This is a continuation of yesterday’s post about the recent aggression on the part of the Muttawa. Today’s post provides some information on what to do if you are a woman and confronted by a muttawa.
Some of this information has been extracted from a reputable newsgroup and other data I have added based on experience here:
A company’s Government Relations Officer advised about woman’s rights when it came to the detention by the mutawwa and the police. Especially after reading
that incident of the woman in Riyadh it is important women (and others) in the Kingdom know what to do and what is or is not allowable.
1. A mutawwa or police officer is not supposed to take a woman into custody by herself. It is the right of every woman, Saudi or not, to call her husband or guardian (mahram) to the scene and he will than go with them, as will she, to settle the matter
2. If your man (husband, father, brother, uncle) is not around, giving identification where you can be found or your guardian (mahram) can be found (or anyone in charge) so they can follow up is fine. They are NOT TO TAKE you.
If you do not have ID, you can use your drivers if he is under your sponsorship and have one.
If not you ask for a police escort, in which they FOLLOW your vehicle or taxi to your residence. You than give them your ID or copy of your ID and any business card you may have of your man (husband, father, brother, uncle). (or guardian/mahram). They are not supposed to detain you, take you or apprehend you in any way unless you have a male guardian or anyone appointed that is male and on your side.
You can’t just walk away from them, you have to wait for a resolution. So if you are having a cup of coffee and they want to take you, remain seated call your man (husband, father, uncle, brother) and wait. Even if he has to fly in.. do not move.
Do not go to their vehicle, do not step outside, remain where you are, and get comfy. If it takes forever, surrender ID and contact information and that should be enough. If not, and he is not to with a police officer have them call one, two, even a captain or someone higher up the chain and resolve it.
There have been cases where women have been dumped in the desert, stranded on the street, and even harmed when they have went alone with these men. So don’t go, this is our legal right.
And of course never ever ever ever sign a confession you can’t read. Or any legal document for that matter. You have a right to have it translated by proper professionals into your language. The Arabic one will stand in the court, but it is your right to know what you are signing or confessing to.
Filed under: culture, gender, islam, politics, relationships, religion, Saudi Arabia, Saudi culture, Saudi customs, travel, Uncategorized
I can’t for the life of me understand why anybody who has a choice would live in such a place.
OMG, they kinda sound like the Gustapo.
While to many from the outside it may appear there should be a choice on where one can and cannot live, sometimes there are likely other factors that may not be readily apparent why one must stay in environments vastly different to what one is accustomed. Anyone coming to the Kingdom should certainly acquaint themselves well with the laws, regulations and customs and from there, find their particulary way to a successful and happy transition.
It will be interesting to see with the Yara incident and these other various increased incidents how government officials will respond or how Saudis themselves are going to react. These incidents could indeed be a turning point for the status and future of the muttawa but only time will tell.
I would buy the idea that a visitor should familiarize themselves with laws and regulations if the keepers of the law actually knew the law themselves or showed any interest in following it. When those charged with upholding the law routinely break it, what is the point in knowing it? It’s like playing cards with a stacked deck.
razzbufnic: Besides these kind of harassments, and injustices, most people love their country. A country also means family and friends. And one always hopes things might get better, and they seem to be (very slooowly) getting better.
And ”just leaving” is in reality a very big step.
PS nice blog you have
I’m glad she has Al Lahem to represent her: I’m a big fan!
I really never understood why she went with this man: he didn’t have any kind of identification, and was alone. It could have been any-one! I suppose she should actually be happy thet at least he really was from the commission for the promotion of vice and prevention of virtue.
I read in their insipid justification that they don’t like being called ”the religious police” so lets call them that. }:)
Thanks for posting this important information. (in case I ever do come and visit)
I’ve only just noticed I’m on your blogroll: I’m tickled pink!
Tonight I’m posting cats in your honour!
This so called “religious police: are realling harming the concept of Islam I think. Why doesn’t the Sauds step in and put some order to these men?
Because there is a ”religious” faction that think’s they’re a really good idea.
Carol, you’ve inspired me to post a story of my own on my blog. Thanks for these guidelines. They are critially important.
While the religious police provide a real threat to women in the Kingdom, you are right to observe that any woman can make a happy and safe adjustment to living in the Kingdom, simply by learning and observing certain guidelines. In all my twelve years of living there and going out in public frequently, I only had two muttawa encounters, and one encounter with a group of Saudi boys were who after my daughter. I also had three encounters with perverts following me, while I was walking alone in broad daylight. I’ll post those stories as time goes on. We should all collect our muttawa stories and publish an anthology!
Cool! I’ll do the illustrations!
Carol,
I would like to know,since my Arabic vocabulary consists of about 10 words!,will these “RELIGIOUS POLICE!” be able to converse in English also? Just curious! Thanks!
Considering their reported IQ-level I would think that highly unlikely.
Whenever anyone travels to a foreign country, they are usually presumed to know the laws of the country. When I was a criminal defense attorney in the US – I frequently had to tell foreigners that claim of ignorance of the law was not a valid defense.
With respect to the Muttawa, I think you are correct in telling women that they stay in a public place and refuse to go with these men, but I also know that some law enforcement officials believe that the ends justify the means and will do whatever they want to accomplish their goals. This can include threatening children and other loved ones. It was not uncommon in my experience to have police officers “persuade” a man to confess by threatening to arrest his wife and take her to jail.
I have to wonder why Saudi Arabia has these type of law enforcement officers who must be accompanied by a police officer. Can they not be trusted? If so, why are they in this position of authority?
Carol
Thanks for a detailed account of “how to” with all the helpful hints and tips.
In the UK too there has been (OK we don’t have the Muttawa) incidents of people posing as police officers complete with flashing lights and uniform or plain clothes, who pose a danger to women.
Hi All! Sorry that I am so late in responding to all the great comments but our LAN crashed last night and just now am back online.
I’m glad everyone is appreciative of the guidelines and insights. In regards to whether they speak English, the American women whom I know who were approaching in Hayat Mall and ordered to cover their heads were encountered by a muttawa accompanied by a police officer. They advised that the muttawa was well-groomed, UNBEARDED (which is quite unusual) and spoke flawless English.
Obviously there are a lot of “behind-the-scenes” politics in regards to why the muttawa still exist and under the present regime. In KSA, change will take place but always at Saudi time. Therefore (in my view at least) any reigning King cannot just unilaterally say “halas, the muttawa will be no more.” To do so would literally create a revolt among the religious conservative here that the government cannot afford. However I still do not understand nor have an answer explaining why the muttawa have doubled in force since King Abdullah has come to reign.
Aafke,
LOL!LOL!
Peace & Blessings!
Really interest post – thanks for this Carol.
you are all welcome!
http://marahm.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/a-muttawa-story/#comments
I encourage everyone to read Mahrahm’s Muttawa experience. The question I have is if this had happened today, in light of the Starbuck’s incident, what do you (Mahrahm) think you might have done differently? Should this have been reported to the HR commission? Or because as you said, you were visiting at the time it needed to be kept as a quiet incident?
Very interesting and enlightening read on the skewered mindset of the muttwawa and what they believe they can “rightfully” get away with…
Thanks for all this important information! To date, I have not yet even seen a Muttawa – I keep telling my husband to point them out to me if he sees any! Having religious police for the purpose of keeping people in line with the religious edicts really tarnishes my idea of what religion means to me. To have religion forced on people – I just don’t like it. The Muttawas just seem like bullies to me. I hope I never have a “Muttawa Encounter!”
Hi Susie,
Fortunately in Jeddah you are less likely to see or have a muttawa encounter than if you wree in Riyadh or Qassim. I hope you get to make it to Riyadh. I’ve written several posts on the distinctions between Riyadh and Jeddah and Jeddah is so much like a different country in many ways let alone a different city!
Regards,
Carol