Chief says Haia is in need of female staff

JEDDAH: Haia personnel would not be entering tents during Haj, focusing only on educating pilgrims, said Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh, president of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (Haia). They will also be distributing gifts, water and books.
Speaking to the Okaz newspaper, Al-Asheikh said the Haia decided to distribute 3 million books and tapes in numerous languages this year.
He also told the newspaper that the Haia was in need of female personnel, and hoped hiring would begin soon.
“Female Haia personnel’s work will be of an independent nature focusing on guiding women. They will work separately from the men as is the situation in all other government departments. Female personnel will have their own all-female administration,” he said.
He explained that they would work in the women’s gatherings and places where only women go.
Regarding the recent book fair and about reports of Haia confiscating books even though it is the Ministry of Information’s job, he said it was not the Haia's business to confiscate books. In a case where one of our members notices a violation, they inform the department concerned in the ministry. It is the ministry’s job and we do not confiscate any books,” he said.