In an interview with Saudi Gazette, Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Ghaith, head of the Saudi religious police (formally, the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice) defends the role of the organization in Saudi Arabia. Speaking in reference to a case alleging that Commission members illegally pursued a couple who died in a car crash, he says that the media should not leap to conclusions, that the Commission takes its role seriously and in perspective, and that it punishes its own transgressors. He notes that the purpose of the Commission is reformative, not punitive, though he doesn’t seem to realize that in an honor-based society (his own), public embarrassment is already a punishment.

‘Don’t jump to conclusions’ – says Commission
Saleh Al-Zubyani

JEDDAH – In interview with Okaz, the Arabic language daily, Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Ghaith, General President of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice has reiterated that the Commission strictly prohibits its staffers from chasing suspects and all 5,000 of its staff members have signed circulars not engage themselves in chases.

Speaking by phone, Sheikh Al-Ghaith said, “By all standards and measures pursuit is forbidden. All scientific studies and research show that the harm often resulting from chases are outweighs any advantage, given that loss of life is often the result.”

He said the staffers implicated in the recent deaths of the young man and woman involved in a fatal crash while feeling they were being chased by Commission staffers are being detained. Commission staffers are not immune to prosecution and are not above the law. “They are the same as other civil servants,” he said.

He said nothing differentiates the Commission from other state agencies. Rules and regulations define its tasks and activities.

He also explained that there is a plan to link the commission’s staffers to their superiors through wireless devices that will enable them to receive in case of an emergency.

Al-Ghaith stressed the importance of dealing with all cases in a dignified manner. “In the case of suspects fleeing staff members, their plate numbers should be taken down and reported to the appropriate authorities.”

As for the existence of hard-line staffers who distort the Commission’s image, he said, “If it is proven that there are staffers like this, they will be questioned.

Furthermore, they will be reassigned from the field to desk jobs. We don’t turn our eyes away from errant staffers.”
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