Ghamdi, head of the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (the Hai'a) in Makkah, was rumored to have been dismissed Tuesday following his controversial interview, published by Saudi Gazette last Friday, in which he spoke frankly on the thorny topic of “ikhtilat” – the mixing of the sexes. The confusion was exacerbated when Abdulrahman Al-Juhani, head of the Hai'a in Taif, appeared in Al-Ghamdi's office, apparently ready to take up the duties of his new promotion as head of the Commission in Makkah.
