Saudi religious police may hire women – Official
11/04/2012
By Amal Baqzai
http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=1&id=29212

Jeddah, Asharq Al-Awsat – An official within the Commission for the
Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice [CPVPV] acknowledged that the
organization is having trouble monitoring female-only gatherings,
particularly in light of reports that illicit and illegal activities are
taking place at such gatherings. The source attributed the CPVPV’s failure
to get to the bottom of what is happening at female-only gatherings to the
absence of female CPVPV operatives.

The CPVPV official, who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat on the condition of
anonymity, said that “we have received unconfirmed reports that behaviour
contrary to Islamic Sharia law is taking place at closed female-only
gatherings. These reports are unconfirmed due to the absence of female CPVPV
operatives who can transfer credible information on this issue.” He added
“in addition to this, some people may be providing the CPVPV with inaccurate
or false reports.”

The CPVPV official stressed that “in this regard, the CPVPV relies on other
means [to uncover what is happening at female-only gatherings], including
receiving reports from sources close to those taking part in such
gatherings, as well as contacting the sites where such gatherings take
place.”

He also confirmed that the CPVPV is thinking seriously about appointing
female operatives who can specialize in dealing with such issues.

He stressed “if this is studied carefully, women working for the CPVPV will
help to resolve many issues tied to female-only gatherings and the alleged
illegal activities that are taking place there.”

With regards to the penalties for violations committed by women, the CPVPV
official said that “we will take a preventative pro-active approach, before
penalties are imposed, and this includes the sites and locations where these
gatherings are taking place to be punished…as it would be better to punish
the administrations that contravene the law, rather than the women
themselves.”

He added that such penalties will have positive results, as it will serve to
deter others from committing similar violations. He said “nobody will be
unjustly punished…but whoever fails to comply with statutory regulations or
Islamic Sharia law… deserves to be punished.”

CPVPV President Dr. Abdullatif Al Al-Sheikh had previously announced that a
study would be conducted to research the benefits of women taking part in
special operations for the CPVPV, adding that this came at the request of
the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz.

Dr. Al Al-Sheikh had previously told the press that “women working for the
CPVIV will complete the work of men [working for the CPVPV]” adding that
CPVPV female operatives would only deal with issues pertaining to women.

The CPVPV official also informed Asharq Al-Awsat that the Prince Sultan
Chair for Youth Research and Hisbah Issues, which is affiliated to the King
Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, was established more than two years ago to
study and research issues relating to the CPVPV and its dealings with the
youth, as well as in order to provide solutions to outstanding problems. He
added that the CPVPV is actively involved in this research.

The source also revealed that “70 percent of the CPVPV force has received
additional training in one of the 13 training courses available, which deal
with a number of issues including how to deal with cases of sexual
harassment and extortion, as well as all other cases that the CPVPV deals
with.” He stressed that these training courses aim to increase the
“professionalism” of the CPVPV.

The CPVPV official also confirmed that a strategic plan is in place
regarding CPVPV development and training, adding that this plan has already
begun to bear fruit. The source revealed that this strategic plan was first
implemented 4 years ago, and that it includes provisions that extend over
the next 20 years.

As for the criteria regarding the selection of CPVPV operatives, the
official stated that this is done through tests and interviews, adding that
the CPVPV is seeking to develop its operations, raising the standards
required for CPVPV operatives in terms of education.

He added “we are often asked to focus on finding forward-thinking people to
work for the CPVPV, whilst at this time we are paying even more attention to
this aspect, which includes rejecting [CPVPV] applicants with criminal
records.”

The CPVPV official stressed that once someone is accepted within the CPVPV,
they must pass a 3-month training course and then are provided with a
one-year provisional contract during which their operations and behaviour
are closely monitored.