Members of the Commission for the Prevention of Vice and the Promotion of Virtue are not angels brought down from heaven. They are not the wisest men either, nor the best in their moral behavior.
In some cases, however, they are the power that intervenes on social corruption. Therefore, it is totally unacceptable for common citizens to participate in an ambush against the commission members and beat them up physically.
We cannot simply ignore a recent incident that occurred in Al-Suwaidi center in Riyadh last week where members of the commission were attacked. Every citizen should notice this event. Weakening of the commission is dangerous under the deteriorating social conditions we are currently experiencing; the lack of morality and loss of principles are shattering our traditions.
It is obvious that the commission’s powers are limited no matter how much authority they have been given. Our society will never maintain its moral certitude simply with the involvement of governmental authorities or official supervision. There has to be self-discipline and internal inhibition from every individual not to commit crimes or spread corruption within the community.
On the other hand, the commission must have a bigger role in educating and enlightening people kindly and friendly. Proper and mature use of words and style of communication provides a role model for teenagers and others. Our community rarely respects a member of the commission because of their rough, frightening delivery of their messages. Perhaps the media helped in promoting a bad image about them as well, but the fact remains that there are noticeable problems inside the commission, which contradicts whatever good they mean or intend to do.
