Which ideas did the Saudis share with their US counterpart? Religious police, perhaps, to ensure that men and women don't eat together or go into cars?US Attorney General Eric Holder Jr. has shown interest in examining the Saudi Munasaha (Counseling) counter-terrorism program so as to apply it in the United States.
“Too many of our young people are disaffected and attracted to violent ideologies and so we want to work with our Saudi allies and examine the program and see how we might apply that in the United States,” he told a press conference at the US Embassy here Sunday.
“I’m more concerned about the threat from inside the US and people who turn to violent extremism,” he said, underscoring the importance of cooperation with the Saudi government to ensure the safety of both nations.
“We must work together, as equal partners, with a shared commitment to pursuing a world with more opportunity and less violence.”
Holder also expressed his enthusiasm for building programs supporting the Kingdom’s enactment of legal reforms and the continued dialogue between the two nations on the subjects of judicial and legal progress.
“I’ve also been impressed by the Justice Minister’s efforts with regard to the justice system here in this great nation. We have exchanged ideas and thoughts,” he continued, “and my hopes would be that some of the things we’ve tried in the United States may be useful here in Saudi Arabia and some of the ideas that the Justice Minister shared with me, I think, will be productive in the United States as well.”
Or perhaps it was Saudi Arabia's advanced criminal justice system, based on Islamic law, which includes public beheading, stoning, amputation and lashing. The death penalty can be given out for the crimes of adultery, apostasy, and sorcery. Its legal system also includes the ability, if a victim chooses, for retaliatory justice - a literal "eye for an eye."
But don't worry - they are advanced enough to considering replacing beheadings with firing squads, due to a shortage of qualified swordsmen.
I'm anxious to know which of these progressive Saudi practices interest the esteemed Mr. Holder.
(h/t Arnold. Al Gharqad)