Haia imposes ban on women jogging in Asir town
Published: May 1, 2010 01:06 Updated: May 1, 2010 01:22
AL-MUJARADAH: The Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (Haia) has banned women from jogging and other physical exercise in certain areas of an Asir town, Al-Watan reported on Friday.
The Haia’s branch in Al-Mujaradah attempted to justify its decision by claiming it was doing the women a favor.
“The Haia did not exactly ban women from physical exercise, it only intervened to guarantee their safety from criminals who frequently harass them as they walk in lonely places,” said Haia spokesman for Asir province Bandar Al-Mufreh.
A Haia member, who chose to remain anonymous as he was not authorized to speak on the record, said records from the commission described one particular street in the town where women were banned as lonely, poorly lighted, and frequented by drug addicts and other anti-social people.
This was disputed by fitness enthusiast R.S Al-Shahri, who claimed that the street was safe and well-lit, while almost 30 women would walk there between sunset and Isha prayers. “But the Haia members banned us from walking on the street when there was nothing to fear,” she said.
She claimed that when she called Al-Mujaradah’s Haia chief Muhammad Al-Shahri for an explanation, he told her that the place was unsafe for women.

Comments
AHMED FARAZ RAO
May 9, 2010 00:29
Report abuseIf some place is unsafe for people then should people leave that place or should police come into action to make it safe?
HA
May 9, 2010 00:30
Report abuseFAHED
May 9, 2010 00:34
Report abuseDUPER MARIO
May 9, 2010 00:41
Report abuseLaws should be very clear and known to everyone, so that everyone may follow them.
MERWYN
May 9, 2010 01:07
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