MADINAH, 5 October 2006 — The chief of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice in Madinah, Suleiman ibn Saleh Al-Tuwaijeri, has dismissed media reports of the heavy-handedness of certain commission members as unfounded and contrary to the facts.
Al-Tuwaijeri made the comments while replying to questions directed at him at “the 18th Session of the Principals and Administrative Directors of Schools” at the College of Teachers in Madinah on Monday. “The reports about the commission in some newspapers are incorrect and lack credibility as they were quoting out of context and blowing things out of proportion in order to tarnish the image of the commission,” he said.
Al-Tuwaijeri said that the Kingdom’s Shariah-based establishments such as the courts, the commission and educational institutions have always been targets of hostile propaganda and unfounded criticism.
He also stressed the role of schools in making students aware of the importance of doing good deeds and keeping away from evil.
Al-Tuowaijeri attributed the increasing violence and corruption in society to the tendency of the people to discard a vital duty prescribed by the Prophet (peace be upon him).
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has said that it is the religious duty of every believer to stop evil actions by force or admonition and if he is incapable of doing this then to at least disapprove of the evil.
Answering a question about some youths of both sexes behaving in an unbecoming manner on the Sultana Street, Al-Tuwaijeri said the commission has taken steps in concert with police to end such improper behavior.
He said the commission interacts in a positive manner within society by organizing lectures, seminars and competitions at various places on different levels such as schools, jails and hospitals.
Books, cassettes, fliers, prizes and gifts are distributed on such occasions. Such events have also been attended by Suhail Muhammad Qassim, director of the commission’s IT unit.
