Sheikh, president of the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (Hai'a), has said he has prevented one of the commission's members from field work after the man gloated over arresting more than 15 women in one day. The Hai'a chief said he prevented the officer from doing field work to save the public from the man's careless and arbitrary actions. He said he was not pleased to be told that so and so was arrested for flimsy reasons. Al-Sheikh made the comments while addressing the heads of the Hai'a branches in different parts of the Kingdom at his office in Riyadh on Saturday. He warned the Hai'a officials against abuse of power and aggressive behavior. He described using one's power to satisfy ulterior motives and to hurt others as the worst form of crime. Al-Sheikh urged his staff members not to confine their tasks to overseeing people at prayer times. He stressed the importance of Hai'a officials visiting patients in hospitals on certain days of the week and participating in social events. He underlined the need to break the psychological barrier between the Hai'a and some sections of society. Al-Sheikh said Hai'a members should integrate with society, by sending the message that they are givers and not usurpers of rights. He also asked the Hai'a members to gain the public's trust and love. “We want every citizen to promote virtue and prevent vice …. Don't make things difficult for people,” Al-Sheikh told his men. “We want our officers to carry out and perform their tasks in a way that pleases Almighty Allah. We should encourage people to behave in this way. It should be understood that there will be no room in our organization for any member who gives a hard time to people or hurt them,” Al-Sheikh said. He said there are more than 4000 Hai'a members and misbehavior by any one of them is likely to tarnish the image of the entire organization.
