06/05/2009
During the upcoming 2009 Women's Economic Forum on May 12-13, Dr. Hatun Ajwad Al-Faasi, writer and history professor at King Saud University, will present her research paper entitled "Legislative Handicaps Regarding The Economic Participation of Saudi Women". She said the intended meaning of "legislative" is anything related to "translating" the law in a modern country, claiming that this is one of the reformative challenges to the participation of women in building the national economy. She said this will require several actions related to religion, social customs, and laws.
Al-Faasi divided the "handicaps" facing women into direct and indirect handicaps claiming that direct handicaps fall under regulations such as: work and civil service regulations, or general laws such as the legal guardian law. She said indirect handicaps include restrictions on learning and movement for women. Al-Faasi said her observations have lead her to seek changes in the law that are in accordance with the religion of Islam.
Meanwhile, speaking on Monday at a seminar organized by the law club at the Faculty of Political Science at King Saud University, Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah Aal Al-Sheikh, who is also Chairman of the Board of Senior Ulema, said Islam has honored women by preventing them from traveling without being accompanied by legal guardians (Mehram). He called on Saudi girls to remain chaste in the face of liberal forces which want to deviate women from the right Islamic path so as to satisfy their ulterior motives which have nothing to with Islam.
Sheikh Abdul Aziz Aal Al-Sheikh slammed the advocates of immoral trends, saying they intend to corrupt the society. “They want her to go unveiled, moving about and traveling on her own, getting involved in relationships with whoever she wants, and calling whoever she wants to start up friendships.”
Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti said the education system needs teachers who have conservative morals at the heart of their agenda. “Those who teach in universities must adopt the desirable quality of the promotion of virtue and prevention of vice,” and “All should cooperate to protect Islamic values.” he added.
