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Finally some promising news out of Saudi Arabia, one of the most socially and politically repressive societies in the world today, where rape victims are punished, women are unable to socialize with men (that are not family members, not even cousins) and women must get permission (from men) to do pretty much anything. It also happens to be the only country in the world where all women (including foreigners) are not allowed to drive, except perhaps on back roads or their backyards.
But it looks like Saudi King Abdullah might finally be bringing the country into the 21st century, although I’m sure many will go kicking and screaming into the modern world. It seems Abdullah fired 2 hard-line religious leaders in a bid to reform the religious establishment, replacing them with 2 moderates. Sheik Ibrahim al-Ghaith (head of the notorious religious police) was replaced by Abdel Aziz bin Humain, and the cleric who issued a fatwa claiming it was perfectly okay
to kill the owners of television stations that broadcast immoral content
was replaced by Saleh bin Humaid.
He also, surprisingly, appointed a female to his cabinet, as a deputy minister, to oversee girls’ education. This is a first, for a country that is decidedly patriarchal.
Abdullah has also said the first priority on his agenda is to reform the judicial system whereby
Judges currently have complete discretion in issuing sentences, except in cases where Islamic law outlines a punishment, such as capital crimes.
That discretion has led to cases that have drawn widespread condemnation. In one, a woman from the eastern city of Qatif was raped but received more lashes than one of her seven assailants. The judge ordered the punishment because she was in a car with a man who is not a relative when the two were intercepted by their attackers.
He’s also appointed a new education minister- his son-in-law Prince Faisal bin Abdullah, who has plans to reform the Saudi educational system; a system that many believe fosters extremism by utilizing religious textbooks that contain very negative attitudes and views of non-Muslims. Remember- 15 of the 19 September 11 terrorists, just so happened to be Saudi. There has been some editing of textbooks, but more needs to be done.
Bringing in younger, more moderate blood might just be what the Saudis need. Some people seem to be ready for change: Princess Amira al-Taweel, married to one of the world’s richest men, who also happens to be the nephew of King Abdullah says,
“Certainly I’m ready to drive a car. I have an international driver’s licence, and I drive a car in all the countries I travel to.”
There is still a long way to go before Saudi Arabia catches up to the 21st century, where their women are allowed simple freedoms, to control their own lives without having to ask permission to work, see a doctor, travel, study, marry, or even call an ambulance.
But at least it’s a step in the right direction.
RSS 
It took a long time for women to get achieve change in this country, but they fought. There are still inequalities, but they are tolerable.
What do you mean it will take a ”will take another century for the arabs or extremists to digest the fact that women deserve equal rights as men. then another century to implement them”?
You’re making a racist generalization. Saudi Arabia is the exception in the Arab world and not the norm. S.A. is the only country that forces women to veil and the only one that prohibits them from driving.
The Arab woman is much more liberated than what Western news reports will have you believe. In Tunisia, for instance, polygamy is outlawed and woman earned the right to an abortion in 1956, 17 years before Roe v. Wade.
And you’re the one to talk. Last time I checked religious extremism is unfortunately gaining ground in Pakistan where more and more women feel the pressure to veil.
As for these developments, this is certainly a step in the right direction. Reforming education will be the most important measure, all a society needs is one generation properly raised in order to implement new values of freedom and tolerance.
I think I said before that there are some laws in the KSA that need to be changed except the Islamic laws.
I’m really glad that a woman reached this position in the country and I hope to see more women reaching high positions in the KSA. And I also hope the ban on women driving cars will be lifted soon.
As for replacing two sheikhs by two other ’moderate’ ones, it is because your government said so. You see, my government will do anything to please yours even if it’s removing lessons from Islamic subjects or removing sheikhs from their positions. I don’t know when this will end. I do hope they learn something from king Faisal who stopped supplying oil to your country. I do hope they will stop allying with your government ’the main source of terrorism’ and start caring about their Muslim brothers and sisters in Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan who live in poverty and are suffering from wars because of your government.
Marco
Yes Saudi women do not drive. They have to wear hijaab but as for covering the face, they do not have to cover their faces now like they had to in the past.
It is really a shame that Muslim women are not allowed to drive in a Muslim country like Saudi Arabia , and oh, it is also a shame that women in Tunisia are discriminated because of their hijaab. It is really a shame that Muslim women in a Muslim country like Tunisia are banned from wearing hijaab . Maybe they should go to other Muslim countries to practice their faith better.
You are a silly young girl Almaha, when you say the U.S. are the terrorists. You have no idea. Perhaps you deserve what you have.
As for our alliance with your country, which we probably shouldn’t, considering the fact that most of the 9/11 terrorists were Saudi: do you realize, silly girl, that our purchasing your oil helps your country survive? Your main resource is oil, in case you didn’t know that, and when oil prices are down, and people don’t buy as much oil, your country suffers? Do you want to suffer?
Unfortunately, because of girls like you, who are totally content with the status quo, it will take a long, long time for change.
It’s really weird that someone like you who has an avatar that suggests love, peace, and coexistence asks me to be selfish.
I don’t hate anyone, unlike you.
I care about all people, other than those, like you, who are obvious haters. There are plenty of Arabs and Muslims, including right here on I.B. who are decent, caring people. Those I care about.
Frankly, when people criticize the Christian fundamentalists, I don’t feel threatened or defensive, because they can be assholes. Some deserve to be criticized.. that is the difference between you and me. I am not an extremist, you obviously are.
don’t bother reading if it bothers you.
It’s too bad because, in some respects, you seem to be a reasonable person.
There is nothing objectionable about going after fundamentalists, but you cross the line into hateful generalizations against all Muslims. Criticize that segment, but making crude generalizations is nothing short of bigotry of the highest order.
Yes, they are all extremists and I oppose them too, but through your own words you acknowledge that you engage in crude generalizations and that is wrong.
