Category Archives: Saudi Arabia

Al-Huraisi Killing Case: Commission Members Deny All Charges

11 November 2007 – 23:14

I mentioned previously that I would keep updating progress on this trial, involving as it does members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (the C-Men). Last Tuesday was a hearing day in the trial in Riyadh and proceedings from the trial were printed in the Arab News on [...]

By thomo the lost | Also posted in Middle East | Comments (2)

It’s Just Done This Way in Saudi Arabia

4 November 2007 – 11:45

A local employer issued the following request, in writing, to its staff:
[complete a dependants form] to support high organizational performance by nurturing a conducive working environment, we are updating the contact details of all employees and their dependents (sic) … to enable us to reach our colleagues at any time, as [they are] needed.
Of course, [...]

By thomo the lost | Also posted in Middle East | Comments (0)

The C-Men on Trial

1 November 2007 – 10:35

The Arab News reported in an article called Al-Huraisi Murder Trial Begins at Riyadh High Court concerning the start of the trial of two members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. These people have been charged with the murder of Salman Al-Huraisi during a raid by the muttawa looking [...]

By thomo the lost | Also posted in Middle East | Comments (0)

And the C-Men are in Court

30 October 2007 – 1:17

The hearing in the Al-Huraisi Murder Case is supposed to start today. You remember this one, it is the one where members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (the C-Men, or as I like to refer to them, the Ministry of Licentiousness and Lasciviousness - the muttawa) raided the [...]

By thomo the lost | Also posted in Middle East | Comments (0)

The C-Men Do Some Good

27 October 2007 – 22:08

I tend to spend a fair bit of time here in Thomo’s Hole pointing out the failings and the idiocy of the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (or as I prefer to think of them, the Ministry of Licentiousness and Lasciviousness - the muttawa). It seems, however, that the C-Men have [...]

By thomo the lost | Also posted in Middle East | Comments (3)

I Went To An Iftar Meal The Other Night

26 September 2007 – 21:37

It was a formal meal the other night. Iftar, the meal that is traditionally had by Muslims after fasting for the day. The sun sets, the azans call, a quick coffee (Arabic) and some dates and things to break the day’s fast, then a second call and Maghreb prayer. Straight after Maghreb it is into [...]

By thomo the lost | Also posted in Middle East | Comments (0)

Woman Attacks Vice Cops With Pepper Spray

26 September 2007 – 0:25

Following on from yesterday’s stupidity, the infamous C-Men (the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice or as I prefer to think of them, the Ministry for Lasciviousness and Licentiousness) have got in on the act. The Arab News reports two women calling them terrorists, one of them pepper spraying (“don’t [...]

By thomo the lost | Also posted in Middle East | Comments (0)

Stupid Place

25 September 2007 – 1:34

This picture is from the “family” seating area in the open food court at Sultan Mall in Jeddah. “Family” means not males without female companions. As you can see in the blurry photo, there is no one there. We were asked to move from there by the idiot security at this stupid mall because it [...]

By thomo the lost | Also posted in Middle East | Comments (0)

C-Men Avoid Court

19 September 2007 – 13:15

I’ve mentioned the shenanigans of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (the Ministry of Lasciviousness and Licentiousness) here in Saudi Arabia before. I’ve mentioned the usual things, like beating suspects to death or scaring innocent men so much that they have heart attacks. However, one of their better efforts I [...]

By thomo the lost | Also posted in Middle East | Comments (0)

Ramadan Again

15 September 2007 – 20:03

It’s Ramadan here again. Apart from being a blessed period of fasting and renewal for the Muslims, it also signifies a year here for me.
This time, though, I am out of here for the Eid holiday - unlike last year when I spent 9 days bored living in a hotel room playing computer games.
One year [...]

By thomo the lost | Also posted in Middle East | Comments (0)