JEDDAH — The head of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (Hai'a), Dr. Abdullatif Al-Asheikh, revealed that they have uncovered cases of assault and harassment of women by people who claimed to practice ruqyah (recitation of Qur'an to ward off evil). Al-Asheikh stated that a number of women have filed complaints of sexual harassment, assault and blackmail against ruqyah practitioners. Al-Asheikh explained that ruqyah has become the “job of the jobless.” He did, however, commend the “righteous” who perform ruqyah legitimately. Al-Asheikh called on the authorities to intervene and stop the criminal practice. He pointed to the commission's role in apprehending ruqyah exploiters and turning them over to the authorities. The Hai'a chief claimed, however, that these apprehensions alone will not eradicate the problem. “We need a clear system of punishment for these charlatans,” Al-Asheikh said. Al-Asheikh also called for a more comprehensive system of monitoring the work of those giving ruqyah. He called for a drive to educate people that illness and health are in God's hand alone. One should pray for one's own self, he added, rather than going to these frauds. He called on the media to raise awareness of these cases.
