Amidst constant controversy and war of words between supporters and opponents, attempts to establish the Authority for Promotion of Virtue and Suppression of Vice have failed. Such a controversy was reported in media and electronic websites.

Intellectuals, journalists and citizens harshly criticized the authority, adopted by Sheikh Abdul Majeed Al-Zindani and Sheikh Hamoud Hashim Al-Dharhi, and saw no need for its establishment.

Commenting on opposing ideas of some journalists and thinkers, Al-Dharhi pointed out that those opposed Al-Zindani and his call for the establishment of the authority are vice proponents.

Al-Dharhi also criticized newspapers that opposed his call and hinted they opened their doors for malicious writers with doubtful links.

He continued that those who oppose the authority of virtue are like Jews and Christians in their morals, stressing that abolishing the Suppression of Vice Authority has been the wish of heteroclite people and vice proponents.

The call came following a meeting that involved Yemeni Scholars Society and President Saleh held in mid May; however, the differences and the opposing attitudes of the authority scholars propagating the authority to delay its announcement though they were about to get presidential directives and budget for its official announcement. 

Likewise, the call was widely debated during the sessions of the Political and Religious Toleration Symposium organized by Cultures Bridge Forum which was presided by the President’s Advisor on Political Issues Abdul Karim Al-Eryani.

Deputy Commander of Central Security Forces Colonel Yahya Mohammed Abdullah Saleh stressed that the call is late, especially when his forces are spread nationwide and capable of keeping security and peace.

Diplomat Ahmed Al-Kibsi agreed with Saleh and noted that the idea is adopted by the Salafi Stream which he considered to be a reason for backwardness inside the country, hinting the country is not in need for such authorities.

The authority's project draft prepared under direct supervision of Sheikh Al-Zindani, director of Al-Eman University, contains the same objectives and articles included in the law of the Saudi Authority.

Zaidi scholars were not removed from this and Sheikh Al-Murtadha Zaid Al-Muhatwari, a famous Zaidi scholar, criticized the authority, hinting it is like someone who went for a disease and later seeks medication. 

Al-Muhatwari went on to say that how can a citizen accept to be hunted in streets by a Mutaw'a (a member from the authority)? He referred in this to what was happening in Saudi Arabia.

He maintained that the real scholars disappeared by the end of the Wise (Rasheeda)Caliphate era, adding people have for long seen numerous scholars whose sole task is to eulogize and issue Fatwa, citing that some issued a Fatwa calling for fighting in Sa'ada though President Saleh wants to stop war there.

Mohammed Abdul Malik Al-Mutawakel stated that the authority plays the role of inspection courts, emphasizing it harms Islam and runs counter to human rights.

Al-Matawakel continued that everything in Islam is permissible and nothing stops a Muslim save a text from the Quran or Sunnah, emphasizing individual's rights in Islam are restricted by the rights of others.

He added that this authority is unwanted as it is merely added to several authorities and organizations that overburden the state budget, without having a real job to do.

In return, journalists waged a fierce attack against the call and described the authority’s task to be a watch dog after people in streets, cities and public parks.

Others described it to be some sort of alliance between the government and the Salafi stream, assuring it is part of dictatorship and dominance culture.

Likewise, several journalists advised the authority proponent to speak of the merits of wise governance instead of claiming safeguarding of morality and virtue, stressing that combating poverty is part of combating vice.

However, several preachers and Sheikhs waged a violent attack against what they called some aspects vice existing mainly because of the absence of authority.