The Saudi Religious Police are to get some training from Saudi diplomats, this Gulf News piece reports. While the religious police earn enmity from Saudis for their unenlightened approach toward Islamic practice, they bring opprobrium on the entire country when they go after expats who report what they consider abusive conduct. Of course, those reports get picked up quickly by the media.
And then there’s the problem with those who hold diplomatic immunity. According to the article, all of these are to be addressed in a series of seminars to be held by the Institute for Diplomatic Studies, similar in mission to the American Foreign Service Institute (FSI).
Religious police to learn diplomatic skills
Mariam Al HakeemRiyadh: Members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice will be trained on how to deal with diplomats and foreign non-Muslims in Saudi Arabia.
The training course will be organised by the Riyadh-based Institute of Diplomatic Studies, an affiliate to the Foreign Ministry, officials said on Thursday.
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January:26:2008 - 14:54
Sounds like they just want them to treat foreign guests from western countries well so they can reduce bad press. Everyone knows the right solution here, but continue to avoid it. This looks like another application of lipstick to dress up the !@#.
January:26:2008 - 14:54
This has the makings of a sitcom written all over. I can just see the curriculum “I will not beat up foreigners. If I have the urge to beat the crap out of someone, I will make sure to pick on my fellow countrymen….”
The possibilities are endless.
January:26:2008 - 14:54
Endless, funny, and a jailable offense, I’m sure…