Abdullatif Aal Al-Sheikh, President of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (the Hai'a), during the Joint Responsibility Dialog forum at the headquarters of Okaz Organization for Press and Publication in Jeddah, Monday night. — Okaz photos JEDDAH – The era of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, is marked by a desire to develop the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (the Hai'a) according to the pace of the country's social development and the needs and interests of its citizens, said Abdullatif Aal Al-Sheikh, the commission's president. Al-Sheikh made the comments during the Joint Responsibility Dialogue forum organized by Okaz Organization for Press and Publication at the organization's headquarters here, Monday night. “The Hai'a has new goals which are distinguished by the important role it plays in society. These goals will be implemented in accordance with the great care given to it by the country's leadership.” Since taking office, Al-Sheikh said he has tried to do everything possible to acquit himself before Allah in accordance with the Qur'anic verse: Invite (all) to the way of the Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: For the Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His path, and who receive guidance. – Surah Al-Nahl, Verse 125. He said he strictly abides by the instructions of the just and benevolent King Abdullah who advocates mercy, compassion and kindness in all affairs of life. He said the Hai'a's revised vision takes into consideration mercy before severity and moderation since the rite of the Promotion of Virtue and prevention of Vice demonstrates moderation as is seen in the Qur'anic verse which calls for wisdom when arguing with people or advising them. Part of the new vision calls for hiring young and efficient members of society to join the Hai'a. “Within this strategy of injecting new blood into the Hai'a, we have started hiring holders of postgraduate degrees. This will allow us to upgrade and raise the standards of our work. I want to make it clear that the Hai'a staffers are human and are not immune from making mistakes. Thus, if one of them makes a mistake, it should not be generalized or exaggerated because no human being is perfect.” Speaking on the raids that Hai'a members often conduct, Al-Sheikh said they are usually done in coordination with the relevant government authorities. The Hai'a chief said cases in which young men harass women in shopping malls, are immediately referred to the local courts. He added that the ban on youth entering malls was a mistake as it created unnecessary problems. He said the new vision also stresses the importance of Hai'a staffers gaining the trust of society in order to break the barriers which have developed in recent years. — SG
