There have been interesting developments in the Saudi religious police (the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice) following the appointment of Sheikh Abdullatif al-Sheikh as its chief earlier this month.

Al-Sheikh is a religious scholar who specialises in women's issues. According to Asharq Alawsat, he is "well-known for his moderate approach on the issue of gender mixing; and is also known as a strong proponent of the concept of Saudi women working in stores that cater to a female clientele". He is not totally opposed to gender-mixing but distinguishes between the "respectable" and "unrespectable" kind.

He is quoted as saying:

"Gender mixing is imposed by necessity and requirement, and is not something new today or in this era, for this was present in ancient times, and is something that exists in the heart of Islam. Anybody who does not acknowledge this must read the history of our religion, and books of Islamic jurisprudence and interpretation.

"Islamic sharia law did not completely ban gender mixing, but rather it placed this within the limits of vouchsafing freedom for men and women. This is the disciplined freedom that conforms with the regulations of Islamic Sharia law to protect dignity and prevent wrongdoing that destroys family, society, and human dignity."

Al-Sheikh has also taken steps to stop the religious police being used as a vehicle for citizen vigilantism. Anonymous tip-offs will no longer be acted upon: the complainants will have to identify themselves. Hoaxes and false reports have been the main cause of criticism of the religious police in the past, al-Sheikh says.

Similarly, "volunteers" (ie vigilante types) – another cause of grievances among the public – will no longer be allowed to serve in the force.

These are all positive moves, as Hussein Shabokshi notes in an article for Asharq Alawsat. In the long run, though, reform of the religious police is no substitute for abolition.

Posted by Brian Whitaker, 24 January 2012.