Egypt

Yemeni minister calls on Al-Azhar to criminalize qat

Yemen’s minister of religious endowments on Wednesday called on Al-Azhar to issue a religious edict that bans using the narcotic qat plant.

“Yemeni society suffers several problems, one of which is the prevalence of qat usage, which greatly harms society,” Hamoud al-Hattar said during his meeting with Al-Azhar Grand Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayyeb in Cairo.

Hattar called on the Islamic Research Academy to consider the issue and release a verdict that clarifies the Islamic stance on qat.  

Tayyeb asked Hattar to send more information to the academy so it could study the issue.  

Chewing qat leaves, which have a stimulant effect, is a widespread practice in Yemen.
          
Edited translation from MENA

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