The Commission for Promotion of
Virtue and Prevention of
Vice is the formal name of the
muttawwa or
mutaween or
religious police of
Saudi Arabia. They have been known to sentence young men to lashings for harassing girls in the marketplace. CNN.com reports that the "mutaween roam the streets of the
conservative kingdom wielding sticks to enforce
dress codes and sex
segregation and to ensure prayers are performed on time." (1)
They also prevented schoolgirls from leaving a burning building in
Mecca because they "were not wearing correct
Islamic dress". (2) This police force had also stopped men who wanted to help save the girls. These men were told it was sinful to approach the girls. Omar A. Bahlaiwa, Assistant
Secretary General for Foreign Affairs in the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry says "Don't judge
Saudi Arabia by the
colour of your
abaya."
(1) europe.cnn.com. CNN.com
19 Mar 2002. http://europe.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/meast/03/14/saudi.fire.reut/
(2) bbc.co.uk. The BBC
19 Mar 2002. http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/middle_east/newsid_1874000/1874471.stm