |url=http://www.bbc.com/hausa/news/2016/07/160718_social_media_religious_propagation |newspaper=ABC Hausa }}</ref> As of 6 May 2019, Al-Arefe had over 24 million likes on Facebook,<ref>https://www.facebook.com/3refe/ {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}}</ref> which places his account in the top 100 worldwide, and #10 in the [[Arab world]] and in the Middle East.<ref>[http://twitaholic.com/ Top Twitter User Rankings] retrieved 3 June 2014</ref> BBC claims that Al-Arefe is regarded as a scholar "Brad Pitt". Al-Arefe announced his fatwa for "jihad" against Syrian to his jihadist followers on social media.<ref>{{cite news |date=3 March 2016 |title=Meet Saudi Arabia's stars of social media |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-35609249 |newspaper=BBC Trending }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2 March 2016 |title=Saudis on Social: Faith, Freedom and Fun |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-35664637 |newspaper=BBC Trending }}</ref>
He was born in 1970 and raised in [[Dammam]], where he completed his primary and secondary education. His family belongs to the Arabian Peninsula tribe of [[Bani Khalid (tribe)|Bani Khalid]], whose origins trace back to the [[Muhammad|Prophet Muhammad]]'s companion [[Khalid ibn al-Walid|Khalid bin Al-Walid]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=لقاء مع فضيلة الشيخ / محمد العريفي |url=http://www.saaid.net/Warathah/arefe/21.htm |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=www.saaid.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=العريفي وش يرجع – المحيط |url=https://www.almuheet.net/post/199417 |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=www.almuheet.net |language=ar}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=محمد العريفي |url=https://www.marefa.org/%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%81%D9%8A |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=المعرفة |language=ar}}</ref> Al-Arefe mastered the art of public speaking at a young age and began public speaking at the age of 15.<ref>{{Cite web |title=لقاء مع فضيلة الشيخ / محمد العريفي |url=http://www.saaid.net/Warathah/arefe/21.htm |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=www.saaid.net}}</ref> He obtained his Bachelor's degree from [[Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University]], specializing in Islamic Theology.<ref>{{Cite web |title=محمد العريفي |url=https://www.marefa.org/%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%81%D9%8A |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=المعرفة |language=ar}}</ref> He completed his Master's degree and Ph.D. from [[Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University]] as well, graduating with [[First-class honours|First-Class Honors]] in 2001.<ref>{{Cite web |title=محمد العريفي |url=https://www.marefa.org/%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%81%D9%8A |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=المعرفة |language=ar}}</ref>


Al-Arefe engaged in a diatribe against Shias, referred to them as "evil", used the label of "infidel" against Shia cleric [[Ayatollah Sistani]] and boasted that there are no mausoleums, public statues, Christian crosses in Saudi Arabia.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.memri.org/tv/saudi-cleric-muhammad-al-arifi-vilifies-shiites-calling-iraqi-ayatollah-sistani-infidel |title=Saudi Cleric Muhammad Al-Arifi Vilifies Shiites, Calling Iraqi Ayatollah Sistani "an Infidel" |date=10 December 2009 |website=MEMRI }}</ref> Al-Arefe described Jews as cowardly in battle and claimed that their tanks had urine and feces in them since they wouldn't get out of them.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.memri.org/tv/saudi-cleric-muhammad-al-arifi-jewish-soldiers-would-defecate-and-urinate-their-tanks-because |title=Saudi Cleric Muhammad Al-Arifi: Jewish Soldiers Would Defecate and Urinate in Their Tanks Because They Were Too Scared to Leave Them |date=5 February 2012 |website=MEMRI }}</ref> He also claimed they used bags or diapers in the tank.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.memri.org/tv/saudi-cleric-muhammad-al-arifi-israeli-soldiers-too-scared-leave-their-tanks-urinate-or-defecate |title=Saudi Cleric Muhammad Al-Arifi: Israeli Soldiers Too Scared to Leave Their Tanks to Urinate or Defecate; Palestine Will Be Liberated Through Force, Not Negotiations |date=9 April 2010 |website=MEMRI }}</ref> He described Jews as too cowardly to fight and said they were going to hide around the Gharqad trees they were allegedly planting.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.memri.org/tv/saudi-cleric-muhammad-al-arifi-jews-plant-gharqad-trees-hide-behind-when-muslims-come-kill-them |title=Saudi Cleric Muhammad Al-Arifi: Jews Plant Gharqad Trees to Hide Behind When Muslims Come to Kill Them on Judgment Day |date=11 September 2008 |website=MEMRI }}</ref>
== Public life & social media ==
⚫
Al-Arefe has over 20 million followers on [[Twitter]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Yahya |first=Nasidi Adamu |date=19 July 2016 |title=Yadda Malamai ke wa'azi a shafukan zumunta |url=http://www.bbc.com/hausa/news/2016/07/160718_social_media_religious_propagation |newspaper=ABC Hausa }}</ref> As of 6 May 2019, Al-Arefe had over 24 million likes on Facebook,<ref>https://www.facebook.com/3refe/ {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}}</ref> which places his account in the top 100 worldwide, and #10 in the [[Arab world]] and in the Middle East.<ref>[http://twitaholic.com/ Top Twitter User Rankings] retrieved 3 June 2014</ref> BBC dubs Al-Arefe as the "Bradd Pitt" of Islamic clerics and preachers.<ref>{{cite news |date=3 March 2016 |title=Meet Saudi Arabia's stars of social media |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-35609249 |newspaper=BBC Trending }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2 March 2016 |title=Saudis on Social: Faith, Freedom and Fun |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-35664637 |newspaper=BBC Trending }}</ref>


Al-Arefe supported the [[Muslim Brotherhood]] in Egypt.<ref>{{Citation|title=Shaykh al Fawzān Warns Against The Books of Sayyid Quṭb {{!}} Shaykh Ṣāliḥ al Fawzān|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOvKL2-BNIw|language=en|access-date=2021-05-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.memri.org/reports/saudi-authorities-irate-over-communiqu%c3%a9-condemning-ouster-former-egyptian-president-mursi |title= Saudi Authorities Irate Over Communiqué Condemning Ouster Of Former Egyptian President Mursi |last=Admon |first=Y. |date=8 October 2013 |website=MEMRI }}</ref> Al-Arefe was lauded by Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood President Mursi and al-Arefe and [[Salman al-Ouda]] were named as Muslim Brotherhood sympathizers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.memri.org/reports/saudi-prince-about-kingdoms-muslim-brotherhood-movement-they-are-khawarij-age |title= Saudi Prince About Kingdom's Muslim Brotherhood Movement: They Are The Khawarij Of This Age |date=28 August 2013 |website=MEMRI }}</ref> He is a known associate of them.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.memri.org/espanol/controversia-en-el-mundo-arabe-sobre-el-visitar-lugares-cristianos-y-musulmanes-en-israel/7720 |title=Controversia en el mundo árabe sobre el visitar lugares cristianos y musulmanes en Israel |date=23 May 2014 |website=MEMRI |accessdate=25 January 2017 }}</ref>
One of Al-Arefe's famous speeches was given at the historical [[Amr ibn al-As Mosque]] in Egypt. The speech was attended by more than 1 million people and was broadcasted live on dozens of channels. The speech called for love and harmony between people.<ref>{{Citation |title=خطبة الشيخ محمد العريفي من مسجد عمرو بن العاص كاملة |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCh2pNanjO4 |language=en |access-date=2022-11-06}}</ref>


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.<ref>{{cite news |date=19 August 2013 |title=تتصفح الآن: الكلباني : أنا عضو في اتحاد علماء المسلمين ولست إخوانياً .. والعريفي ليس إخوانياً |url=http://www.an7a.com/115868/ |newspaper=صحيفة أنحاء الإلكترونية |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214102112/http://www.an7a.com/115868/ |archive-date=14 February 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
== Activism ==
Muhammad al-Arifi does not claim affiliation to a political party.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-05-21 |title=العريفى لـ"أنصار داعش": احذروا من تكفير المسلمين واستباحة الدماء والأموال |url=https://www.youm7.com/story/2015/5/21/العريفى-لـ-أنصار-داعش-احذروا-من-تكفير-المسلمين-واستباحة-الدماء/2191015 |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=اليوم السابع |language=ar}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=حقيقة انتماء العريفي لجماعة .... !!!! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2LITQDgWsE |language=en |access-date=2022-11-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=«العريفي»: لا أنتمي لـ«الإخوان».. وخادم الحرمين وليّ أمري وليس مرسي {{!}} المصري اليوم |url=https://www.almasryalyoum.com/news/details/475857 |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=www.almasryalyoum.com |language=ar}}</ref> His moderate and anti-extremist approach to [[Islam]] has garnered favor among the youth of [[Saudis|Saudia Arabian society]] and abroad.<ref>{{Citation |title=زيارة {{!}} الشيخ محمد العريفي {{!}} جمعية أكناف |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tF2K3h1Uck |language=en |access-date=2022-11-06}}</ref> His humanitarian efforts include raising money to support orphanages and orphans. Al-Arefe has also contributed to supporting children with special needs and autism, supporting them financially and through programs dedicated to their needs.<ref>{{Citation |title=زيارة الشيخ د /محمد العريفي لمركز حياتي للتغذيه العلاجيه الطبيه للتوحد والشلل الدماغي أطفال |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhY8m0at2Mw |language=en |access-date=2022-11-06}}</ref>


A video Al-Arefe was posted by Ibrahim al-Musalem on a tweet about the [[Charlie Hebdo shooting]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.memri.org/reports/reactions-twitter-attack-charlie-hebdo-%E2%80%93-including-hashtags-paris-burning-vengeance |title= Reactions On Twitter To Attack On 'Charlie Hebdo' – Including Hashtags #Paris Is Burning, #Vengeance For [Insulting] Allah's Messenger, #Lone Wolves Are Terrorizing France |date=9 January 2015 |website=MEMRI }}</ref>
His work with the youth includes marital education and building a family life, and urges businessmen to support them to get married.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-01-04 |title=لقاء الشيخ محمد العريفي مع 1200 عريس في جدة ،، ضع بصمتك - video Dailymotion |url=https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xnfxjc |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=Dailymotion |language=en}}</ref> In addition, Al-Arefe has engaged in a number of activities, programs, and visits throughout many countries in order to spread a balanced understanding of Islam, combat extremist ideas, address the concerns of the youth, and guiding them to learn from sources approved by the authorities in their countries.<ref>{{Citation |title=زيارة الشيخ محمد العريفي لليمن |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdvGjJnDKso |language=en |access-date=2022-11-06}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=ملخص زيارة الدكتور محمد العريفي لمركز الإمام البخاري - المفرق - الأردن |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cilHIiBEONU |language=en |access-date=2022-11-06}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=د العريفي زيارة الشيخ محمد الي تونس الخضراء الحبيبة |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xux7H-c8YjE |language=en |access-date=2022-11-06}}</ref>


Holiday celebrations and greetings to Christians by Muslims was banned by Al-Arefe.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.memri.org/espanol/periodista-jordana-el-odio-hacia-los-cristianos-es-el-primer-paso-en-el-camino-hacia-el-terrorismo/9842 |title=Periodista jordana: El odio hacia los cristianos es el primer paso en el camino hacia el terrorismo |date=24 December 2015 |website=MEMRI }}</ref> He strictly explicitly banned religious greetings to non-Muslims.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.memri.org/reports/president-sisi-egyptian-grand-mufti-offering-christmas-greetings-our-christian-brothers-part |title= President Sisi, Egyptian Grand Mufti: Offering Christmas Greetings To Our Christian Brothers Is Part Of Our Religion |date=24 December 2015 |website=MEMRI }}</ref> Al-Arefe forbade the usage of [[Christmas trees]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/MohamadAlarefe/status/811265656511459328 |last=العريفي |first=محمد |date=20 December 2016 |website=Twitter }}</ref>
Al-Arefe gained national fame for defending women's rights and calling for their respect, empowerment, including granting them opportunities in the workplace.<ref>{{Citation |title=المرأة لا يكرمها إلا كريم ولا يهينها إلا لئيم {{!}} د. محمد العريفي |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVVXXxndQWQ |language=en |access-date=2022-11-06}}</ref> He also was a prominent supporter for allowing women to drive in Saudi Arabia.<ref>{{Citation |title=حقوق المرأة في الإسلام الشيخ محمد العريفي YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO3WLClp56g |language=en |access-date=2022-11-06}}</ref>


He said that Syria jihad is incumbent and did apologia for [[al-Nusra]], visiting the [[Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque]] in Qatar.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/qatar/11125897/The-Club-Med-for-terrorists.html|title=The 'Club Med for terrorists' |newspaper=The Telegraph|date=27 September 2014|last=Gilligan|first=Andrew}}</ref>
Al-Arefe has been giving Friday sermons at Al Bawardi Mosque in Riyadh since 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=محمد العريفي |url=https://www.marefa.org/%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%81%D9%8A |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=المعرفة |language=ar}}</ref> He has also been a part of the faculty of [[King Saud University]] since 1993.


In July 2015, Al-Arafe wrote a critique<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/3refe/posts/10153284714117839|title=🚫 الآباء والأبناء والمربين ووقفات مع... – الصفحة الرسمية للشيخ د. محمد العريفي . – Facebook|work=facebook.com|language=ar}}</ref> on Facebook of the Egyptian Ramadan TV series Jewish Quarter, complaining that it showed Jews in a positive light, when in reality Jews were terrible people. It was picked up by Arabic media.
== Publications ==
Al-Arefe has more than 30 printed books and other publications. Some of his publications include<ref>{{Cite web |title=محمد العريفي |url=https://www.marefa.org/%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%81%D9%8A |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=المعرفة |language=ar}}</ref>:


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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/mohamadalarefe/status/724662086308126720?lang=en |title=د. محمد #العريفي on Twitter |last=العريفي |first=محمد |date=25 April 2016 |website=Twitter |accessdate=25 January 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=25 April 2016 |title=أخبار 24 &#124; العريفي ينشر صورة له برفقة الأمير محمد بن سلمان بعد إعلان |url=http://akhbaar24.argaam.com/article/detail/277576 |newspaper=أخبار 24 }}</ref> The discussion was held on the same day as [[Saudi Vision 2030]] began.<ref>{{cite news |date=27 April 1438 |title= العريفي ينشر صورة له برفقة الأمير محمد بن سلمان بعد إعلان "رؤية السعودية" |url=http://saabag.com/news-action-show-id-14808.htm |newspaper=صحيفة سابق الإلكترونية }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=عيسى |first=عمر |date=25 April 2016 |title=العريفي" يشكر ولي ولي العهد السعودي لهذا السبب |url=http://www.cairoportal.com/story/542570/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D8%B4%D9%83%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D9%86-%D8%B3%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%84%D9%87%D8%B0%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%A8%D8%A8 |newspaper=بوابة القاهرة }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=25 April 2016 |title= العريفي يلتقي مع بن سلمان بعد ساعات من إعلان رؤية 2030 |url=http://alkhaleejonline.net/articles/1461609992083616200/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%82%D9%8A-%D9%85%D8%B9-%D8%A8%D9%86-%D8%B3%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AF-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A5%D8%B9%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B1%D8%A4%D9%8A%D8%A9-2030/ |newspaper=الخليج أونلاين |location=الرياض }}</ref> He asked God to bless Prince Mohammad and posted his thanks.<ref>{{cite news |first= <!--|date= 25 أبريل, 2016 , 22:11 م -->|title=العريفي ينشر صورة له برفقة محمد بن سلمان بعد إعلان "رؤية السعودية" |url=https://al-marsd.com/33645.html |newspaper=صحيفة المرصد }}</ref> al-Arefe met with Prince Mohamed bin Salman again and talked with him and posted the photo of them smiling together on Twitter.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/MohamadAlarefe/status/811510213199204352 |title=د. محمد #العريفي on Twitter |last=العريفي |first=محمد |date=21 December 2016 |website=Twitter |accessdate=25 January 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=22 December 2016 |title=الشيخ العريفي ينشر صورة جمعته بـ محمد بن سلمان.. ويكشف ما دار بينهما |url=http://mz-mz.net/686775/ |newspaper=مـزمـز }}</ref> They talked about the futures of the Islamic world and of the Kingdom (of Saudi Arabia).<ref>{{cite news |date=22 December 2016 |title=الشيخ "العريفي" ينشر صورة جمعته بـمحمد بن سلمان .. ويكشف ما دار بينهما |url=https://al-marsd.com/91951.html |newspaper=صحيفة المرصد |accessdate=25 January 2017}}</ref>
''The End of the World''


[[King Saud University]] employs Al-Arefe.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gulfinstitute.org/saudi-deputy-crown-prince-meets-obama-after-welcoming-an-isis-supporter/ |title=Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Meets Obama after Welcoming an ISIS Supporter |author=IGA Staff |date=17 June 2016 |website=The Institute for Gulf Affairs }}</ref>
''Enjoy Your Life''


Arifi on Twitter vowed for Russia and Assad to be defeated over the [[Aleppo offensive (November–December 2016)|Battle of Aleppo]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/MohamadAlarefe/status/808732352662925312 |last=العريفي |first=محمد |date=13 December 2016 |website=Twitter }}</ref>
''Travel Provisions''


Condolences over the death of the son of [[Salman al-Ouda]] and his wife were given on Twitter by Mohamad al-Arefe.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/MohamadAlarefe/status/824339078422429696 |last=العريفي |first=محمد |date=25 January 2017 |website=Twitter }}</ref>
''My Experience in a Quarter of a Century''


[[Abdul Razzaq al-Mahdi]], Nabil Al-Awadi, [[Tariq Abdelhaleem]], and [[Hani al-Sibai]] who are linked to Al-Qaeda, in addition to others like [[Adnan al-Aroor]], [[Abd Al-Aziz Al-Fawzan]], Mohamad al-Arefe, [[Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais]], [[Abdul-Aziz ibn Abdullah Al Shaykh]] and others were included on a death list by ISIS.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.memri.org/reports/isis-launches-campaign-calling-kill-prominent-islamic-clerics-such-yousuf-al-qaradawi-saudi |title= ISIS Launches Campaign Calling To Kill Prominent Islamic Clerics Such As Yousuf Al-Qaradawi, Saudi Mufti 'Abd Al-'Aziz Aal Al-Sheikh, Former Egyptian Chief Mufti 'Ali Gum'a |date=14 February 2017 |number=Special Dispatch No.6781 |website=MEMRI }}</ref>
''The Last World''

Al-Arefe's Twitter account was suspended in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.com/arabic/trending-46709762 |title= تساؤلات بعد إيقاف حساب الشيخ السعودي محمد العريفي على تويتر |date=29 December 2018 |website=BBC }}</ref> Since that time he was rarely seen in public.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://eldorar.com/node/149999 |title= بعد اختفاء طويل.. فيروس كورونا يُخرج الشيخ محمد العريفي إلى الملأ (فيديو) |date=24 March 2020 |website=El-Dorar }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elnashra.com/news/show/1483843/%D9%85%D8%AC%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%AF:-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B6%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D9%81%D8%B3%D9%8A-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%B4%D9%8A%D8%AE-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A1-%D9%88%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D8%AD%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7 |title= مجتهد: الوضع النفسي للشيخ العريفي سيء وصودرت حساباته على مواقع التواصل |date=14 February 2021 |website=El-Nashra }}</ref>

=== The 2013 Egyptian coup d'état ===
{{BLP unsourced section|date=April 2015}}
In July 2013, Al-Arefe was detained by the Saudi authorities for using YouTube to criticize the military coup d'état in Egypt, an ally of Saudi Arabia.<ref name=CSM>[http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2015/0602/Saudi-Arabia-presses-YouTube-imams-to-toe-the-line-on-Yemen Christian Science Monitor: "Saudi Arabia presses 'YouTube imams' to toe the line on Yemen – Popular Muslim clerics are using social media to stir dissent beyond the purview of government-controlled mosques and satellite TV stations. Saudi Arabia is sensitive to criticism of its war in Yemen" By Taylor Luck] 2 June 2015</ref> It was speculated{{by whom|date=April 2015}} that the arrest was in response to a complaint filed by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to its Saudi counterpart. The complaint claimed that Al-Arefe was intervening in Egyptian domestic affairs.{{verify-inline|date=April 2015}} Before his release, he signed a pledge not to interfere in Egyptian affairs and was released afterwards but placed under house arrest. He was also banned from traveling to [[Doha]], where he was scheduled to deliver a religious lecture there. The Saudi authorities never announced the reason behind Al-Arefe's arrest.

== Sanctions ==
In May 2013, Al-Arefe was banned from entering Switzerland for a period of 5 years, for holding extreme views, Switzerland said.<ref name=IndepHighlights/><ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=27 May 2013|title=Madhur temple undergoes massive renovation|url=https://www.arabnews.com/news/452987|newspaper=Arab News}}</ref>

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 Mohammad 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."<ref>{{cite news|title=Banned preacher under scrutiny over links to young Cardiff men fighting with Isis in Iraq and Syria|url=http://www.itv.com/news/2014-06-23/banned-preacher-under-scrutiny-over-links-to-young-cardiff-men-fighting-with-isis-in-iraq-and-syria/|date=23 June 2014|work=ITV|accessdate=26 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Father of Cardiff jihadists says his sons were radicalised in 'pop-up' schools|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jun/23/father-jihadists-sons-radicalised-cardiff-popup-schools|date=23 June 2014|work=Guardian|accessdate=26 December 2014 |first=Steven |last=Morris}}</ref>

In October 2014, he was jailed for 40 days for stating that the train linking [[Mecca]] and other holy sites was "one of the worst in the world".<ref name=CSM />

Denmark banned him from entering the country for two years in May 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/Words-and-concepts/US/Religious-workers/Religious-preachers-with-entry-ban/?anchor=7C5D2D143D284E4EB2829BA5F0F04837&callbackItem=8ADE78BB86084E60B9A89B35BDDCDDAE&callbackAnchor=8ADE78BB86084E60B9A89B35BDDCDDAE|title=Den nationale sanktionsliste - Religious preachers with entry ban|website=www.nyidanmark.dk|language=da|access-date=2019-02-14}}</ref><ref name="Reuters-20170502">{{cite web |last1=Jensen |first1=Teis |title=Denmark bans six 'hate preachers' from entering the country |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-denmark-security-religion/denmark-bans-six-hate-preachers-from-entering-the-country-idUKKBN17Y1N9 |publisher=[[Reuters]] |accessdate=13 April 2019 |date=2 May 2017}}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==

Revision as of 23:09, 6 November 2022

Muhammad al-Arifi
محمد العريفي
Born (1970-07-15) 15 July 1970 (age 54)
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
NationalitySaudi Arabian[1]
Occupationscholar
Years active1990-present
Websitearefe.com

Muhammad bin Abdul-Rahman al-Arifi (Template:Lang-ar, 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][3]

Social media popularity

Al-Arefe has over 20 million followers on Twitter.[4] As of 6 May 2019, Al-Arefe had over 24 million likes on Facebook,[5] which places his account in the top 100 worldwide, and #10 in the Arab world and in the Middle East.[6] BBC claims that Al-Arefe is regarded as a scholar "Brad Pitt". Al-Arefe announced his fatwa for "jihad" against Syrian to his jihadist followers on social media.[7][8]

Al-Arefe engaged in a diatribe against Shias, referred to them as "evil", used the label of "infidel" against Shia cleric Ayatollah Sistani and boasted that there are no mausoleums, public statues, Christian crosses in Saudi Arabia.[9] Al-Arefe described Jews as cowardly in battle and claimed that their tanks had urine and feces in them since they wouldn't get out of them.[10] He also claimed they used bags or diapers in the tank.[11] He described Jews as too cowardly to fight and said they were going to hide around the Gharqad trees they were allegedly planting.[12]

Al-Arefe supported the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.[13][14] Al-Arefe was lauded by Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood President Mursi and al-Arefe and Salman al-Ouda were named as Muslim Brotherhood sympathizers.[15] He is a known associate of them.[16]

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.[17]

A video Al-Arefe was posted by Ibrahim al-Musalem on a tweet about the Charlie Hebdo shooting.[18]

Holiday celebrations and greetings to Christians by Muslims was banned by Al-Arefe.[19] He strictly explicitly banned religious greetings to non-Muslims.[20] Al-Arefe forbade the usage of Christmas trees.[21]

He said that Syria jihad is incumbent and did apologia for al-Nusra, visiting the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque in Qatar.[22]

In July 2015, Al-Arafe wrote a critique[23] on Facebook of the Egyptian Ramadan TV series Jewish Quarter, complaining that it showed Jews in a positive light, when in reality Jews were terrible people. It was picked up by Arabic media.

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.[24][25] The discussion was held on the same day as Saudi Vision 2030 began.[26][27][28] He asked God to bless Prince Mohammad and posted his thanks.[29] al-Arefe met with Prince Mohamed bin Salman again and talked with him and posted the photo of them smiling together on Twitter.[30][31] They talked about the futures of the Islamic world and of the Kingdom (of Saudi Arabia).[32]

King Saud University employs Al-Arefe.[33]

Arifi on Twitter vowed for Russia and Assad to be defeated over the Battle of Aleppo.[34]

Condolences over the death of the son of Salman al-Ouda and his wife were given on Twitter by Mohamad al-Arefe.[35]

Abdul Razzaq al-Mahdi, Nabil Al-Awadi, Tariq Abdelhaleem, and Hani al-Sibai who are linked to Al-Qaeda, in addition to others like Adnan al-Aroor, Abd Al-Aziz Al-Fawzan, Mohamad al-Arefe, Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, Abdul-Aziz ibn Abdullah Al Shaykh and others were included on a death list by ISIS.[36]

Al-Arefe's Twitter account was suspended in 2018.[37] Since that time he was rarely seen in public.[38] 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.[39]

The 2013 Egyptian coup d'état

In July 2013, Al-Arefe was detained by the Saudi authorities for using YouTube to criticize the military coup d'état in Egypt, an ally of Saudi Arabia.[40] It was speculated[by whom?] that the arrest was in response to a complaint filed by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to its Saudi counterpart. The complaint claimed that Al-Arefe was intervening in Egyptian domestic affairs.[verification needed] Before his release, he signed a pledge not to interfere in Egyptian affairs and was released afterwards but placed under house arrest. He was also banned from traveling to Doha, where he was scheduled to deliver a religious lecture there. The Saudi authorities never announced the reason behind Al-Arefe's arrest.

Sanctions

In May 2013, Al-Arefe was banned from entering Switzerland for a period of 5 years, for holding extreme views, Switzerland said.[2][41]

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 Mohammad 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."[42][43]

In October 2014, he was jailed for 40 days for stating that the train linking Mecca and other holy sites was "one of the worst in the world".[40]

Denmark banned him from entering the country for two years in May 2017.[44][45]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Britain bans controversial Saudi cleric al-Arifi". 25 June 2014.
  2. ^ a b Milmo, Cahal (24 June 2013). "Sunni vs Shia... in Gerrard's Cross: New mosque highlights growing tensions among British Muslims". The Independent. Archived from the original on 15 May 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  3. ^ Official verified English page, Facebook, 2016.
  4. ^ Yahya, Nasidi Adamu (19 July 2016). "Yadda Malamai ke wa'azi a shafukan zumunta". ABC Hausa.
  5. ^ https://www.facebook.com/3refe/ [user-generated source]
  6. ^ Top Twitter User Rankings retrieved 3 June 2014
  7. ^ "Meet Saudi Arabia's stars of social media". BBC Trending. 3 March 2016.
  8. ^ "Saudis on Social: Faith, Freedom and Fun". BBC Trending. 2 March 2016.
  9. ^ "Saudi Cleric Muhammad Al-Arifi Vilifies Shiites, Calling Iraqi Ayatollah Sistani "an Infidel"". MEMRI. 10 December 2009.
  10. ^ "Saudi Cleric Muhammad Al-Arifi: Jewish Soldiers Would Defecate and Urinate in Their Tanks Because They Were Too Scared to Leave Them". MEMRI. 5 February 2012.
  11. ^ "Saudi Cleric Muhammad Al-Arifi: Israeli Soldiers Too Scared to Leave Their Tanks to Urinate or Defecate; Palestine Will Be Liberated Through Force, Not Negotiations". MEMRI. 9 April 2010.
  12. ^ "Saudi Cleric Muhammad Al-Arifi: Jews Plant Gharqad Trees to Hide Behind When Muslims Come to Kill Them on Judgment Day". MEMRI. 11 September 2008.
  13. ^ Shaykh al Fawzān Warns Against The Books of Sayyid Quṭb | Shaykh Ṣāliḥ al Fawzān, retrieved 9 May 2021
  14. ^ Admon, Y. (8 October 2013). "Saudi Authorities Irate Over Communiqué Condemning Ouster Of Former Egyptian President Mursi". MEMRI.
  15. ^ "Saudi Prince About Kingdom's Muslim Brotherhood Movement: They Are The Khawarij Of This Age". MEMRI. 28 August 2013.
  16. ^ "Controversia en el mundo árabe sobre el visitar lugares cristianos y musulmanes en Israel". MEMRI. 23 May 2014. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  17. ^ "تتصفح الآن: الكلباني : أنا عضو في اتحاد علماء المسلمين ولست إخوانياً .. والعريفي ليس إخوانياً". صحيفة أنحاء الإلكترونية. 19 August 2013. Archived from the original on 14 February 2017.
  18. ^ "Reactions On Twitter To Attack On 'Charlie Hebdo' – Including Hashtags #Paris Is Burning, #Vengeance For [Insulting] Allah's Messenger, #Lone Wolves Are Terrorizing France". MEMRI. 9 January 2015.
  19. ^ "Periodista jordana: El odio hacia los cristianos es el primer paso en el camino hacia el terrorismo". MEMRI. 24 December 2015.
  20. ^ "President Sisi, Egyptian Grand Mufti: Offering Christmas Greetings To Our Christian Brothers Is Part Of Our Religion". MEMRI. 24 December 2015.
  21. ^ العريفي, محمد (20 December 2016). Twitter https://twitter.com/MohamadAlarefe/status/811265656511459328. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  22. ^ Gilligan, Andrew (27 September 2014). "The 'Club Med for terrorists'". The Telegraph.
  23. ^ "🚫 الآباء والأبناء والمربين ووقفات مع... – الصفحة الرسمية للشيخ د. محمد العريفي . – Facebook". facebook.com (in Arabic).
  24. ^ العريفي, محمد (25 April 2016). "د. محمد #العريفي on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  25. ^ "أخبار 24 | العريفي ينشر صورة له برفقة الأمير محمد بن سلمان بعد إعلان". أخبار 24. 25 April 2016.
  26. ^ "العريفي ينشر صورة له برفقة الأمير محمد بن سلمان بعد إعلان "رؤية السعودية"". صحيفة سابق الإلكترونية. 27 April 1438.
  27. ^ عيسى, عمر (25 April 2016). "العريفي" يشكر ولي ولي العهد السعودي لهذا السبب". بوابة القاهرة.
  28. ^ "العريفي يلتقي مع بن سلمان بعد ساعات من إعلان رؤية 2030". الخليج أونلاين. الرياض. 25 April 2016.
  29. ^ "العريفي ينشر صورة له برفقة محمد بن سلمان بعد إعلان "رؤية السعودية"". صحيفة المرصد.
  30. ^ العريفي, محمد (21 December 2016). "د. محمد #العريفي on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  31. ^ "الشيخ العريفي ينشر صورة جمعته بـ محمد بن سلمان.. ويكشف ما دار بينهما". مـزمـز. 22 December 2016.
  32. ^ "الشيخ "العريفي" ينشر صورة جمعته بـمحمد بن سلمان .. ويكشف ما دار بينهما". صحيفة المرصد. 22 December 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  33. ^ IGA Staff (17 June 2016). "Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Meets Obama after Welcoming an ISIS Supporter". The Institute for Gulf Affairs.
  34. ^ العريفي, محمد (13 December 2016). Twitter https://twitter.com/MohamadAlarefe/status/808732352662925312. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  35. ^ العريفي, محمد (25 January 2017). Twitter https://twitter.com/MohamadAlarefe/status/824339078422429696. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  36. ^ "ISIS Launches Campaign Calling To Kill Prominent Islamic Clerics Such As Yousuf Al-Qaradawi, Saudi Mufti 'Abd Al-'Aziz Aal Al-Sheikh, Former Egyptian Chief Mufti 'Ali Gum'a". MEMRI. 14 February 2017.
  37. ^ "تساؤلات بعد إيقاف حساب الشيخ السعودي محمد العريفي على تويتر". BBC. 29 December 2018.
  38. ^ "بعد اختفاء طويل.. فيروس كورونا يُخرج الشيخ محمد العريفي إلى الملأ (فيديو)". El-Dorar. 24 March 2020.
  39. ^ "مجتهد: الوضع النفسي للشيخ العريفي سيء وصودرت حساباته على مواقع التواصل". El-Nashra. 14 February 2021.
  40. ^ a b Christian Science Monitor: "Saudi Arabia presses 'YouTube imams' to toe the line on Yemen – Popular Muslim clerics are using social media to stir dissent beyond the purview of government-controlled mosques and satellite TV stations. Saudi Arabia is sensitive to criticism of its war in Yemen" By Taylor Luck 2 June 2015
  41. ^ "Madhur temple undergoes massive renovation". Arab News. 27 May 2013.
  42. ^ "Banned preacher under scrutiny over links to young Cardiff men fighting with Isis in Iraq and Syria". ITV. 23 June 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  43. ^ Morris, Steven (23 June 2014). "Father of Cardiff jihadists says his sons were radicalised in 'pop-up' schools". Guardian. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  44. ^ "Den nationale sanktionsliste - Religious preachers with entry ban". www.nyidanmark.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  45. ^ Jensen, Teis (2 May 2017). "Denmark bans six 'hate preachers' from entering the country". Reuters. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
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