'Haia won’t allow anyone to harass or blackmail women'

Abdullatif Al-Asheikh, president of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (Haia), said yesterday that his officials would not allow anybody to harass or blackmail women.
Speaking to Okaz Arabic daily, he said the commission would not prevent young men from entering malls and other shopping centers as long as they don’t cause any problems to others, such as teasing girls.
“We should celebrate Eid without transgressing the limits and without involving in activities that would make God unhappy,” he said.
He said allowing youth to enter malls in Riyadh along with families was successful. “We should have confidence in our youth and give them proper guidance,” he said.
Al-Asheikh said his organization has been following the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and working under the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.
Asked about the mistakes being done by Haia staff, he said: “These mistakes are negligible compared to the good work they do; and are individual cases. We have more than 5,000 field workers across the country.”
Speaking about the Baljurashi incident when a Saudi man was killed following a chase carried out by security and Haia patrols, he said: “It was a serious incident. It cannot be considered a simple mistake.”
He said the commission has no plan to appoint a lawyer to defend its staff involved in Baljurashi incident. “It is an issue of private rights and we have a fair judicial system.”
Al-Asheikh said Haia officials were successful in closing down seven liquor factories in Riyadh during Ramadan.
He said undocumented expatriate workers are behind manufacturing liquor. “We have arrested a number of expatriates who were running seven liquor factories in Riyadh.”
The Haia officials have also arrested a number of people practicing black magic in the country.
Al-Asheikh said there has been remarkable improvement in the relationship between Haia officials and the general public, adding that his officials work in accordance with the instructions given to them.