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| Arabia |
| Yemen creates 'virtue and vice' committee |
| 2008-07-22 |
| Yemen's conservative leaders, Islamist opposition and tribal leaders have formed an "unnatural" alliance to fight growing depravity, local newspapers said on Wednesday. Known as the "Committee for the promotion of virtue and prevention of vice" -- reminiscent of that backed by the religious police in neighboring Saudi Arabia -- the group was formed late on Tuesday at a meeting in the Yemeni capital. Delegates, united under the slogan "May the ship (Yemen) not sink," expressed alarm at what they said was growing depravity in society, including drinking of alcohol, mixing of sexes in schools, "depraved" television shows and uncontrolled access to the Internet. They also denounced the "sex trade" and use of drugs, without however mentioning the widespread, traditional chewing of qat, a mildly intoxicating leaf. Some Yemenis see this as a major social problem, undermining the economies of many households and affecting the efficiency of the country's work force. The committee is chaired by Sheikh Abdul Majid Al-Zindani who is wanted by the U.S. authorities on charges of supporting terrorism. |
| Posted by:Fred |