Umm Al-Qura University, represented by the Higher Institute for Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil, celebrated the graduation of 67 new students from the affiliates of the General Presidency for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, representing the fourth class of the graduates of the "Hisbah Higher Diploma", yesterday evening, at King Abdulaziz Historical Hall in Al-Abdiyyah. The celebration was held in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Sa`d Al-Shathri, a member of the Council of Senior Scholars and Advisor to the Royal Court, the President of the General Presidency for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, Dr. Abdul-Rahman bin Abdullah Al-Sanad, His Excellency the UQU President, Prof. Abdullah bin Omar Bafail, vice presidents of the university, deans of the colleges, and a number of officials from the General Presidency for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice.

The Dean of the Higher Institute for Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil, Dr. Abdul-Wahhab Al-Risaini, announced 9 seats had been allocated for members of the General Presidency for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice in the programs of the institute, for those who met the general conditions of admission. The programs are: the MSc program "Hisbah" major, the Higher Diploma of Intellectual Security and Shari`ah-Based Guidance, and the Higher Diploma of the Accredited Trainer Diploma in legal programs.

Fruitful Cooperation:

Dr. Al-Risaini said that a partnership had been formed between the General Presidency and the university, represented in the cooperation with the qualified staff for them to teach some courses of the higher diploma for the students to gain scientific and practical expertise. He indicated that during this year admission was opened, as an exception, in the second-semester in the postgraduate programs, under the request and attention of Dr. Al-Sanad and the approval of Prof. Bafail.

The graduates' speech was delivered on their behalf by the graduate student Ali Al-Homami, who said, "We have spent a year of study at the UQU Higher Institute for Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil, which represented for us a path of knowledge and science from where we learned the noblest sciences, the most important knowledge, and the most precious benefits." He continued, explaining, "We have been taught by noble teachers and have benefited even more from their good reputation than their scientific expertise, and even more from their morals than their knowledge. In such a way, they were the best assistants to us during our studies, and their help reflected positively on our scientific achievement in this diploma."

The attendees watched a visual presentation about the Higher Institute for Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil, which included its strategic mission and vision and future objectives that are compatible with the strategies of the university vision derived from the Saudi Vision 2030.

His Excellency the President of Umm Al-Qura University, Prof. Abdullah bin Omar Bafail, pointed out that education and training are among the top features which help the departments in developing and boosting the skills of their staff and improving their knowledge and cognitive level, and that the partnership between the UQU and the General Presidency for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice comes to boost and maintain this aspect. He praised the great support and care that the university enjoys from the wise leadership, which contributed to its educational mission and community partnership. He also lauded the keenness and attention of the President of the General Presidency for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, Dr. Abdul-Rahman bin Abdullah Al-Sanad, in being present at the celebration to share the graduates happiness, and praised the efforts exerted by the Dean of the Higher Institute for Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil and all the staff of the deanship for their constant keenness to develop its programs to keep pace with new updates.

The President of the General Presidency for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, Dr. Abdul-Rahman bin Abdullah Al-Sanad, stressed that no member of the general presidency can practice this profession without passing the Higher Diploma of Hisbah. He continued, "Enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil is a great honor that must be felt and carried out according to the legal requirements." He then appreciated the support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz (may Allah safeguard them).