| Unpopularity of Saudi religious police Jul 16th 2012, 07:45 At the beginning of the year, the head of the religious police was sacked by the king, who appointed someone thought to be a bit more liberal. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16549295 Quote:
some Saudis have complained openly the religious police is growing more aggressive.
Its officers roam the streets enforcing strict segregation of the sexes, an absolute prohibition of the sale and consumption of alcohol, a ban on women driving and many other social restrictions.
Those who refuse to obey their orders are often beaten and sometimes put in jail.
Correspondents say public criticism of the religious police was once rare, but now its role is openly discussed. There have been several incidents recently when it has been accused of overstepping its authority.
In 2002, 14 girls died in a fire at their school in Mecca after religious police officers allegedly prevented male rescuers from entering.
| Now there is more trouble. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18843402 Quote:
A family in Saudi Arabia has accused religious police of being responsible for a fatal car accident.
Morality police argued with the driver of a car listening to children's songs with his family in a park in Baha province, reports say.
The driver, Abdulrahman al Ghamdi, drove off and was pursued by the police at speed before losing control of the car and dying in the crash.
The officers involved have been detained and are being questioned...
...The Emir of the Baha region is reported to have said he was appalled at how the religious police behaved...
...Incidents like this will only add to a public mood that is increasingly impatient with what many Saudis see as the religious police's arbitrary interference in their lives.
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