Hatim Al-Masoudi

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

MAKKAH — The District Court in Jeddah sentenced a woman to one day in prison and 30 lashes for abusing members of the Commission of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (Hai’a) in Makkah.



The punishment came after the woman was found guilty of throwing her shoe at a Hai’a member.



The incident occurred when the Hai’a men had stopped a young man and his sister in Al-Nakasa neighborhood after noticing their car had been involved in a minor accident. When they asked the man to produce his ID, a heated argument developed and at some point, the woman disembarked from the car and threw her shoe at one of the Hai’a members.



After her sentencing, the woman said she respected the court’s decision. “Regardless of what happened, I hope the Hai’a will advocate a culture of tolerance and forgiveness with the public instead of being harsh with them.



This incident happened at a bad time, which resulted in my unacceptable behavior,” she said.