Sat, May 10th, 2014

http://www.arabnews.com/news/568521

The head of the Saudi anti-corruption body has called on Saudi citizens to report cases of corruption and raise their children in an environment rich in values, good manners and honesty.

This observation was made by the chairman of the National Anti-corruption Commission or Nazaha, Mohammad Al-Sharif, at an anti-corruption seminar hosted by Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University here this week.

He said fighting corruption in the Kingdom is a national responsibility not limited to a certain individual or party, but the duty of society as a whole.

The event was attended by prominent scholars, including Grand Mufti Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, who is also the chairman of the Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and fatwas (religious edicts), and Royal Court Consultant Saleh bin Humaid. IMSIU rector Sulaiman Aba Al-Khail was also present.

The seminar, under the theme, “Developing the religious motive as a means to protect integrity and combat corruption,” was held to highlight the role of Islamic teachings in safeguarding integrity and combating corruption.

Al-Sharif pointed out that since the government did not turn a blind eye to the presence of corruption, it has adopted a national strategy to check this menace.

“This strategy is based on Islamic teachings. Hence it is guided by Islam throughout its plans, goals and means. The best way to achieve this strategy is through constant cooperation with competent authorities,” he noted.

The Nazaha official said that Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah had issued the decree setting up the commission in line with God’s saying: “And seek not corruption on the earth. Verily, Allah likes not the mufsideen (the mischievous, the corrupt).” 

He pointed out that Islamic Shariah combats corruption and ensures that society, citizens and future generations are free from its evils and adverse impact.

He added that the decree guarantees that the commission implements this strategy in a way that ensures its complete autonomy and noninterference in its work. 

He also gave it powers relating to the protection of integrity, strengthening of transparency and fighting all forms of financial and administrative corruption, in addition to overseeing that various kinds of services, such as health, roads, water etc. are offered to the citizens in line with the highest standards.