MADINAH, 15 May 2008 — The Health Affairs Administration in Madinah has denied that an intermingling of sexes took place at a function organized by the city’s Maternity and Children’s Hospital to celebrate World Thalassemia Day on May 9.
“An investigation committee found that men and women attending the function were seated separately as mandated by law, although a few women photographers crossed over to the men’s section to get a better view of stage events,” Adil Ashraf, a spokesman for the Health Affairs Administration in Madinah, told Arab News.
He added that Dr. Khaled Yaseen, director general of the administration, had ordered the investigation following media reports that there was gender mixing at the event.
Local media reported that Bluetooth pictures posted on the Internet by a participant drew many complaints from members of the public. People demanded an explanation why the hospital had organized a function where 200 men and women mixed.
The function, which was held at a tent on the hospital’s premises, was also attended by Dr. Khaled Sidi, director of the hospital.
According to media reports, gender mixing occurred during a cultural session in which folk songs were presented — something that was included in the schedule at the last minute.
Following the reports, Dr. Yaseen assured that he would not allow any gender mixing or singing and dancing on the hospital’s premises. He had also threatened to take action against the program’s organizers and remove the director of the hospital if they were found guilty of any violation.
Following the inquiry, the Health Affairs said that it had gathered evidence from video clips provided by the function’s organizing committee and people who attended.
“The inquiry found that, although there were no instances of gender mixing, the organizers violated a Ministry of Health order that women should be seated in separate halls at hospital functions. The order, which was issued in April 2006, also banned the use of musical instruments in the precincts of the holy city of Madinah,” said Ashraf.
The report also found fault with the organizing committee for not informing in advance the Health Affairs Administration of the activities that would be staged at the function, he added.
The report clarified that the director general, who ordered the investigation, did not intend to penalize the organizers of the event but warned them against any negligence in future, the spokesman said.
On the other hand, Dr. Sidi questioned the motive behind spreading the Bluetooth photos and accusations of gender mixing at the function. He added that there was no need of video clips and false propaganda to force him out of office and that he was willing to quit any time.
