Kuwait: Politicians Debate Why Women Were Not Elected to Parliament

Following are excerpts from a discussion on women's failure in Kuwaiti elections, which aired on Kuwait TV on November 11, 2007:

(View more extensive version of the discussion here)

Interviewer: Why was no woman elected in the parliamentary election in Kuwait, or in the other Gulf states?

Kuwaiti MP Ahmad Baqer: In my opinion, a large part, if not the majority, of society believes – and even considers this to be part of its faith and religion – that women should not hold governing positions. A fatwa on this was issued by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Religious Endowment, and by the Al-Azhar University in 1952, as well as fatwas in many other countries. Things that are described sometimes as social or religious heritage are facts in which we believe. We consider this to be for the benefit of the woman and the family. The Prophet sent male governors, judges, and ambassadors, but he never sent women, only men, even though the most perfect women lived in his time – 'Aisha, the Prophet's companions, and Fatima. The Prophet never... On the contrary, the Prophet said: "A woman's prayer at home is better than in my mosque."
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I said before the elections that no woman would be elected, and I say now that no woman will be elected in Kuwait even in 50 years time.
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Former Kuwaiti parliamentary candidate 'Aisha Al-Rashid: The early Muslims were more fair and just than the Muslims of the 21st century. We live in the modern Era of Ignorance, I'm sad to say.
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In the world today, there are 111 women who hold the positions of head of state, prime minister, and other positions. Women hold leadership positions. We don't have to go far. Take, for example, Islamic Republic of Iran. Isn't Iran an Islamic country? Look how many women are members of municipal councils. 500 women. A woman is vice president, and another is deputy speaker of the shura council.

Kuwaiti MP Ahmad Baqer: I'm surprised at America. Women are only 14% of their parliament, but when they drafted the Iraqi constitution, they imposed a 25% quota, against the Iraqis' will. Why? Because this is their way to change all the Islamic laws.