(Undated) — A new Pew Research analysis suggests 17 nations are using the police to enforce religious norms. Researchers say data shows most of the countries are in the Middle East and North Africa, with some in Southeast Asia. They cite Saudi Arabia’s use of the Muttawa police force to make sure women can’t drive, a ban on alcohol, and anti-Valentine’s Day patrols due to the country’s interpretation of Islam. Also cited is Vietnam’s crackdown on Dega Protestants or Ha Mon Catholics and how the Hisbah in Nigeria enforce sharia law. Pew says their researchers didn’t find any religious police in Europe or the Americas.
