Women get the vote in Saudi Arabia

[pampango]

Source: Euronews

It has been described as an extraordinary development.

Women in the ultra-conservative kingdom of Saudi Arabia are to be given the right to vote and stand in municipal elections.

The announcement was made by the Saudi monarch, King Abdullah, at the opening of a new session of the Shura council. He also said women would be allowed to join the advisory council as full members and the changes will take effect from next year.

There is intense debate in the country about the role of women in society and it is hoped this decision will help ease some of the tension.

Read more: http://www.euronews.net/2011/09/25/women-get-the-vote-in-saudi-arabia/

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It's only municipal elections at this point, but a big change for Saudi Arabia.

[Warpy]

1. Most of that tension is because they can't DRIVE

Think about that. They can't get out of the house to do some grocery shopping unless they persuade some male off the sofa to act as chauffeur.

Had they simply issued driver's licenses and mandated the abaya without the face covering niqab for drivers, they wouldn't have had to liberalize anything else.

[Confusious]

2. Only 110 years after the vile United States.

sarcasm on the vile part.

[Sancho]

3. Saudi Arabia will change now...

:woohoo:

[Sancho]

4. Saudi Arabia will change now...

:woohoo:

[OnyxCollie]

5. If elections could change things, they would be made illegal.

The House of Saud offers the illusion of democracy to women in order to avoid an Arab spring.

[ZombieHorde]

6. Wow, super awesome. nt

[kestrel91316]

7. Let me guess - they also don't allow secret ballots, and women's votes

are weighted at 1/10th that of men's votes??

[hue]

8. They know the prohibition for women driving has nothing to do with Islam.

All other Islamic cultures allow their women to drive.

In fact covering hair with hijab is never mentioned in the Qur'an. The Qur'an promoted modesty for
both men and women, but no mandate for hijab and certainly not burqa. Those "mandates" were developed later
in the hadith and fiqh.
It seems strange to me that Islamic women are so adamant about following the words of other scholars and writings
above the voice of Allah(swt). In Islam The Qur'an is the voice of Allah(swt) and it seems no one is listening
because they are following other voices/mandates. In this way other books/writings are held equal or above Allah's(swt)
which is shirk. I realize that the hijab represents a Muslim woman's affiliation with Her religion and committment to
modesty but it seems like a fad or being part of a group. We will each be judged individually.

I am so happy for any progress made in the recognition of women as equal individuals with men!
But for any of my sisters anywhere on this planet, don't be surprised if a backlash cometh!

[jmowreader]

9. Let me know when they retire the muttawa

It doesn't much matter if women now have the vote, if they're also getting caned because someone accidentally sees one of their ankles in broad daylight.