Yemen: Yemeni group rejects fatwa banning women from politics

By Nasser Arrabyee, Correspondent

Sana'a: The Yemeni Women's Union has refused to honour a fatwa issued earlier this week banning women from participating in public and political affairs and from running for election under a quota system.

The union, an NGO supported by the government, said the fatwa issued by some religious scholars was aimed at reducing the value and importance of the great role of women in building the society.

The fatwa was circulated within a booklet titled The letter of Yemen's clerics on the women's quota at a conference earlier this week by a group of religious scholars.

The clerics forbade calls for a quota system in elections which aims to help women get into parliament.

The clerics say in their booklet it is haram for women to be members of parliament or hold any other leading position.

The clerics also warned women not to leave their homes.

In reaction to the fatwa, the women's union cited many Quranic verses and hadith (the Prophet's sayings) to contradict the fatwa and prove that women have equal rights in political life to men.

In a strongly worded statement, the women's union accused the authors of the fatwa of defaming women and of offending their honour, dignity and decency.

"Those who persecute or draw into temptation the believers, men and women, and do not turn in repentance, will face the penalty of hell," the statement said, citing from the Quran.

'No superiority'

Everything in this booklet contradicts Islam, which gives women absolute equality with men, said the statement, denying any superiority of men over women.

The statement cited from the Quran, "Mankind, we created you from a single (pair) of a male and female, and made you into nations and tribes that you may know each other, verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you and Allah has full knowledge and is well-acquainted."

The instructions and doctrines of Islam do not differentiate between men and women, said the statement, calling on the clerics to treat women fairly.

"The believers, men and women, are protectors one of another, they enjoin what is just and forbid what is evil, they observe regular prayers, practice regular charity and obey Allah and his messenger, on them will Allah pour his mercy for Allah is exalted in power," the statement cited from the Quran.

In reaction to the fatwa, the women's union cited many Quranic verses and hadith [the Prophet's sayings] to contradict the fatwa and prove that women have equal rights in political life to men.

---Gulf News