Children’s channel argues with Saudi preacher over tweet prohibiting children from tuning in

ISTANBUL

REUTERS photo

The Middle East Broadcasting Center's children’s entertainment channel, MBC3 has harshly responded to accusations from Saudi preacher Sheikh Mohammad al-Arifi regarding the airing of  what he called “atheism and corruption related content” on the channel, Al Arabiya has reported.

MBC3 released a statement criticizing the mentality of Arifi. “He should be at the psychiatric hospital to treat [his] abnormal thinking instead of issuing fatwas,” the statement said.

“It is prohibited to enable your child to watch MBC3 Children. Its scenes are full of ideas of atheism and corruption. Remove it now; your child is in your care,” al-Arifi tweeted on his Twitter account, stirring debate.

MBC3 asserted that the preacher is known for his controversial statements, which are “tendentious and far from reality.”

Al-Arifi had previously sparked controversy by saying a daughter should not sit alone with her father because she might tempt him into lusting after her.

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