Rise and fall of the Saudi religious police

Saudi women are once again free from unreasonable restrictions, says Sheikh Ahmad bin Qasim Al-Ghamdi, left.
Updated 23 September 2019
Follow

Rise and fall of the Saudi religious police

  • Decision to limit police powers helps encourage moderation in the Kingdom
  • Unchecked power created climate of fear, leading cleric recalls

JEDDAH: The role of the Saudi Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (CPVPV) — better known as the religious police — has always been to advise and guide society to become better Muslims. 

However, after the Kingdom adopted a hard line religiously and socially during the post-1979 Sahwa (Islamic Awakening) era, the religious police strayed from their original intent. Fueled by an extreme ideology and with powers unchecked, this organized group of pious men turned from friend to foe of society. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has implemented a series of reforms under Vision 2030, which aims to better the lives of its people and, according to its architect Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, bring society back to moderate Islam. 

Perhaps one of the least hyped but most significant reforms was the decision to strip the religious police of its unchecked power. This was an unprecedented, risky yet necessary move that the Saudi government had avoided for decades. 

The role of the CPVPV, which was established in 1940, has always been to serve as society’s spiritual guide. Back then, it — and society as a whole — happily saw religion and modernization coexist. 

Sheikh Ahmad bin Qasim Al-Ghamdi, a cleric and former director of the religious police in Makkah, recalls the harmony that existed before 1979.  “In those days, parents behaved in a pure and natural way. I don’t recall hearing anyone inciting hatred and calling for the exclusion of others who practice different religions, doctrines or culture,” he said. “In general, they were an example of tolerance, optimism and openness.”

School curricula promoted openness, coexistence and independent thinking. The culture of fanaticism, extremism, hate, death, exclusion of the other, and fear of scientific and civic development had not yet infiltrated the education system, said Al-Ghamdi.

“Our parents and grandparents simply expressed that Saudi spirit through true and sincere religiosity, untainted by political views or ethical exaggeration,” he added. “The culture of Saudi society prior to 1979 was moderately religious and into life.”

Al-Ghamdi said Saudi women expressed their best character back then. They had strong and confident personalities, free from unreasonable restrictions in their dress and behavior. 

But the spread of extremism led to a decline in their status and the disappearance of their role in Saudi society. Similarly, the creative arts, which had been flourishing, suffered from restrictions later on.

In 1976, the religious police started to expand and evolve when its branches in Hijazi and Najd merged into one body by Royal Decree 64, which appointed Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh as its president. Four years later (and following the events of 1979), on Sept. 5, 1980, Royal Decree 37 was issued to establish a working system for the religious body. 

It introduced four new sanctions: The formation of the general presidency of the religious police; setting the basis and authority of its president; the appointment, promotion and discipline of members and staff; and its duties in towns and villages. “This development was considered a quantum leap administratively and legally for the religious police,” said Al-Ghamdi.

Extremists sought not only to make society’s old ways look like sinful, but to promote this obscurantist image abroad in an attempt to create a vast civilizational gap between Saudi Arabia and the civilized world, he added.

In 1979, Juhayman Al-Otaibi and his followers threatened the sanctity and safety of the Grand Mosque in Makkah by attacking its guests with explosives and guns. In the aftermath, Saudi Arabia saw the rise of the Sahwa movement. Abdulaziz Al-Khedr, author of the book “Saudi: A History of a Country and Community,” said media discretion was the only way to minimize the damage.

“The case was closed rapidly after their sentences were announced, and it wasn’t even an option to point to the incident anymore. Juhayman’s name was prohibited (from) mentioning in the papers,” wrote Al-Khedr, who captured the palpable change that took place in TV programs and songs between 1980 and 1991, which was felt even by children. 

Films were prohibited, music was played less, and female singers were banned from TV but not from radio. “There was a rise in extracurricular activities with a religious orientation,” Al-Khedr wrote.

During the 1980s, Saudi society shifted markedly due to the role played by the religious police. Al-Ghamdi said: “Some influenced Saudis joined terrorist groups and followed organizations that had political motives, such as the Muslim Brotherhood, Al-Qaeda, and later on Daesh.” He added that the CPVPV was not aligned with the realistic requirements of modern society.

Al-Khedr described the cause of the friction between society and the religious police in an op-ed for Makkah Newspaper on Sept. 13, 2014. “What’s problematic about their work is how they relate it to spaces that cover personal freedom in worship and conduct,” he wrote.

The CPVPV’s mission is meant to be that of advice and guidance based on kindness, far from friction with the public or obligating society with jurisprudentially controversial opinions, as well as uncorrected abuse that was sometimes carried out by some of its members, said Al-Ghamdi.

Although the religious police enjoyed the support of a large portion of society at one time, it was not like the danger it posed was not apparent to the Saudi leadership, intellectuals and concerned citizens. 

One of those most concerned with the CPVPV’s growing power was the late King Abdullah. His concerns proved correct when in 2002, a fire erupted in a girls’ school in Makkah, and members of the religious police were reportedly accused of hindering the rescue because the girls weren’t wearing abayas. 

The result was 15 dead schoolgirls, an international scandal, and a fuming and incredibly frustrated King Abdullah. But because he was only crown prince at the time, and due to the poor health of King Fahd, he was unable to do anything himself or mobilize the ailing king to move forward with what he saw as necessary reform of the CPVPV. 

Three years later, Abdullah became king. His approach was to try and replace the head of the religious police with a more moderate figure. Yet because of decades of bureaucracy and the nature of this body of overzealous men, moderate ideas did not travel far, and King Abdullah’s solution did not solve the problem. 

Members of the religious police continued to harass citizens and visitors, to the point where some died in car chases. 

They destroyed musical instruments, raided beauty salons, shaved heads, whipped people, burnt books, and continued being unchecked — until an unexpected decision came out on April 11, 2016. 

The Saudi Cabinet issued a royal decree that stripped the religious police of its privileges, banning its members from pursuing, questioning, asking for identification, arresting and detaining anyone suspected of a crime. They are now obliged to report back to the police and security forces if need be.

It seems as if Saudi Arabia has now regained contact with its pre-1979 self. “Major decisions are being made by the conscious political leadership today, such as allowing women to drive, reforming education, destroying the forces of extremism and violence, allowing Saudi art to return to its natural place, and starting huge economic projects such as NEOM, the Red Sea Project and others, indicating how life in Saudi Arabia is regaining its true spirit,” said Al-Ghamdi.

Today’s Saudi society is living in its best time, having recovered its social values, optimism and hope for the future. It is combating extremism adopted by Iran, Qatar and the Muslim Brotherhood.

Saudi Arabia has also shifted its attitude toward women, allowing them into stadiums, giving them the right to obtain passports and travel without a male guardian’s consent, and promoting them to leadership positions.

The religious police’s role has become more lenient. Al-Ghamdi said the changes have effectively corrected the imbalance of many of its procedures, restoring its work balance and semi-enabling it to return to be a source of moderation.

“The new CPVPV has managed to defuse the strife in the relationship between its past self and society,” he added.

“It has prevented the distortion and weak confidence that the people had in the procedures that were followed in the past,” he said. 

Those procedures “damaged the reputation of the promotion of virtue and prevention of vice as a ritual, and the reputation of the Kingdom as a state that applies the provisions of Islam.”

 

 


From ‘What If?’ to ‘Wow!’ at Ithra children’s festival

The Children’s Festival, which runs until July 26 at Ithra, blends creativity, learning, play and discovery. (Supplied)
Updated 14 July 2025
Follow

From ‘What If?’ to ‘Wow!’ at Ithra children’s festival

  • The festival at Ithra offers shared space for children and parents to express curiosity, creativity

DHAHRAN: The inaugural Children’s Festival being held under the theme “What if?” at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture is designed to “inspire imagination, encourage connection, and make space for discovery,” an official told Arab News recently.

Nouf Al-Jama, the head of learning at Ithra, added: “The program invites children to express themselves, engage with their surroundings, and experience culture in new and exciting ways.”

The Children’s Festival, which runs until July 26 at Ithra, blends creativity, learning, play and discovery. (Supplied)

The event, which began on July 7 and runs until July 26 between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m., blends creativity, learning, play and discovery.

The festival features 50 diverse activities including live performances, interactive stations, creative zones, workshops and a book fair, to encourage critical and creative thinking.

FASTFACTS

• The Children’s Festival’s artistic zones invite kids and their families to explore color, motion, and self-expression.

• The five-day Children’s Book Fair runs until July 19 and includes 20 local and international publishing houses.

• South Korea is this year’s guest of honor, offering a window into its culture through stories and illustrations.

The artistic zones invite children and their families to explore color, motion, and self-expression.

One such experience combines rhythm and culinary arts, transforming everyday kitchen utensils into instruments of sound and joy.

The Children’s Festival, which runs until July 26 at Ithra, blends creativity, learning, play and discovery. (Supplied)

“(The festival) gives children the freedom to express themselves and feel heard — whether through painting in the interactive art space, uncovering clues in the museum adventure, or stepping onto the open mic stage,” said Al-Jama.

The sessions have experts from local and regional institutions including the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, Abu Dhabi Children’s Library, House of Wisdom in Sharjah, and King Abdulaziz Public Library.

The Children’s Festival, which runs until July 26 at Ithra, blends creativity, learning, play and discovery. (Supplied)

Parents and guardians are invited to join workshops, engage in conversations with other parents and build memories.

“It is this sense of togetherness, where children and families learn and grow side by side, that makes the festival so special,” Al-Jama added.

The Children’s Festival, which runs until July 26 at Ithra, blends creativity, learning, play and discovery. (Supplied)

With schools closed and summertime in full swing, local children are immersing themselves in the festival.

“The response so far has been incredibly encouraging. From the very first day, we have seen families arriving early and staying for hours, moving from one experience to the next.

The Children’s Festival, which runs until July 26 at Ithra, blends creativity, learning, play and discovery. (Supplied)

“Children have embraced the festival with curiosity and confidence,” she said of the opening week.

Additionally, the five-day Children’s Book Fair at Ithra runs until July 19, and includes 20 local and international publishing houses specializing in literature for children and young adults.

South Korea is this year’s guest of honor, offering a window into its culture through stories and illustrations.

“It is part of Ithra’s ongoing efforts to support the next generation by using culture as a tool for exploration, growth, and shared experience,” Al-Jama said.

 


From Nigeria to Makkah, sereh finds a home on Saudi tables

Updated 14 July 2025
Follow

From Nigeria to Makkah, sereh finds a home on Saudi tables

  • The introduction of sereh to Saudi Arabia is believed to be linked to the Hajj pilgrimage, when people from across the world brought with them their cultural traditions, including food

RIYADH: Sereh, a beloved African dish rooted in Nigerian tradition, has carved out a place for itself in the culinary landscape of Saudi Arabia.

Once popular as a street food in Makkah’s older neighborhoods such as Al-Mansour, Al-Hafayer, and Al-Barno, sereh has grown beyond its origins to reflect a story of migration, cultural exchange, and shared taste.

Traditionally, sereh consists of skewered beef seasoned with a bold blend of African spices. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)

Traditionally, sereh — also known as tsire or suya — consists of skewered beef seasoned with a bold blend of African spices, then roasted over an open flame. This method creates not only a flavorful dish but an aromatic experience that draws people in.

“Tamiz, or Afghani bread, was also a street food, so they were often enjoyed together,” said Rodwan Fallatah, owner of the African restaurant AfriQ in Riyadh.

FASTFACT

Sereh’s journey from West African street stalls to Saudi dinner tables captures the essence of Makkah’s openness.

“You roast the sereh until it’s hot, and with tamiz nearby, you simply grab some hot bread to enjoy with it.”

The dish originates from the Hausa tribe, an ethnic group with a strong presence in northern Nigeria, southern Niger, and beyond.

Traditionally, sereh consists of skewered beef seasoned with a bold blend of African spices. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)

“As a proud member of the Hausa tribe, I take great pride in seeing our traditional dish being enjoyed far beyond Hausa land, reaching communities across Africa and even here in Saudi Arabia,” said Zainab Hawsawi, a Saudi writer and businesswoman.

She noted that the typical Hausa kitchen is a treasure trove of rich and diverse flavors, featuring meat dishes like dambu nama, delicately shredded and seasoned dried beef; kilishi, thinly sliced, spiced, and sun-dried meat; and balangu, famous for its juicy, freshly grilled pieces.

“But nothing compares to the explosion of flavors you experience when eating suya, especially as you dip each piece into yaji, the signature blend of spicy suya dipping spices,” she added.

The introduction of sereh to Saudi Arabia is believed to be linked to the Hajj pilgrimage, when people from across the world brought with them their cultural traditions, including food.

Sereh gradually integrated into the local food scene, creating a fusion of flavors that captivated the taste buds of residents.

“I think the logical answer would be migration,” said Fallatah, emphasizing how pilgrims helped introduce the dish into Makkah’s multicultural food scene.

Makkah, long regarded as a cultural crossroads, provided fertile ground for this culinary exchange. As locals encountered new dishes, they began to experiment and adapt.

Originally from Madinah, Fallatah moved to Riyadh in 1997 and opened AfriQ, where he serves sereh among other dishes.

His passion for African cuisine has made his restaurant a popular spot for both locals and visitors.

“The spices are unique, and the preparation of sereh is different. Locals observe and learn, and soon they want to try it themselves,” he explained, noting that demand is especially strong in hotels catering to pilgrims and tourists.

Sereh’s journey from West African street stalls to Saudi dinner tables captures the essence of Makkah’s openness and the Kingdom’s growing embrace of cultural diversity through food.

As it continues to evolve, sereh stands as a flavorful reminder of how Saudi kitchens are becoming more globally inspired — one skewer at a time.

 


Hungary’s ambassador bids farewell to Saudi Arabia after a decade of diplomacy

Updated 14 July 2025
Follow

Hungary’s ambassador bids farewell to Saudi Arabia after a decade of diplomacy

  • Balazs Selmeci hails Vision 2030 reforms, societal change, stronger bilateral ties

RIYADH: Hungarian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Balazs Selmeci bid farewell to the Kingdom as he concluded his decade-long tenure.

Selmeci visited Arab News headquarters in Riyadh on Monday, where he met with Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas.

The envoy said his goals were to strengthen political and diplomatic relations, expand economic ties and promote a positive image of Hungary in Saudi Arabia.

Hungarian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Balazs Selmeci with Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas in Riyadh on Monday. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)

At the same time, Selmeci sought to highlight Saudi Arabia’s changes and opportunities in Hungary, as well as the hospitality and kindness of the Saudi people.

“I believe I achieved good results in both areas, thanks to the support of Saudi institutions, the people and my colleagues at the embassy,” Selmeci told Arab News.

Reflecting on his time in the Kingdom, Selmeci highlighted the significant changes he witnessed over the years. He singled out the closing ceremony of Riyadh Season at King Fahd Stadium as a moment that symbolized Saudi Arabia’s rapid transformation.

Saudi society showed commitment to the reforms, leading to a more open and globally connected country.

Balazs Selmeci, Hungarian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia

He recalled that the stadium was full of men and women together, and Saudi ballet dancers performed on stage — something that would have been unimaginable earlier.

“At that moment, I realized how much Saudi Arabia had changed. I saw many talented Saudis and felt their happiness, both on stage and in the audience,” the envoy said.

Over more than 10 years in Saudi Arabia, Selmeci observed the transformative impact of Vision 2030, including societal reforms and economic diversification.

He added that social reforms — such as involving women in the workforce, increasing their participation across sectors, welcoming international visitors and events, and balancing tradition with modernization — laid the foundation for economic progress.

“Vision 2030 itself required great courage from the leadership and strong support from the Saudi people,” Selmeci said.

From the outset, Saudi society showed commitment to the reforms, leading to a more open and globally connected country, he added.

“These social and ongoing economic reforms have increased Saudi Arabia’s international presence and influence,” Selmeci said.

He added that the reforms have allowed foreigners to better understand the Kingdom and build trust, and that the dedication of both the government and the people provides a strong foundation for success.

Selmeci began his tenure as ambassador on Nov. 14, 2019, presenting his credentials to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Dec. 12, and to King Salman on Jan. 8, 2020.

Before then, he served in Riyadh as deputy head of mission from March 2014 to June 2018, marking more than a decade since he first began working to strengthen Saudi-Hungarian relations.

During his tenure, he oversaw the first-ever bilateral meeting between the two countries’ foreign ministers in the Kingdom, as well as the first bilateral meeting between their defense ministers.

Selmeci said that among the economic cooperation projects during his tenure, his favorites were the reestablishment of the Saudi-Hungarian Business Council, the launch of the Saudi-Hungarian Digitalization Cluster and the creation of the first Saudi-Hungarian joint venture in the Kingdom.

He also extended his best wishes to the Saudi people, encouraging them to continue working with determination toward a better life, making the country more prosperous while preserving its traditions and heritage.

Asked what message he would leave for his successor, Selmeci expressed hope that they would build on these achievements and accomplish even greater successes, while creating as many memorable experiences as he did.

He added that his successor could count on the full support of the Saudi leadership, officials, the people, the diplomatic corps and embassy staff.

In his closing remarks, the ambassador said he planned to return to the Kingdom in the future — “even as a simple tourist, to walk in King Salman Park, visit Qiddiya or attend Expo 2030.”


Open call for 12th Red Sea International Conference in Jeddah

Updated 14 July 2025
Follow

Open call for 12th Red Sea International Conference in Jeddah

  • Museums, heritage commissions invite experts to submit proposals for 2026 event
  • Grants available to successful bidders

JEDDAH: Experts in the fields of archaeology, history, anthropology, environmental studies and museum curation are being invited to apply to take part in the 2026 edition of the Red Sea International Conference.

The event, which will run from April 9-12, will be held at the Bab Al-Bunt building, which sits within Jeddah’s UNESCO-listed Historic District and is the future home of the Red Sea Museum.

Launched in 2002, the conference is regarded as a key platform for interdisciplinary dialogue on the Red Sea’s historical significance. Previous editions have been held in partnership with the British Museum, University of Southampton, University of Warsaw and University of Crete, among others.

The open call for the 2026 event was issued by Saudi Arabia’s Museums Commission and Heritage Commission. Participants will explore a broad range of themes, from ancient maritime trade and the archaeology of coastal cities and ports, to environmental history, underwater heritage and the Red Sea’s legacy as a crossroads of cultures linking Africa, Arabia and the Indian Ocean.

Anyone interested in taking part should submit an abstract, limited to 300 words and written in English, to rsm.info@moc.gov.sa by Oct. 15. Poster proposals are also welcomed and will be reviewed by a scientific committee.

To support broad participation in the conference, the commissions will provide five grants to cover the cost of travel, accommodation and registration to researchers whose papers are accepted.

Priority will be given to applicants from the Red Sea region and developing countries.

By hosting the conference in Jeddah, the commissions aim to bolster Saudi Arabia’s academic and cultural standing, while reaffirming the Red Sea’s enduring significance as a living archive of human history, exchange and civilization.


MWL chief, Uzbek Islamic leader meet in Makkah

Updated 14 July 2025
Follow

MWL chief, Uzbek Islamic leader meet in Makkah

  • Al-Issa highlighted the center’s vital role in promoting Islamic civilization, addressing misunderstandings, and combating negative stereotypes
  • Abdukhalikov, on behalf of Uzbekistan, expressed pride and appreciation for the league’s efforts in the Islamic community and its esteemed international standing

MAKKAH: Secretary-General of the Muslim World League Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa recently received Firdavs Abdukhalikov, president of the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, and his delegation in Makkah.

Al-Issa highlighted the center’s vital role in promoting Islamic civilization, addressing misunderstandings, and combating negative stereotypes, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Abdukhalikov, on behalf of Uzbekistan, expressed pride and appreciation for the league’s efforts in the Islamic community and its esteemed international standing.

He also praised Al-Issa’s representation of Muslims during his speech at the UN’s inaugural International Day to Combat Islamophobia, held at the General Assembly’s invitation.

Also in Makkah, Al-Issa met Mohammed Samir Al-Naqshbandi, Iraq’s consul general in Saudi Arabia, who paid a farewell visit at the end of his term.