Sana'a, Yemen - Yemeni conservative Muslim preachers on
Tuesday withdrew calls for the establishment of an organisation for
promoting virtue and combating vice after rights activists voiced
fears that religious police could undermine freedoms.
Around 4,000 preachers gathered at a conference centre in the
capital Sana'a and called instead for an annual meeting to discuss
violations against teachings of the Islamic law and public morals.
The gathering particularly criticised prostitution activities in
some cities and publicly serving alcohol at hotels and restaurants
frequented by foreigners and locals alike.
'Our society is being invaded by the viruses of vice that
destroyed the people, and it is necessary now to protect and guard
the religion and people,' fundamentalist Islamic leader Abdul-Majeed
al-Zendani said in an address to the gathering.
Authorities were quick to respond to the call and closed several
centres Tuesday, including a Chinese massage club and two restaurants
which serve alcohol in Sana'a.
A Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa reporter saw police units raiding
the three centres and forcing their workers out before they closed
down the facilities. However, no arrests were made.
Muslim scholars and lawmakers have called on the country's
President Ali Abdullah Saleh to allow the establishing of an
organisation for promoting virtue and combating vice to monitor
practices that are seen as violations to religious morals.
Non-government organisations and rights activists, however, warned
that such a body could by a copy of Saudi Arabia's religious police
who enforce moral standards based on strict interpretation of Islamic
law.
Yemen's population of 24 million is overwhelmingly Muslim and
religiously observant.
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