IT seems that the relationship between the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (Haia) and cultural institutions is becoming more tense day by day. One of the reasons for this is the mixing of genders in public places. Whenever this issue arises, matters become strained between the Haia and these institutions. Haia members view the intermingling of men and women as dangerous and something that should be prevented by all means, even if it means stopping the public activities that involve such intermingling. Recently, a few Haia members barged into an event being held by the Taif City Literary Club that had both men and women in attendance. Despite the fact that the event was open to all members of the public and was held in an open place, the fear of the mixing of genders made some Haia members take drastic action, such as attempting to stop the event, attacking the organizers and using foul language with them. Although the event ended peacefully, the debate over it continues. The organizers of the event asserted in newspapers that there was no intermingling of men and women at the event, and added that the event took place in two separate halls: one for men and the other for women. As far as I know, all clubs have separate halls for men and women. I think the organizers made a mistake when they publicized the issue and denied that any form of intermingling took place at the event. This denial only gives the Haia more strength. As far as I know, there are no laws against the mixing of men and women in public places. But why do Haia members and the organizers think otherwise? I hope such incidents do not take place in the future. We must acknowledge the fact that the mixing of men and women in public is not a crime. It is something natural that happens on a daily basis at hospitals, malls and the two Grand Mosques.
