Mohammed al-Arefe

During the Syrian war, a purported "sexual jihad" fatwa was widely attributed to al-Arefe in the media and on social networks. He denied issuing it, and subsequent fact-checking did not establish the existence of an authentic text or fatwa corresponding to that attribution.

Attribution

Personally implicated

Several European states successively prevented al-Arefe from entering their territory or placed him on lists of banned preachers. Switzerland barred entry in 2013; the United Kingdom refused him access in 2014; Denmark listed him in 2017 among preachers considered likely to spread hatred or anti-democratic ideas.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

A video clip of al-Arefe explaining the circumstances in which a husband could hit his wife sparked fierce controversy in 2016. Critics accused him of normalising domestic violence and providing a religious justification for violence against women.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

Not applicable

Attribution

Personally implicated

Al-Arefe was detained in 2014 after posting criticism targeting, among other things, the holy sites train and the management of services during Hajj. Media reported that he had described the train in extremely negative terms. He was released in December 2014 after several weeks in detention.

Attribution

Personally implicated

In 2013, amid the Syrian war, al-Arefe publicly called for jihad against Bashar al-Assad's regime and support for Sunni fighters. His positions were criticised for potentially encouraging young people to travel to fight and for the sectarian nature of the rhetoric surrounding the war.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

Not applicable

Attribution

Personally implicated

In a 2010 sermon, Mohammed al-Arefe strongly attacked Shia Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, using derogatory religious descriptions. His remarks prompted strong reactions in Iraq and Shia communities and were condemned as a form of sectarian incitement.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

Not applicable

Attribution

Personally implicated