ABU DHABI Ñ Saudi Arabia has assured Western allies that the kingdom
will increase supervision over the religious police to prevent them from
harassing foreign nationals during the Ramadan fast month.
Earlier this month, Saudi officials warned its two million non-Muslims that they risk arrest and expulsion if they violate the fast of Ramadan
and the United States warned Americans they could be the targets of Islamic attacks in the Gulf region during Ramadan which began Nov. 6.
U.S. officials said militant and terrorist organizations including Al Qaida might launch attacks on Americans, particularly those at resorts and in churches.
Western diplomatic sources said Riyad has relayed its commitment to
prevent the police, termed the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and
Prevention of Vice, from launching raids on housing and facilities used by
Western nationals. Britain, France and the United States are said to have
about 100,000 citizens in Saudi Arabia.
The religious police will not employ undercover agents, including women,
to spy on the private activities of Westerners during Ramadan, the sources
said. In addition, the 4,500-member force would not beat or humiliate
Westerners suspected of violating the Ramadan fast, Middle East Newsline reported.
[On Tuesday, Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz
reported that 100 Saudi nationals have been arrested on suspicion of being
agents for Al Qaida. Prince Nayef said the Saudis were detained earlier this
year as they returned from Afghanistan.]
Earlier, the religious police director, Ibrahim Ibn Abdullah Ibn Ghaith,
said his force settles suspected Ramadan and other violations of Islamic law
through peaceful means. Ghaith said the religious police officers do not
plan to raid the homes of Saudi residents but to refer accusations to the
prosecutor.
"We do not approve of beating grown-ups or children," Ghaith said. "Our
role is limited to catching the guilty if the offense is witnessed by our
officials and handing them over to the authorities concerned."
Ghaith said religious police will monitor Saudi schools and
universities and distribute tapes and literature on the need to observe
Islamic law. He said his force will increase its presence around girls
schools to ensure that students are not harassed.
"Our men are present everywhere," he said. "They are not denied
admission to any place."
The religious police have 13 offices around Saudi Arabia.
