Saudi religious police chief wants female recruits



The Saudi Arabian chief of religious police has proposed that women be recruited to the force.

There is a pressing need to employ Saudi women in the areas of awareness and guidance, Sheikh Abdul Latif Aal Al Sheikh, president of the commission for promotion of virtue and prevention of vice, told the Saudi Gazette.

The police, known as the mutawa, enforce dress and behaviour codes in line with the tenets of Islam.

Officers have the power to arrest those suspected of proscribed activities such as fraternising between unrelated men and women.

They also ensure businesses close during prayer times and that the country's dress code is observed.

Sheikh Abdul Latif said he hoped a recruitment drive would take place soon, adding female recruits would work under the supervision of an independent department.

Sheikh Abdul Latif was appointed to the post in January this year amid public discontent over the influence of the police.

Since taking office, he has curbed the powers of the religious police.

In his first reform after taking charge, he banned volunteers, said to number in the thousands, from serving on the force.

He has also warned his officers against harassment and has publicly dressed down those who have flouted these directives.

This month he told Al Hayat daily newspaper his force would hand over arrests and interrogations to other authorities.

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Europe’s rearming plan
  • Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

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Source: American Paediatric Association
Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

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THE BIO

Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma

Favourite book: Science and geology

Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC

Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

About Tenderd

Started: May 2018

Founder: Arjun Mohan

Based: Dubai

Size: 23 employees 

Funding: Raised $5.8m in a seed fund round in December 2018. Backers include Y Combinator, Beco Capital, Venturesouq, Paul Graham, Peter Thiel, Paul Buchheit, Justin Mateen, Matt Mickiewicz, SOMA, Dynamo and Global Founders Capital