Professional Documents
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Review and monitoring functions are key components of Hisbah institutions' operations, as
they allow the organization to maintain control over the public and enforce adherence to
Islamic morality codes. However, implementing these functions can be challenging for a
number of reasons.
1. Legitimacy and legal frameworks: One of the primary challenges of implementing
review and monitoring functions is the issue of legitimacy. Some Hisbah institutions
operate in countries where their authority is not recognized by the national legal
system. In such cases, the institution may face legal challenges in implementing its
functions, and its activities may be viewed as extralegal or even illegal. Additionally,
some observers argue that Hisbah institutions' enforcement of moral codes violates
basic human rights, such as freedom of expression and privacy, which can further
undermine their legitimacy.
2. Staff training and recruitment: Another challenge in implementing review and
monitoring functions is finding and training qualified staff. Hisbah institutions need to
find individuals who are knowledgeable about Islamic morality codes, but who also
have the technical skills to perform surveillance and monitoring tasks effectively. This
can be particularly challenging in countries where education and technical training are
limited.
3. Balancing enforcement with public perception: Another challenge of implementing
review and monitoring functions is the need to balance the enforcement of Islamic
morality codes with public perception. Hisbah institutions need to be perceived as
legitimate by the public they serve, but also need to enforce Islamic morality codes
consistently and effectively. This can be difficult, as some activities that are prohibited
under Islamic law, such as drinking alcohol or listening to music, may be widely
accepted by some segments of the population.
4. Privacy concerns: The use of surveillance technologies raises concerns about privacy,
particularly in countries with weak legal frameworks for protecting individual rights.
Hisbah institutions may use a range of technologies, from CCTV cameras to social
media monitoring software, to track and monitor individuals' behavior. However,
these technologies may be intrusive and may infringe on individuals' privacy rights.
5. Limited resources: Finally, implementing review and monitoring functions requires
significant financial and logistical resources. Hisbah institutions need to invest in
technologies, staff training, and infrastructure to carry out their functions effectively.
However, these investments may be difficult to justify in countries with limited
resources, particularly if other pressing social and economic issues require attention.
References:
Almutairi, A. F. (2018). The sharia police and their impact on human rights in Saudi
Arabia. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, 8(1), 1-14.
N. A. Kassem and R. A. B. Ahmed, "Review of Sharia Enforcement Institutions
(Hisbah)," International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention, vol. 7,
no. 7, pp. 56-60, 2018.
Nasr, S. H. (2018). The sharia police and the battle for the soul of the Muslim world.
Oxford University Press.