On January 15, 2024, during a recent parliamentary session, the Committee for Promoting Values and Addressing Negative Phenomena addressed public taste and moral violations in public spaces, with a particular focus on the mingling phenomenon that has been seen in some health clubs.

The committee’s head, MP Muhammad Hayef, gave an interview to the media at the media center of the National Assembly. He disclosed that the committee looked into health club-related matters in great detail, considering the many citizen complaints regarding ethical and legal transgressions that these establishments were committing. Participants in the meeting were asked to include representatives from the Municipality and the Ministry of Commerce in order to address concerns and talk about the enforcement of current laws and regulations. Haif stressed that locations such as health clubs are subject to the rules established by the Ministry of Municipality, in addition to general stores. Referencing the ruling of the Minister of State for Municipal Affairs, Hayef clarified that the regulations specifically forbid retailers from conducting business in a way that is incompatible with Sharia laws, as established by official fatwas. Furthermore, the rules expressly prohibit the employment of people of one gender in jobs that are typically held by people of the other gender, such as men working in women’s beauty salons or vice versa.

Trade rulings strengthen and support these bans even more. Hayef emphasized the committee’s crucial role in enacting new legislation and making sure that it is implemented, as well as its obligation to hold authorities accountable for upholding these rules.

Among the committee’s many duties are battling unethical behavior, interacting with organizations such as the Anti-Corruption Commission regarding matters of bribery and nepotism, and working with the Ministry of Education to address exam cheating. Hayef emphasized the committee’s commitment to tackling a variety of societal issues and cited a recent proposal for a law on commercial fraud that aims to close legal gaps that exist in common law across Gulf Cooperation Council nations.

This proposed law will be presented to the Council with the intention of addressing gaps in the existing legal framework. Hayef praised the workers and observers in the ministry for their efforts to enforce the laws and rules in place. In addition, he conveyed his gratitude and admiration for the citizens who expose unethical behavior, acknowledging that they play a critical role in preventing institutions from enforcing values that are at odds with the society’s religious convictions, cultural norms, and customs. The committee, led by Hayef, works to establish a precedent in the Council to protect social norms and values from invasive and harmful phenomena that endanger the fabric of society. Haif called for teamwork to overcome these obstacles and protect the community’s cultural integrity.