mutawa

The mutawa, also known as the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, was a religious police force in Saudi Arabia. Its mandate was to enforce the kingdom's strict interpretation of Islamic law, Sharia. This included regulating public behavior, ensuring proper dress codes for men and women, prohibiting public displays of affection, and enforcing prayer times. The mutawa also had the authority to intervene in cases of alleged sorcery and other practices deemed un-Islamic.

The mutawa's activities were often controversial, both domestically and internationally. Critics accused them of excessive zeal, arbitrary enforcement of rules, and human rights abuses. Supporters argued that the mutawa played a vital role in maintaining public morality and upholding Islamic values in Saudi society. The organization's powers and influence have evolved over time. In recent years, reforms have aimed to curtail some of the mutawa's more intrusive functions, with a greater emphasis on guidance and advice rather than strict enforcement. The exact nature and scope of their operations continue to be a subject of discussion and change within Saudi Arabia.