Saudi Health Ministry to certify spiritual healers

Jeddah, (IINA) - Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health has announced that it will certify ruqyah (spiritual) healers to work with patients that are mentally ill, in accordance with new laws passed recently, Arab News reported Tuesday.
A source was quoted by a local publication as saying that the ministry would certify those allowed to perform ruqyah at certain medical facilities.
A request for ruqyah treatment would have to be sent to the ministry’s religious guidance and awareness department for approval, which would include a decision on the time, date and venue for the intervention.
In addition, a member of the religious guidance team at the facility must accompany the ruqyah healer and supervise the procedures to make sure they are in accordance with the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah.
Moreover, a member of the patient’s treatment team must be present, and the ruqyah must be administered while ensuring the privacy and safety of the patient and healer.
The source stated that the ministry would not allow the ruqyah healer to intervene in the treatment plan for the patient or question prescribed medications.
If a ruqyah healer contravenes the Qur’an and Sunnah, or the treatment plan for a patient, the religious guidance member would end the session and refer the patient and his family to seek treatment by another certified healer, the source said.
AG/IINA

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