MADINAH, 27 December 2007 — Members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice have been praised for their politeness while dealing with pilgrims visiting various historical sites in Madinah.
Abdullah Al-Zahrani, head of the commission’s Madinah branch, said the members had strict instructions to deal with pilgrims in a friendly manner. “Commission members are also required to respect the cultural and denominational differences of pilgrims. They are not allowed to behave in a manner that does not agree with the noble principles of Islam,” Al-Zahrani told Arab News.
With the Haj finished, a huge number of pilgrims are in Madinah visiting sites that figured prominently in the lives of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his Companions.
Al-Zahrani said the commission had deployed field workers in 20 locations to dissuade pilgrims from indulging in acts prohibited by Islam. “Commission members have also been sent to bus stations, airports and seaports to congratulate pilgrims returning home after successfully completing the Haj. We’ve also been distributing gifts to departing pilgrims,” Al-Zahrani said.
“The members instruct pilgrims who continue to stay in Madinah on the correct method of visiting historical sites,” he said, adding that government support has been a major factor in making the commission’s activities a success this year.
“This year’s Haj is very successful in terms of general discipline and coordination between various official agencies involved in the Haj management,” Al-Zahrani said. “More than 1.2 million booklets in 38 languages have been prepared for distribution in Madinah. The booklets clarify various doubts that pilgrims have. These books are in addition to the one million booklets that were distributed prior to the Haj,” he added.
