Saudis order buildup of religious police to preserve stability
ABU DHABI — The king of Saudi Arabia has approved an order for a nationwide crackdown on vice by the religious police.
The crackdown was ordered amid rising criticism of the religious police.
In February, the king replaced Ibrahim Al Ghaith as part of a reshuffle in
the command and ordered the appointment of Al Humeen, Middle East Newsline reported.
Officials said the force, reported to be expanding to 10,000 officers,
would be deployed in Saudi cities to enforce Islamic observance. They said
the decision by the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of
Vice was approved by Saudi King Abdullah in an effort to maintain social
order.
"The commission's men are called upon to orient people in what serves
best the public interest, treat them with kindness and tolerance, to keep
good intentions and prevent vice from happening," commission chief Abdul
Aziz Al Humeen said.
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Officials said Abdullah approved a program to double the force from
5,000 to 10,000 officers. They said the religious police were authorized to
search homes and stores for alcohol as well as segregate the sexes.
In May 2008, the religious force was bolstered when Interior Minister
Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz, a leading supporter, became deputy prime
minister and No. 2 figure in the kingdom. Nayef has termed the religious
police as important as the security forces.
