Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi

The American family was going around the shopping mall, when approached by a young sheikh from the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (Haia). The handsome, well-dressed man was smiling as he politely asked the ladies to cover their heads.



When the daughter protested, he told her that it makes her even prettier to do so. And to prove his point, he offered to take a picture of her using her mobile. His English was good and his attitude was so nice that everyone was smiling as the young girl followed his suggestion.



As he was prepared to leave, the mother asked him about his name and wondered why he was different than other sheikhs. He jokingly answered: You may call me the Cool Sheikh!



This was a story I wish could be multiplied and becomes a model of good personality that represents the real Islam. I am sure that many members of Haia are as good-meaning and have nice attitude. The problem is that the few who are not as good make headlines. Their un-Islamic harsh approach to guidance and advice gives a bad name to the rest of them.



Another problem is their supporters’ entrenching. After the recent infamous episode when a British man and his Saudi wife were harassed by four members of the Haia in a shopping mall in Riyadh, there were an uproar from their critics. Newspapers as well as Twitter, Facebook and other social networks were on fire with harsh comments against them. On the other hand, their supporters were solid in their defense.



For those supporters, the accused members were heroes, or at least innocent. Even though the Haia leadership investigated the issue and found them guilty, lying and misleading the investigators, many were skeptical. For them, it was a liberal conspiracy against Islamic traditions. It didn’t help that video clips of the incident were wildly available on You Tube.



As usual, truth is somewhere in between. While the Haia members did commit a felony, broke their own rules, and deserved punishment, it is true that many found it an opportunity to defame and maybe abolish the Commission. This goes against the wish of those who decided to defend the Haia no matter what. In so doing, they have crossed sacred Islamic lines by lying and misleading. A Muslim should never lie or cheat, even in self defense or for good causes. Good ends cannot justify bad means.



We do need the Haia to defend our traditions and way of life, as well as protect our families and children. Many countries have morality police squads for such purpose. In our case, it is a religious one.



However, we should put up golden rules that cannot be crossed by them, or any authority. Human rights should be upheld. No authority should have the right to suspect a person without good reason. Asking couples to prove their relations is an invasion of privacy. Chasing cars endangers lives and risks safety. Intervening on peoples’ choice of life style, as long as it is decent and discreet, is morally and legally wrong.



What Haia needs is to look hard and deep into their role and actions, their mission and objectives; to find out whatever needed to be corrected and fixed.



They also need to draw up a constitution that is in line with Islamic principles and national interests, laws and regulations. Members need good Islamic education and special field training, such as workshops on social communication and language skills.



Without such self-review and regulation, society would be soon calling for government to do so. The Shoura Council is already demanding such a review. Let’s hope that we all come together to find a solution and help our brothers in Haia be “Cool Sheikhs” who show the way with smile and helping hands, instead of force and hard face.



What do you think dear readers? How can the Haia be more popular and less criticized? Let’s share thought on this subject. Here’s some of your comments on my last article (Iran: Sponsoring terrorism and division.)



Terrorism



“Both are guilty. You can blame the ignorant teachers on both sides —the Shiite and Sunni countries. I asked a wise Muslim once what is the problem in one sentence. He said they made a library out of a few books. I agreed and said we have the same problem.” Anthony



Letter to Al-Thoari



“Unfortunately Iranian and ISIS propaganda is winning even in places like Pakistan and India, where leading media people are spreading lies as facts.” Moiz Muqri



– Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi is a Saudi writer based in Jeddah. He can be reached at kbatarfi@gmail.com. Follow him at Twitter:@kbatarfi