JEDDAH: The official spokesman for the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (the Hai'a) has said that the organization is drawing up new regulations for ruqya – treating ailments through recitation of the Qur'an – and magic and sorcery. Spokesman Abdulmuhsen Al-Qaffari told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that the drawing up of the plans, which is being done at the request of the Cabinet, would be completed within six months and then submitted to the Cabinet for approval. “The Hai'a has gathered all previous studies, research and decisions related to combating magic and regulating ruqya and has based the issue on the legal aspect under the supervision of the Hai'a presidency to draw up comprehensive regulations,” Al-Qaffari said. He said that the plans would also be submitted to authorities such as the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Islamic Affairs for their observations which would be taken into consideration before producing the final draft for the Cabinet's Experts Commission. “The regulations will focus on precautionary measures and procedures for arrest as well as appropriate punishments and deterrents,” he said, adding that it was “too soon to talk of details as work is still at its beginning”. He said, however, that the plans intend to “combat magic and sorcery and prevent unqualified persons from entering the field of ruqya”. “Ruqya practitioners are currently subject to direct assessment from the committees at regional emirates which are composed of various authorities to monitor and evaluate their performance, stop unqualified practitioners and punish and question those who commit violations,” the official said. A source at the Hai'a said that the new regulations could include the granting of licenses and official cards to ruqya practitioners which would be under constant review and require periodic renewal. The source said that the move would entail constant monitoring even after licenses are granted to prevent error, harm and unintentional death through beating or other practices, and that it would protect the practice of ruqya in general from abuse.
