DUBAI (AlArabiya.net)
An unknown group calling itself the Committee for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice declared a campaign in Gaza to hunt down all "slaves of the devil who commit blasphemy and roam the streets".
One of its first acts was to beat up a local singer in Gaza after he gave a concert in Khan Younis, according to the London-based Al-Quds Al-Arabi newspaper.
In a statement distributed in Khan Younis, the group said it has started "fighting corruption".
"Young people are our main target since they commit many transgressions whether name calling that involves God or through hanging out late at night in the streets, smoking and disturbing people."
The previously unknown group claimed responsibility for imposing their rules on two members of a big family in Khan Younis. They were severely beaten up for committing sins such as disrespect for God and disturbing people.
"That was a warning for them. Hopefully, they will come to their senses," the statement read.
There was no official comment from Hamas leaders on the acts or declarations of Gaza's self-styled religious police. The Gaza Strip has been under the control of the Islamic movement Hamas since mid June 2007.
The group, which claims it is independent, called for all youth to go back to their religion and resist temptations by the devil because "the devil's path leads to perdition."
The group is apparently modeled and named after a similar force in Saudi Arabia, though the latter is an official body.
In Saudi Arabia, members of the group patrol the streets to make sure people comply with the Islamic law. Penalties are imposed in cases like not observing the legitimate dress code, mingling of the sexes, roaming the streets at prayer time, consumption of alcohol, or taking part in Western-style practices. |
