Haia won’t tolerate public harassment

The head of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (Haia) yesterday said it would not allow any of its members to tarnish the organization’s image by their offensive and reckless behavior.
“We’ll not allow anybody to create chaos and confusion, attack people or do them injustice or harass them in Haia’s name,” Abdullateef Al-Asheikh, its president, said in comments published by Alsharq daily.
“The doors of my office and home are open to hear your complaints and criticisms before your words of praise,” he told heads of field workers. “We look forward to your proposals to improve Haia’s activities and reputation,” he said.
Al-Asheikh said Haia members who are engaged in promoting virtue inspired by the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) should uphold the Prophet’s noble qualities while dealing with the public.
“There are people who try to create a divide between Haia members and their leadership but will fail because I have established all channels of contacts with them,” Al-Asheikh was quoted as saying.
He urged his officials to be kind and nice while dealing with people. “Be fair to those who commit mistake as they are of you and you are of them.”
The organization has plans to send some of its officials abroad to learn English.
Fuad Kawther, a Saudi engineer associated with Islamic activities, emphasized the importance of promoting virtue and preventing vice in society. “Some scholars have considered it the sixth pillar of Islam and they believe that without it the five pillars would not be complete,” he told Arab News.
Scholars have stressed that this mission should be carried out properly, he said. “The Holy Qur’an has stated that the Prophet was sent as a mercy to mankind. Showing mercy to people is a fundamental teaching of Islam,” Kawther said, while expressing his hope that Haia officials would work for improving the organization’s image.