Key Saudi daily sacks editor over 'land zakat'

Saudi Arabia’s main economic Arabic language daily has sacked a senior national editor after running a story saying the government is planning to introduce zakat (Islamic) tax on land property.

'Aleqtisadia', one of the largest business dailies in the region, fired Abdullah Alqarni after the government denied the report that it intends to impose zakat on commercial land property.

“Alqarni’s sacking came after the ministry of justice denied such a plan and said no official had spoken to that editor,” the online Arabic language 'Sdq' newspaper said, citing a statement by 'Aleqtisadia'.

It quoted the statement as adding:”Aleqtisadia decided to sack the editor to protect its credibility.”

Saudis already pay monthly zakat from their salaries but there is no such tax on property as this could threaten measures by the world’s oil superpower to attract foreign capital.

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