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King Salman has frequently been lauded by columnists in local
media, in traditional deference to authority, since the
81-year-old assumed office in 2015.
But Ramadan al-Anzi's column in al-Jazirah newspaper describing
King Salman as "Haleem", or forbearing, and "Shadeed al-Eqab",
strict in punishment - both terms associated in Islam with God -
appeared to have gone too far.
Attributing divine qualities or giving individuals any of the 99
names of God is frowned upon in the kingdom, which follows the
strict Sunni Muslim Wahhabi school of Islam.
The newspaper published an apology late on Saturday.
"The phrases and tribute which the author bestowed on the
personality of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, are not
acceptable, despite what God had bestowed upon him, may God
protect him, of the honor of serving the two holy mosques,
Islam, the homeland and the people," al-Jazirah wrote.
Saudi media reported that the king had ordered that action be
taken against the newspaper, but no specifics were given.
In a message to Information Minister Awwad bin Saleh Alawwad,
the king wrote that he was "astonished by some of the phrases
used in the column", according to Okaz newspaper.
Online newspaper, sabq, quoted the king as saying in his written
complaint: "This is an issue that has distressed us, we don't
accept it and don't approve of it, recognizing its dangers and
the danger of being lenient towards it."
(Reporting by Sami Aboudi; Editing by Louise Ireland)
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