Ban on Sale of Pet Cats, Dogs

[Kickoutthejams23]

JEDDAH, 24 August 2006 — The Makkah governorate, acting on a request from the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, has decided to prohibit the sale of pet cats and dogs. The commission made the request after it noticed many young Saudis going out in streets with their pet dogs in violation of the Kingdom’s culture and traditions.

Saudi authorities in Jeddah have begun enforcing the decision.

The commission complained of Saudi youth, apparently influenced by Western culture, bringing their pets into public places, allegedly causing distress especially to families with young children.

Arab News learned that the Jeddah Municipality had received a letter from the Makkah governorate banning sales of pet dogs and cats in the city.

link http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=86133&d=24&m=8&y=2006

[Missy M]

1. Geez, why isn't Bush interested in making Saudi Arabia a....

democracy? I would like to know how dogs and cats can affect 'virtue' and bring about 'vice'. If it wasn't so pathetic is would be laughable.

[Anakin Skywalker]

2. Look What Paris Hilton Has Inspired!

[pooja]

3. Everyone does realize why dogs are so bad to devout Muslims?

Its the reason why dogs at prisons/ camps are so terrifying to Muslims....

[sarge43]

5. Yes, but cats aren't

The story goes Muhammad cut the sleeve from his robe rather than wake a kitten sleeping inside of it.

[azurnoir]

6. Don't know why

but here is a story about why God created dogs and cats

http://www.furryfolks.com/furfun/humor_dogs_vs_cats.htm

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. No why?

[pooja]

9. here are concerns on a posting board:

tanwir - Pakistan

Title
A Dog Touched My Clothes: How to Cleanse Them

Question
As-Salamu `alaykum! I am keeping a pet dog at my home. Sometimes, it touches me and its skin and fur simply touch my clothes. Kindly tell whether I can perform prayer with the same clothes or I should change them. Thank you

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503544896

With dogs the saliva and the dog in general are traditionally unclean. So, when a "police dog" is snarling and salvating at a Muslim, they are petrified that they will become unclean.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/intouch_20060620.shtml

here is transcript concerning an issue with taxi cab drivers and seeing eye dogs... the driver didn't want the dog anywhere near him or his car...

"Ibrahim, could you first of all perhaps just explain the situation and may be put it in terms of its religious cultural and geographical background?

Mogra
Sure. Well Islam teaches that all animals and all of God's creatures need to be cared for and looked after. However, there are certain things which are part and parcel of an animal's body or go through the animal's system that are regarded as impure. So, for example, blood, human and animal waste and dog saliva is regarded as ritually impure. So that if it were to touch my body or my clothes I'd have to wash that part or change my clothes before I could say my prayers. "

there is a lot of propaganda within the interview... but if you are taught that dogs are unclean and are bad, then you might freak out too.

[orleans]

11. why? why are dogs bad to devout muslims?

i know those pics i saw of the dog growling in someone's face--hell, who wouldn't be scared of that?

[bluestateguy]

4. The can do whatever they want in that medieval country

I just wish we would have nothing to do with them.

[pooja]

7. I find it a bit inspiring. The young are so influenced. They see the

modern world and emmulate it. Maybe they will try to adopt more progressive ideas along with their pets.

[JCMach1]

10. They hate us for our pets now obviously...

I actually would agree with the Saudi government here. Young inexperienced people are taking pets into public places like parks and not controlling them.

Green spaces in the Gulf are packed with family and small children (much more so than in the US). We have even had a couple of incidents with people being bitten on our campus by people not controlling their dogs properly.

Most puppies that get imported here come from European puppy mills in eastern europe. The tend to have all the breeding and health problems that one associates with these disgusting places. They animal markets here are also bad for animals. Think young puppies in 45 centigrade heat (small cage).

Salukis on the other hand have been a tradition here for centuries. Emiratis love and care for their pets. A good friend of mine (young guy/ also a sheikh) has two wolf-dogs he brought from the states. They live in his villa and sleep at the foot of his bed.

[LosinIt]

12. The Makkah governorate says that, but what about the Makkahkahs?

You knew it was only a matter of time until some sick sumgun brought that up didn't you??

[QuettaKid]

13. not impressed.

[The Stranger]

14. Why is this here? This isn't LBN -- this is Lounge material.