Reform is coming, finally, to the controversial Saudi Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, which is sometimes called the Mutaween, the "volunteers". The committee will still be able to pull over anyone driving under the influence of alcohol, but will no longer be able to break into a citizen's home to arrest him while he's drinking.
The time is ripe. Many Saudis consider the committee to be even tougher than Sharia law, which forbids spying and invasion of the privacy of the home. And the new chief of the committee, Sheikh Abdullatif Al Alsheikh, seems to be the man for the job. He is an academic and the grandson of the founder of the religious reform movement that created the kingdom.
Radicals regard him as too tolerant, but tolerance is what the committee needs in these changing times. The newly appointed leader has published, in a widely circulated paper, his opinion that men and women should be allowed to mix in public, and that what is proscribed is being together in private.
Reform such as that can ease the strain between the committee and citizens. Saudis are conservative; if a Saudi man were drunk in public, he would admit that the committee had the right to act. But numerous problems have arisen when the committee's men enter homes by force to catch people drinking.
Many such committee cases begin this way, escalate to fights, and end in court and in prison. Sheikh Al Alsheikh seeks to tackle such differences.
To understand the committee, we must understand the country. The kingdom's nucleus is religious; without the da'wa, the call, there would be no state or royal family. A US-educated Saudi bureaucrat, sitting in his Riyadh salon, could rattle off reasons why the committee should be abolished: even in licentious New York, he would say, those who harass women sexually are arrested and treated harshly.
And state media could assume the first of the committee's duties, for scholars and muftis speak around the clock on TV and radio, guiding people in their religious duties.
These arguments seem logical, but to policy-makers the committee is concerned with guidance, enlightenment and da'wa, the spirit of which has endured since the first call 250 years ago.
The committee cannot be abolished; it is associated with the foundation of the country, stemming from Sheikh Al Alsheikh's grandfather's call for the virtuous to reform others.
A century ago young Abdulaziz Al Saud, the founder of the modern Saudi state, used the language of Islam to address the desert Bedouins, who believed in the da' wa but were poorly educated. He brought in mutaween to teach them to perform prayers in mosques, collective spirit, and the virtues of jihad and death for Allah. They were taught that they were followers of true Islam while others, despite having mosques and sheikhs, were deviant. This helped them to fight the country's unification battles.
When jihad ended, the new state was born. Life became softer. With education, radio and newspapers, children learned new ideas. Coastal cities were the most problematic. People there, open to the world through the sea, tended to listen to music, smoke, deal ingenuously with non-believers and travel.
The mutaween became an official committee intended to ensure that everyone attended prayers. A mutawa would call out names to identify those absent from prayer. Then came investigations into each absence: illness or laziness? The task expanded to include tracking down smokers and people who listen to music.
The committee came to overlap with other state organs. Books and magazines cleared by the Ministry of Information would be confiscated by the committee, with no compensation to bookshops. The Ministry of Commerce and the Customs Authority levied an import duty on tobacco, but the Committee banned it.
Officials untangled these thorny issues, but there were no general rules dividing powers in such cases. Naturally, this was intentional. The committee is annoying but beneficial; even some citizens who file complaints against it are terrified at the idea of its absence.
The mutaween were once older men, walking the streets, calling people to prayer, telling them to turn down their radios or asking women to cover their faces. Now, with cities growing, the committee has vehicles with loudspeakers. Younger men started joining during the awakening after Juhayman Al Otaybi's 1979 capture of the Grand Mosque.
The Saudi state, blaming the Juhayman movement on the openness of the middle class and the educated, granted the committee more powers and more fear-inducing black vehicles (they're now white), more communications equipment and more jobs and money.
The committee started tracking down the corrupt "in their dens". It has indeed exposed pornography networks and liquor-sellers but has also invaded people's privacy. It has arrested married couples, and brothers picking up sisters from school. Some overzealous mutaween believe people are guilty until proven innocent.
All this flows from the old perception that preserving a virtuous society, according to traditional criteria, is vital: Saudis should be better than others, for they are the true Islam.
It is time to redefine "true Islam" according to more tolerant criteria. This must be done without damaging the fabric of the society. It will also accomplish the wish of King Abdullah who said: "The kingdom is part of the modern world and cannot dissociate itself from it."
Jamal Khashoggi is editor-in-chief of the planned Alarab news channel
On Twitter: @JKhashoggi
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Western Region Asia Cup Qualifier
Results
UAE beat Saudi Arabia by 12 runs
Kuwait beat Iran by eight wickets
Oman beat Maldives by 10 wickets
Bahrain beat Qatar by six wickets
Semi-finals
UAE v Qatar
Bahrain v Kuwait
Real Madrid 1
Ronaldo (87')
Athletic Bilbao 1
Williams (14')
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The years Ramadan fell in May
Padmaavat
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh
3.5/5
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
About Okadoc
Date started: Okadoc, 2018
Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Healthcare
Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth
Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
MATCH DETAILS
Liverpool 2
Wijnaldum (14), Oxlade-Chamberlain (52)
Genk 1
Samatta (40)
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
Brief scores:
Everton 2
Walcott 21', Sigurdsson 51'
Tottenham 6
Son 27', 61', Alli 35', Kane 42', 74', Eriksen 48'
Man of the Match: Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur)
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
What is Genes in Space?
Genes in Space is an annual competition first launched by the UAE Space Agency, The National and Boeing in 2015.
It challenges school pupils to design experiments to be conducted in space and it aims to encourage future talent for the UAE’s fledgling space industry. It is the first of its kind in the UAE and, as well as encouraging talent, it also aims to raise interest and awareness among the general population about space exploration.