Things You Will Only Find in Saudi Arabia

The Mutawa, or Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, were once a powerful force in Saudi society. They patrolled streets enforcing public morality, from prayer attendance to dress codes. Their presence was a defining feature of Saudi life for decades.

Though their powers have been reduced in recent years, the legacy of the Mutawa remains. To visitors, the idea of a religious police force is strikingly unique. Their existence illustrates Saudi Arabia’s deep intertwining of faith and governance, and how religion has long shaped daily public life.