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johnslat

From The Arab News

JEDDAH: The Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice is currently conducting training courses in English for the commission members in Riyadh in collaboration with the British Council.
�With the help of the British Council, the commission plans to train 90 percent of its field agents in various provinces in the Kingdom in the English language,� Abdul Mohsen Al-Qafari, official spokesman of the commission, told Arab News on Friday.
�It is because English is understood by most of the people the commission is dealing with, particularly in issues related to moral behavior and violations of religious laws,� he added.
Stressing the importance of constantly training the commission�s members and workers, the spokesman said the commission was starting training programs in three regions beginning Saturday.
The course in Taif is focusing on media relations and skills that help them discharge their duties in an effective and smooth manner. The course in the Eastern Province will train the members on how to handle confidence rackets involving the purported use of black magic.
The course in Riyadh is organized in collaboration with the Imam Muhammad bin Saud University to instruct the members in field activities and communication skills as well as in interacting with violators.
�The commission has completed courses to train its volunteer members in Abha. The course was conducted in collaboration with the Umm Al-Qura University with special emphasis on dealing with vacationers in Asir. Similar courses will also be held in Makkah province,� said Al-Qafari.
Al-Qafari said the commission has not received any orders to ban all public screening of films.
�If any order to ban cinema comes to us we will instantly announce the matter through the media,� he added.
Regards,
John

Noor · Joined: 06 May 2009 Posts: 152

Great role play potential here, but might be a short course. After all, what more do they need but practice with simple forms of interrogative and imperative.

johnslat · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 10:04 pm Post subject:

Dear Noor,
I used to have matawaas and/or mutawaa wannabes sprinkled throughout my classes. It's dangerous to generalize - a fair number of them had a darn good sense of humor - even about themselves.
After 9/11, one asked me, "Why Americans hate Saudis, Mr. John?" First, I told him that wasn't true, but if, at the moment, many Americans seemed to that might be because so many of those responsible for 9/11 had been Saudis.
He replied, "You here a long time, Mr. John. How many "terrorists" you meet?"
I replied, "Um, you mean besides yourself, Muhammed?"
He almost fell on the floor laughing.

You know, it might be a very interesting class to teach.

Regards,
John

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 11:59 pm Post subject:

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

Well, John, self-appointed muttawas in class and the authorized ones accompanied by uniformed officers are two entirely different entities. The latter's duties are punitive and/or imperative.

johnslat · Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 3:35 pm Post subject:

Dear Sheik,
Yes, I'm aware of that, which is why I posted this:

"I used to have matawaas and/or mutawaa wannabes sprinkled throughout my classes."

Regards,
John

P.S. The one in the anecdote WAS a matawa.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

In class it is often the case that the "Pious Ones" are the best students.