ARists and Wahaabis-- separated at birth?

From Chas, this delightful tidbit:

"Saudi Arabia's religious police, normally tasked with chiding women to cover themselves and ensuring men attend mosque prayers, are turning to a new target: cats and dogs.

"The police have issued a decree banning the sale of the pets, seen as a sign of Western influence.

"The prohibition on dogs may be less of a surprise, since conservative Muslims despise dogs as unclean. But the cat ban befuddled many, since Islamic tradition holds that the Prophet Muhammad loved cats — and even let a cat drink from his ablutions water before washing himself for prayers."

(Snip)

""One bad habit spreading among our youths is the acquisition of dogs and showing them off in the streets and malls," wrote Aleetha al-Jihani in a letter to Al-Madina newspaper. "There's no doubt that such a matter makes one shudder."

" "Then what's the point of dragging a dog behind you?" he added. "This is blind emulation of the infidels."

"The decree has not been enforced yet, according to several pet shop owners and veterinary clinics in Jiddah. It applies only to selling dogs and cats, and there was no sign the Muttawa would confiscate pets."

Yet.

You needn't RTWT unless you want to be more depressed. This is the home of the SALUKI for God's sake!