ABHA, 30 September 2006 — How about this for a little citizen-based enforcement of religious values: A Saudi man was beaten by a fellow shopper at a mall in the southern city of Abha because he was seen drinking soda in public during the month of fasting. According to a report published in yesterday’s Al-Madinah newspaper, another Saudi man, with a little sense, intervened and broke up the fight by pointing out that the public soda drinker was mentally ill and didn’t have the wits to realize the gaffe of eating, drinking or smoking in public during the holy month. This, of course, provided an opportunity for the self-appointed religious enforcer to consider the ethical value of assuming the worst intentions in other people.
