Saudi Gazette The Commission of the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (Hai'a) is diligently considering to include women in their team. They will be given responsibilities pertaining to issues of women, which the committee believes women will be better able to handle. Their status and position will be equal to their male counterparts. The Chief of Hai'a, Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Bin Abdulaziz Aal Al-Sheikh, told Al-Watan daily that the idea of employing women by Hai'a and how women can contribute positively to the team is still being studied. “During the reign of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah, the Kingdom has witnessed an immense development and in fact a renaissance in the important roles that women are playing in our society. King Abdullah is highly aware of the value that women are adding to our society and he considers this segment of society who make up half of the nation's population is very productive and vital, and he is a strong advocate of protecting women's rights. As for women working in the Hai'a, it is still a proposed idea under study but I hope that it will be implemented,” said Al-Sheikh. He also denied the news on a unified code of dress for all members and employees of the Hai'a as a false rumor. Al-Sheikh stressed that the purpose and the true meaning of the Hai'a should not be lost or misunderstood. He repeated that the Hai'a strives to command virtue with virtue; meaning with kindness, gentle advice, and goodness. On the other hand, the Hai'a prevents vice without using vice; meaning through counseling and guiding without the use of force or malice. The esteemed Imam of the Grand Mosque, Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudais, wishes to eliminate the negative image that the average person has of the Hai'a. The stereotype that those who work in the Hai'a are dark lurking ghosts who must be feared is a misconception. Al-Sudais said, “Writers, journalists, and those in the media should look at all the protective and positive work that the Hai's has been doing, such as combating drug abuse and other evils that threaten the health, safety, stability, and peacefulness of our society. We are in great need of the Hai's just as we are in need of food and water. Members of the society should stop portraying to the public images of the Hai'a as being terrifying beasts that chase people with canes. Quite the contrary, they counsel people with smiles on their faces and with the intention to rescue innocent people from the grabs of evil.” __
