The Hai'a chief has said that those who want to boycott the Riyadh Book Fair are free to do so as it is up to them whether they attend it or not. “Extremism does not exist in Saudi society,” said Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Bin Abdulaziz Aal Al-Sheikh, chief of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (the Hai'a) while visiting the Book Fair Wednesday. Aal Al-Sheikh said those who give advice at the fair are driven by religious enthusiasm and fear, which makes them act in a way that does not befit the situation, Al-Iqtasadiyah reported Thursday. “Every person has his own way of advising people,” he said. He also pointed out that the Hai'a now has a clear mission and the Hai'a staff are responsible for performing their duties and achieving justice. The Hai'a and the Ministry of Culture and Information are coordinating to make the Book Fair a success, he said, adding that the ministry has satisfied all the demands of the Hai'a. Dr. Aal Al-Sheikh lauded the efforts of Hai'a members during the Book Fair and said that they performed their role perfectly during the event. Dr. Abdullah Al-Jasser, Deputy Minister of Culture and information, also said the ministry cooperated with all concerned authorities including the Hai'a to make the international fair a success.
