TAIF, 27 October 2007 — The Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Taif has arrested 25 charlatans of both sexes following the establishment a year ago of a special anti-sorcery department in the agency’s local branch.

Fahd Al-Thubaiti, head of the department, said one of the 25 detainees was a Saudi. “People need to understand the danger of witchcraft and its negative effects on society in general. No one can be a good Muslim and believe in black magic at the same time,” he said.

Al-Thubaiti said that the center arrests both people that dabble in magic and also fraudsters who claim they have special skills. He said all agents of the department are qualified and have good background knowledge of religion. In addition, they take several training courses, he added.

According to Al-Thubaiti, the number of witch doctors in the Kingdom has increased thanks to television programs that promote magic. “For some reason, women are more attracted to black magic and tend to be easy prey for charlatans. They consult these people to ensure their husbands love them and do not seek other women, and to beget children,” he said.

Al-Thubaiti said that there was a need to increase awareness about the issue and that this is the responsibility of the media.