JEDDAH: The Shoura Council will vote on Monday (today) on a proposal to identify tasks of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (Haia) by issuing specific guidelines for the body’s members.

A Shoura member who proposed this recommendation called for clarifying cases that need Haia’s interference.

Abdullah Al-Harbi said malls and large centers must be forced to provide offices to Haia members to protect people from harassment and prevent any wrongful behaviors.

“There are more than 10 million expatriates from different religions living in the Kingdom. Most of them perform their religious rituals at their homes and in closed areas. While these expatriates have different social customs, they must be respected if they do not violate public laws,” he added.

“The proposal has been submitted for voting at the council on Monday, and it will help clarify the working of Haia and reduce mistakes of its members by limiting their authority in evaluating violations,” he added.

Meanwhile, Haia in Jeddah has sought the help of six government agencies to prevent the symbols and festivities of Christmas and New Year from being shown and celebrated in the city.

The Haia noted that manifestations of these holidays that should be banned include the distribution of Christmas cards and the adorning of trees with Christmas decorations.

The Jeddah Secretariat has demanded that government agencies work together to take precautionary measures to prevent hospitals, hotels, health centers and companies from holding Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The secretariat has also requested the bodies concerned to report any events relating to Christmas and New Year celebrations inside these facilities to the Haia immediately.

The government agencies included in a recent circulation from the Haia in which they were requested to monitor any manifestations of such celebrations were the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowment, Call and Guidance, Health Affairs Department, Commerce and Industry Chamber, the Secretariat and the Police Department.