Former Grand Mosque Imam of Mecca Adil al-Kalbani has caused outrage after appearing in a promotional video clip for a combat game event as part of the Riyadh Season 2021.
Adil al-Kalbani has been widely criticized for his appearance in a video posted to Twitter on Thursday by Saudi Arabia’s Entertainment Authority chief, Turki Al Sheikh, promoting the “adventurous” ‘Combat Field’ event, which will run until 16 March next year.
The 62-year-old appeared dressed in military uniform and leading a battle in the video, which has gathered over 5 million views in less than 24 hours.
Many social media users slammed the cleric’s participation in the video, calling him a “clown” and accusing him of supporting “corruption”.
“I am not against entertainment… but I am against randomness, stupidity and the lack of separation between religion and public life,” one twitter user said.
One Twitter user said that “if he had any good in him”, he would still be the imam today.