mutawas
Mutawas is a term that has been used to refer to religious police or morality police in various Muslim-majority countries. Historically, the concept of mutawa draws from the Islamic principle of "enjoining good and forbidding evil" (al-amr bi-l-ma'ruf wa-n-nahy 'ani-l-munkar). This principle is derived from the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, advocating for the promotion of virtuous behavior and the discouragement of vice within the community.
The specific roles and powers of mutawas have varied significantly across different regions and time periods.
The activities of mutawas have been a subject of considerable debate and international attention. Critics often