Does Saudi Arabia Still Have Religious Police

Saudi Arabia has a long tradition of stringent religious laws, enforced by the religious police, known as the Mutaween, or Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice. Under the rule of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, there has been a drastic shift in how these laws are applied, raising questions about the existence and future of the religious police.

The Saudi government has stated that the Mutaween are still active and have been restyled to better reflect the kingdom’s social and religious values. But many are skeptical about this claim due to the widespread anecdotes of reduced enforcement of the religious police and a lack of hard evidence to back the government’s assertion. Reports of religious police sightings are still comparatively rare and the vast majority of Saudis don’t seem to be living in fear of the Mutaween as they once were.

Local Saudi observers say that the Mutaween are now less visible because they have been merged into the kingdom’s police force and thus no longer stand out as they once did. However, this integration of the religious police into the kingdom’s police force has been met with mixed results. While some argue that the merger has made it easier for Saudis to report individual acts of repression, others are concerned that it has granted the religious police more power, as they now have access to traditional police presence and protocol.

Religious scholar Dr. Mohammed Al-Khalawy has a different take on the issue. He claims that the Saudi government is still enforcing religious laws, but they are doing so in a more subtle way. Dr. Alam explains that, “the government no longer needs to rely on the Mutaween to enforce religious rules, as they can do so through other channels, such as media channels, and the internet.” According to Al-Khalawy, this shift in approach has been met with great success in Saudi Arabia, as the majority of citizens follow the guidelines without any real interference from the Mutaween.

While it’s unclear what the future holds for the religious police in Saudi Arabia, the shift in approach to religious laws appears to be here to stay. The Saudi government has made a concerted effort to reduce the reliance on the Mutaween to enforce strict religious laws and instead opts to use more subtle forms of control. And although some may be concerned about the potential loss of the religious police, most observers see this shift as a positive one for the kingdom.

Opposition to Religious Police

Though the religious police enforcement has decreased in recent years, there is still opposition to their existence even among the religious ruling class. One of the most vocal critics is Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, a prominent scholar in Saudi Arabia. He has argued that the Mutaween are not necessary to enforce religious laws, as it is the responsibility of every individual to practice their faith and follow the teachings of the Qur’an.

In fact, Sheikh Bayyah and his supporters go even further, arguing that the religious police force often acts with impunity. He highlights instances like the tragic death of a 15-year-old girl who was killed by Mutaween officers in 2018. This event sparked nationwide outrage, leading to protests and a critical examination of the role of the religious police in Saudi society.

Prominent Saudi activist Manal al-Sharif has also spoken out against the religious police. She argues that their presence can have a “chilling effect” on Saudi society, stifling creativity and free thought. Al-Sharif has also pointed out that the Mutaween often disproportionately target marginalized groups and seek to benefit the ruling elite.

Given the criticism, it’s not surprising that the Saudi government has taken steps to restructure and limit the influence of the religious police in the country. This shift may not be popular among those who still believe in their role, but it appears to be the new status quo for Saudi Arabia.

Religious Police Still Have Authority

Despite the shift in how the religious police are utilized, it’s also important to recognize the authority they still possess. The Mutaween still have the right to detain individuals, investigate issues of moral impropriety, and investigate cases of illicit behavior. The powers may have been limited, but the Mutaween still have a prominent role in Saudi society.

It’s also worth noting that the Saudi government still makes use of religious police forces in areas not affected by the recent shift. For example, in religious cities like Mecca and Medina, the Mutaween are still very active and still have the authority to crack down on any perceived transgressions. This is because these cities are considered holy sites and must be preserved in accordance with Sharia law.

Furthermore, it is important to remember that the decisions regarding religious police are made by the King and the Supreme Council of Religious Scholars. These figures prescribe the acceptable forms of behavior and set the expectations of the Mutaween. As such, they are the ones who dictate what actions are taken in the name of enforcing Sharia law.

Limitations of Saudi Government

Though the Saudi government has certainly taken steps to reduce the role of the religious police, there are still limitations to what they can do. For example, the Saudi government lacks the resources and infrastructure to effectively monitor and enforce Sharia law in all areas of the kingdom. As such, there are still reports of the Mutaween engaging in acts of moral vigilantism with impunity.

On top of this, the Saudi government also lacks the legal infrastructure to handle cases and allegations of religious police abuses. Even if an individual reports a case of abuse to the proper authorities, there is no guarantee that it will be taken seriously. In many cases, the punishments issued by the religious police amount to little more than a slap on the wrist.

The reality is that the religious police in Saudi Arabia are still active, but in a different way than they before. The Saudi government may have taken steps to reduce the power of the religious police, but it appears that they’ve still retained a prominent role in enforcing religious laws in the kingdom.

Saudi Society Evolving

While there is still opposition to the religious police presence in Saudi society, there have been notable shifts over the past few years. For example, more Saudis are supporting the government’s socially progressive policies, such as lifting the ban on women driving and allowing women to attend sporting events. These changes may seem small, but they signify a larger shift in attitudes towards religious policing and the role it plays in Saudi society.

It appears that many Saudis are no longer willing to accept the unjustified interference of the religious police in their daily activities. This shift in attitude has been reflected in the way that the religious police are occasionally ignored or met with hostility when they identify perceived transgressions.

Ultimately, there is still a long way to go before the religious police are effectively sidelined in Saudi society. But the fact that these changes are being made is a sign of progress. Saudi society is slowly transitioning away from the heavy-handed tactics of the past and embracing a more open and tolerant society.

Future of Saudi Arabia

The Saudi government will continue to take steps to limit the role of religious police forces in society, although it is unclear what the future holds. Some commentators suggest that the Mutaween may eventually be phased out altogether, while others argue that it is still too early to tell.

At the very least, these changes indicate that Saudi society is slowly becoming more open and tolerant. The current shift in approach to religious laws is an encouraging sign for those who wish to see a more progressive and tolerant Saudi Arabia. It appears that while the religious police still have a role to play, they are no longer the force they once were.

Whether or not the religious police will continue to exist in some form in the future is still uncertain. What is certain, however, is that Saudi society is evolving and the religious police are no longer the all-powerful force they once were.

Joseph Gamez

Joseph R. Gamez is a freelance journalist and writer who specializes in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia. His articles focus on regional politics, human rights, and religious and cultural issues. He is passionate about bringing the stories of the Middle East to the public in an engaging and thought provoking way.

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