It is a crime for drivers to hide their number plates and attack staff and vehicles of the Saher traffic system, according to several members of the Council of Senior Ulema. Dr. Abdullah Al-Mutlaq, a member of the council and adviser to the Royal Court, said covering or removing car number plates, to prevent detection by Saher cameras, is a violation of public-interest regulations, disobeys direct instructions from the ruler and is not allowed under Islamic law. He also slammed those who attack Saher staff and property. “Attacks against supervisors of the system, whether of the Traffic Department, municipalities or any other supervisory authority or ministry that implements the regulations and prevents cheating, is an attack on the law itself. These are forbidden and detestable acts under the Shariah.” “From the Shariah perspective, whoever carries out such acts deserves punishment, to deter them from such behavior in future because they are hindering regulations laid down by the state to protect them,” he said. Al-Mutlaq stressed that a Shariah court should determine the punishment of a man who set fire to a Saher vehicle and killed the driver in Al-Quway'iah. He added that it is only a court judge who can determine the circumstances and motives for the killing and issue the appropriate verdict. Dr. Ali Bin Abbas Al-Hakami, a member of the council and the Supreme Judicial Council, echoed the views of Al-Mutlaq. He said drivers are breaking the law if they hide or remove their number plates. He said citizens who care for their fellow countrymen and women should not commit such acts, which are considered unlawful under the Shariah. Al-Hakami said that those who attack Saher drivers and damage its property are committing the gravest sins. He called on the state to crack down on these criminals as an example to others. Dr. Ahmad Al-Mubaraki, a member of the council and the Permanent Committee for Ifta and Research, called on the Council of Senior Ulema to discuss the matter and issue a collective edict (fatwa). Brig. Gen. Abdul Rahman Al-Muqbil, Supervisor of the Saher System, said Saher cameras can determine the details of number plates despite attempts to hide the plates. However, he said some drivers remove the front number plate, making it difficult for Saher to take photographs. He called on the Ulema to urge the youth not to damage Saher cameras and vehicles and attack Saher employees. __
