Acts of Omission and Commission

I do not remember having as bad a morning start as today (Feb. 5) after reading the report ("Coffee With Colleague Lands Woman in Trouble") about the ordeal of a Saudi businesswoman at the hands of the members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice.

Time and again I have read about the high-handedness of these people, roughing up men and women alike and even committing such crimes as murder and getting away very easily. I also often wonder why the members of the commission are so powerful that they are the police, the prosecutor, the jury, the judge and the jailer - all together. As far as I know, nowhere in the world does such a "special class of people" with several caps on their heads exist. And, now the funniest part, one more feather is added to their cap - that is, they are also "the government", as stated by one commission member to Yara.

In my opinion, this commission and its members are becoming an increasing liability to both the Saudi society and government. They are also bringing shame to Saudi Arabia and its people. The irony is that this ugly drama happened at a time when a UN team responsible for human rights for women was on a fact-finding mission to Saudi Arabia. Such naive acts from equally naive men from this department will only provide ample opportunities to these international organizations to bad-mouth Saudi Arabia.

In addition, over the years as reported in the press, this commission has lost its efficacy and whatever respect it once had among people here. And, I think if an independent referendum or poll were conducted, a majority of the people (Saudis and expats alike) would demand that this department be either reformed by a "major surgical operation" or disbanded altogether.

Faiz Al-Najdi, Riyadh published 11 February 2008

Acts of Omission and Commission [2]

The commission did the right thing. This woman traveled alone from Jeddah to Riyadh to discuss business with a man who was not related to her and was seen sitting with him in a coffee shop. This conduct is against the teachings of Islam. Even if a woman wants to go to Makkah or Madinah, she should be accompanied by a mahram.

Mohamed A.Al-Amoudi, Jeddah published 11 February 2008

Acts of Omission and Commission [3]

As for the ordeal Yara went through, is it allowed to take a woman by force, by someone who is not her relative, in a taxi where the driver is not related to the woman, into a GMC whose driver is not related to her, along with two or three other men not related to her? And deny her access to her mahram? Why do these men who are supposedly upholding moral virtues act this way? Extracting a fabricated confession - is that a virtue or a vice?

Maryam Neyazi, Jeddah published 11 February 2008

Acts of Omission and Commission [4]

In Saudi Arabia, the state of "khulwa" is highly restricted by the law of the land. No matter how innocent the intention may be, it is clear that these "business partners" have broken the law.

I just wish Arab News would be more objective in publishing stories. The way this report is written seems to be yet another attempt to discredit an institution that is tasked by the government with fighting moral corruption in Saudi society. These male-female "business partners" evidently broke the rules and, just like everyone else, must suffer the consequences.

Abdulrahman Guerrero, Jeddah published 11 February 2008

Acts of Omission and Commission [5]

My huge sympathies to the lady concerned. I don't know why this group of individuals should be allowed to get away with what they do. They are repeatedly breaking the laws they use to justify arrests i.e. excessive use of force, harassing women and, ironically in this incident, again being alone with a woman whom they are not related to. It appears to me they commit as many "vices" as they are supposed to prevent. The fact that probably 75 percent of Saudi women at some point during the week are left alone with a driver from outside their family circle makes the whole thing such utter nonsense. Is it our contention that Muslim morals are fundamentally so weak they need constant policing? Should we not allow the individual to choose a righteous path, guided by his prayer and the laws of the land, and the fear of God? We should not forget that all over the world Muslims follow their faith without any policing.

David Aldridge, Riyadh published 11 February 2008

Acts of Omission and Commission [6]

I hope Arab News won't drop the ball and forget the incident. You should highlight the issues again and again. I am sure those in our government do not condone the action taken by some members of the commission.

Aziz Bander, Dammam published 11 February 2008

Acts of Omission and Commission [7]

The Prophet (PBUH) said, "A woman should not travel one day's journey without a mahram" (narrated by Bukhari in his Sahih). Another narration says: "A woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day should not travel a day's journey without a mahram."

Second, the Prophet said, "When a man and woman are alone in a room the third one is the Shaitan" (narrated by Bukhari). The Qur'an says: "Tell the believing woman that she should lower her gaze and guard her modesty and draw veils over her bosoms...." (24: 31).

It is regretted that a "God-fearing" woman travels without mahram and also sits in close company with a man who is not her mahram. It is also regretted that the commission member did not allow the woman to make a telephone call to her husband.

Javid Hussain, Riyadh published 11 February 2008

Acts of Omission and Commission [8]

What a brilliant report exposing the real mindset of the members of a commission charged with the task of promoting virtue and preventing vice! Commission members use undue force against helpless civilians. I am glad that the media in Saudi Arabia has begun printing the reality and not what some officials want the world to read. What about the government's order forbidding the commission from detaining people? It would be interesting to find out what percentage of people detained by the commission actually proved to be guilty of the crimes they were charged with.

Ali Akbar, Jeddah published 11 February 2008

'Asian Tsunami'

This refers to the report "Gulf States Warned of 'Asian Tsunami'" (Jan. 28). The report quoted Bahrain's Labor Minister Majed Al-Alawi's statement about the risk posed by a large Asian work force in this region. While expressing such an opinion, he ignored the fact that the Asian workers have contributed hugely to the development and progress of the Gulf countries.

These workers, mostly from the subcontinent, brought skills that were lacking in these countries so they certainly contributed toward training the local work force as well. But the Asian workers have not received rewards commensurate with their contribution to the Gulf economy. In fact, regular wage increases and promotions for locals have only widened the economic gulf between the locals and expatriate Asian workers. Add to this the effects of current inflation and the rising costs of living.

Muhammad Ali Chishty, Riyadh published 11 February 2008

Rising Crime

I have been living in Saudi Arabia for nearly 19 years now. The recent rise in crimes in the Kingdom has shocked all, nationals and expatriates alike. I have a few observations to make.

First, foreign workers are the main targets, and the police department is not much help. Once, I reported a robbery attempt at my house. The burglar entered my house when my wife was alone, but managed to escape when she started screaming and the neighbors rushed in. The police didn't even visit my place to take a report of the situation. Recently a mentally disabled person in my neighborhood broke the glasses of several cars in our area, including mine. I went to the police station twice to report the case, but nobody was willing to listen to me. I then had to go with one of my Saudi friends to make sure that my complaint was reported.

Secondly, it seem that the crime intelligence is very weak. You should compare the rate of crimes in Saudi Arabia with those in the UAE to get a full picture, although the number of short-time visitors to UAE is much higher.

Thirdly, it seems that the Justice Department has bowed down too much to the pressure from so-called human rights organizations. This has resulted in many criminals being released after mild punishment.

Dadarkar Mohsin, Dammam published 11 February 2008

A Blessing for Women

This refers to Linda Heard's article, "Turkey Split Over a Piece of Cloth" (Feb. 5). When are we Muslims going to realize that the hijab (head scarf) is an Islamic requirement? It is not a burden, but a blessing. I live in the US and not one American university will tell a Muslim woman she cannot wear hijab.

And not one American employer will fire a Muslim woman for wearing a head scarf unless he wants to face a serious lawsuit. You know, I do not like many things about the US, but the overall freedom is what you want and this includes the freedom to wear hijab and this does exist here for sure. And Turkey is supposed to be an Islamic country.

Muslim girls should be taught the beauty of covering their bodies from infancy, and then they would grow up with a love for hijab.

Zainab Usama, United States published 11 February 2008

It's Time for the Saudis to Bail America Out

America's economy is coming apart at the seams and there is a real window of opportunity to both settle the Israeli Palestinian conflict while protecting the Arab oil fields.

The Israelis have been positioning themselves to capture those oil fields by having the American military clear the way.

One hundred dollar a barrel for oil is a two-way street. One way it wrecks the American economy and the other provides a way to fix it and a lot more if it is properly handled.

The beauty of a bailout by the Saudis requires an audit, and will expose just about everything so far being withheld from the American people (just in time for the elections).

Think about it.

Ed Friedemann, USA published 11 February 2008