The new chief of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (the Hai'a) has said that non-Hai'a volunteers will no longer be allowed to serve in the force. “We thank all members who cooperated with the Hai'a for their keenness to promote virtue. But the Hai'a will perform its duties and will live up to the expectations of the leaders,” said Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Bin Abdulaziz Aal Al-Sheikh. On the intermingling of men and women at malls and the Grand Mosque, the new chief said the Hai'a will implement government directives. “The government always gives directives that are in line with the Shariah and benefit the country and citizens,” he said. “Amongst my priorities in the coming period is to create strong ties between the commission and all parts of society,” Al-Sheikh said. He also revealed that the Hai'a has opened up more branches and has plans to open up even more. He said the nature of the work that the Hai'a does is sensitive and requires a lot of attention. He admitted that Hai'a members sometimes commit small unintentional mistakes but urged the public to be tolerant. King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and Crown Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, have always supported the work of the Hai'a, he noted. “Our field workers do not have a risk allowance and are not paid for overtime. We hope through the support of our leaders to provide our workers with these benefits which will help cover the high costs of living.” Finally, Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif called upon Hai'a field workers to reflect a good image of the commission, to perform their tasks honestly, treat people politely and not to lose their temper quickly if they are agitated. __
