A Kuwaiti Islamist lawmaker yesterday urged authorities to ban a team from Lebanese reality TV show "Star Academy" from recruiting young Kuwaitis, saying the program destroys morals.
"The recruitment of youth for a program that destroys morals and fights our (Islamic) values is no less bad and dangerous than recruiting them for terrorism or for peddling drugs," MP Waleed Al-Tabtabae said in a statement.
Tabtabae pointed out that a team from the TV show staff had arrived in Kuwait and set a center at the Holiday Inn Hotel to interview young men and women from Kuwait to select new participants for the coming cycle of the talent probing program.
Tabtabae, who adheres to the rigorous Salafi current of Islam, said Star Academy "imports Western values that are rejected by our society, and is based on mixing members of the two sexes to teach them Western habits and practices that they want to spread among our youth."
He warned Information Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah that he would hold him politically accountable if he does not stop the team from operating in Kuwait.
The mere admittance of this team in Kuwait means breaking an earlier promise given by the government not to allow them in, as a bid to preserve the Kuwaiti society principles, values and traditions," stressed Al-Tabtabae urging the information minister to stop the team and hold whoever licensed them to practice socially and traditional rejected activities in Kuwait.
Further, Tabtabae added that it was not acceptable that the Ministry of Information denies licensing the program's activities in Kuwait as well as denies any knowledge of it. "The ministry licensed the program producers; the LBC Satellite TV channel to establish tier office in Kuwait and it can cancel that license as a penalty for practicing public media activities without prior permission from the ministry," he said.
The Arab version of Star Academy is produced in Lebanon. Male and female contestants live in a boarding-school called The Academy, which is managed by a director, and are coached in various artistic disciplines and filmed day and night. Once a week, they participate in the equivalent of a prime time show, singing a song they prepared during the week before, as well as recapping their trials and tribulations from the past week.
Based on verdicts from judges and viewer voting, the weakest contestant is dropped while the eventual winner is awarded a record deal and usually some money. A number of Kuwaitis have taken part in the program since its inception about four years ago. It caused an uproar in Kuwait in 2004 when young stars of the program staged a concert in the conservative Gulf state.
Kuwait remains a religiously conservative country, where alcohol and discotheques are banned. Radical Islamists and tribal conservatives made strong gains in May 17 general elections.
-- Kuwait Times
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Saudi Arabia: Makkah laundry hires 50 women
MAKKAH - More than 50 Saudi women will work in the biggest central laundry in Makkah that was inaugurated on Monday.
“Employing Saudi women in private sector is an important step towards developing the Kingdom’s economy,” said Adel Ka’ki, head of Makkah Chamber for Commerce and Industry, after inaugurating the laundry.
Ziyad Bin Mahfouz, Executive Manager in Ilaf Group for Tourists and Travel, and several other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
The project presents a golden chance for women to get employment, Adel Ka’ki said. “This is the first time that Saudi women have been employed in this type of project. The women were trained to handle the most modern equipment,” said Mahfouz.
The project’s services will include Makkah and Jeddah, Mahfouz said.According to Muna Ba Aremah, General Manager of the project, they spent two years in finalizing the laundry which has world’s best available machines.
“The project aims to expand the work and business culture among Saudi women,” added Ba Aremah. “Our main aim to employ women has been achieved. Saudi women have shown their ability to perform this delicate task,” he added.
By Diana Al-Jassem Saudi Gazette
“Employing Saudi women in private sector is an important step towards developing the Kingdom’s economy,” said Adel Ka’ki, head of Makkah Chamber for Commerce and Industry, after inaugurating the laundry.
Ziyad Bin Mahfouz, Executive Manager in Ilaf Group for Tourists and Travel, and several other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
The project presents a golden chance for women to get employment, Adel Ka’ki said. “This is the first time that Saudi women have been employed in this type of project. The women were trained to handle the most modern equipment,” said Mahfouz.
The project’s services will include Makkah and Jeddah, Mahfouz said.According to Muna Ba Aremah, General Manager of the project, they spent two years in finalizing the laundry which has world’s best available machines.
“The project aims to expand the work and business culture among Saudi women,” added Ba Aremah. “Our main aim to employ women has been achieved. Saudi women have shown their ability to perform this delicate task,” he added.
By Diana Al-Jassem Saudi Gazette
Kuwait: Electronic counting 'not fool-proof'
Najla Al-Naqqi, a former candidate to the National Assembly and a women's rights activist delivered a lecture on women's role in politics. Former candidates Ayesha Al-Amairi, Jamila Al-Fouadri, Dr. Layla Al-Sabaan and Sameera Al-Shatti attended the event.
Al-Naqqi said that even though female candidates could not secure a seat at the Parliament, they put in good efforts and held influential election campaigns. She noted that Kuwaiti women faced many challenges like reduced electoral constituencies(from a previous 25). She expressed hope that Kuwait will be announced as a single electoral constituency in the near future.
Al-Naqqi said that the new five-constituency electoral system has some benefits, even though negative aspects like votes buying exists, reported Al-Watan. She said that the new electronic system used to count votes was not fool-proof.
She highlighted the discrepancy in vote counting by citing the example of a female candidate who received 330 votes when an electronic count was performed. After the votes were counted manually, however, it was found that she had received 442 votes.
Meanwhile, MPs from different political factions emphasized on the role played by Parliamentary Blocs. Each bloc represents a particular political stream.They said that these blocs are 'Kuwaiti' substitutes to the party system present in democratic countries. There will be a quality change of structure in the political blocs, which is expected to be announced during the current session.
For the first time, MP Hassan Johar said that his group is considering acknowledging the presence of other political blocs. This implies that for the first time, a political group based on religious lines may contribute toward increasing the number of Parliamentary blocs into five.
The National Democratic Alliance bloc is still undecided about selecting a new name for itself or joining forces with other blocs to become a liberal bloc.
The Popular Action Bloc which is headed by MP Ahmad Al-Saadoun, has lost many members either through their resignation or failure to reach the Parliament. The remaining members are looking forward to cooperating with a new bloc. Also, the fate of the Independents remains undecided.
-- Kuwait Times
Al-Naqqi said that even though female candidates could not secure a seat at the Parliament, they put in good efforts and held influential election campaigns. She noted that Kuwaiti women faced many challenges like reduced electoral constituencies(from a previous 25). She expressed hope that Kuwait will be announced as a single electoral constituency in the near future.
Al-Naqqi said that the new five-constituency electoral system has some benefits, even though negative aspects like votes buying exists, reported Al-Watan. She said that the new electronic system used to count votes was not fool-proof.
She highlighted the discrepancy in vote counting by citing the example of a female candidate who received 330 votes when an electronic count was performed. After the votes were counted manually, however, it was found that she had received 442 votes.
Meanwhile, MPs from different political factions emphasized on the role played by Parliamentary Blocs. Each bloc represents a particular political stream.They said that these blocs are 'Kuwaiti' substitutes to the party system present in democratic countries. There will be a quality change of structure in the political blocs, which is expected to be announced during the current session.
For the first time, MP Hassan Johar said that his group is considering acknowledging the presence of other political blocs. This implies that for the first time, a political group based on religious lines may contribute toward increasing the number of Parliamentary blocs into five.
The National Democratic Alliance bloc is still undecided about selecting a new name for itself or joining forces with other blocs to become a liberal bloc.
The Popular Action Bloc which is headed by MP Ahmad Al-Saadoun, has lost many members either through their resignation or failure to reach the Parliament. The remaining members are looking forward to cooperating with a new bloc. Also, the fate of the Independents remains undecided.
-- Kuwait Times
Kuwait: New cabinet with 2 women sworn-in
KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir yesterday sworn-in the new Cabinet that immediately came under fire from a number of MPs setting the stage for yet another bout of political disputes. The 16-member Cabinet includes seven new faces, some of whom were ministers before, and two women while the four ministers from the ruling family were retained in their posts.
Ali Al-Barrak, who was the Education Ministry Undersecretary, was appointed as Health Minister, while former Islamist MP Ahmad Baqer became Minister of Commerce and Industry and State Minister for National Assembly Affairs. He was a minister before 2006.
Hussein Al-Huraiti, the only elected MP in the Cabinet, was appointed Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs.
Abdulrahman Al-Ghuneim was appointed as Minister of Communications. He was a minister in 1980s. Bader Al-Duwailah was appointed as Minister of Social Affairs and Labor while Fadhel Safar, a Shiite and a member of the municipal council, was appointed Minister of Public Works and Municipality.
Mohammad Al-Olaim was appointed as Minister of Oil and Electricity and Water. He was Minister of Electricity and Water and Acting Oil Minister in the previous Cabinet.
Finance Minister Mustafa Al-Shamali was retained.
The two women in the Cabinet are Nouriya Al-Sabeeh and newcomer Mudhi Al-Humoud.
Sabeeh was retained as Education Minister while Humoud was appointed State Minister of Housing and Administrative Development. Humoud is a liberal academic and former head of the Arab Open University.
Despite threats to grill him, Interior Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Khaled Al-Sabah was retained in his post. The new Cabinet appears to have fulfilled sectarian and tribal divisions of the society.
The four major tribes of Awazem, Rashayda, Mutairi and Ajmans are represented. Shiites have two ministers, Safar and Shamali, the same number of the previous Cabinet.
Politically, Liberals and Islamists are well-represented with one minister each for the Salafis and Islamic Constitutional Movement and one for the Shiite National Islamic Alliance. This is the fourth government to be formed by Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah since he first became a prime minister in February 2006.
In the past two years, two assemblies were dissolved because of political disputes and early elections were called. Following the swearing-in ceremony, HH the Amir urged the new ministers to work united as a team and to cooperate with the National Assembly.
But the new Cabinet was not to the liking of several MPs, especially Islamists. Hardline Salafi MP Mohammad Hayef Al-Mutairi spared no time to criticize the new line-up.
He said he is studying boycotting the opening session of the National Assembly because the Cabinet includes two women who do not abide by the election law which requires women to respect Islamic Sharia law, a reference that the two female ministers do not use the Hijab, or head cover. Mutairi also criticized the inclusion of Safar, alleging that "he is suspected of being a member of Hezbollah Kuwait". Safar was among several Shiite activists detained and interrogated in March over accusations of being members of the Kuwaiti branch of Hezbollah.
The public prosecution however did not press charges against them for lack of evidence. The detention came after a rally was held to mourn former Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Imad Mughnieh, accused in Kuwait of hijacking a Kuwaiti plane and killing two citizens in 1988.
Islamist MP Faisal Al-Muslim said the new Cabinet is "disappointing" adding that he is contemplating taking a "practical action" without elaborating. Leader of the Salaf group Khaled Sultan Al-Issa particularly criticized the inclusion of Humoud saying she is likely to "become a cause for a crisis".
He did not elaborate but he was apparently referring to the fact that Humoud is a leading liberal activist. Outspoken opposition MP Mussallam Al-Barrak said that Kuwait needed a national salvation government away from the quota system that has never worked.
In the meantime, 30 new MPs held an informal meeting yesterday at the Diwaniya of MP Saleh Al-Mulla and discussed several issues including the election of a speaker. MP Waleed Al-Tabtabai said that several MPs raised the idea of electing a new speaker other than former speakers Jassem Al-Khorafi and Ahmad Al-Saadoun who are the only candidates. Tabtabai said that he was ready to withdraw from the race if Khorafi also withdrew and MPs agreed on a consensus speaker.
The name of MP Abdullah Al-Roumi was raised but no decision was taken as several MPs protested that this issue should be discussed only in the National Assembly. Khorafi did not attend the meeting. The lawmakers also discussed a proposal calling to boycott the opening of next assembly term in October if the government failed to present its program by then.
Several MPs called for giving the new government enough time to perform and for postponing any grilling. MPs will continue the meeting today at the Diwaniya of MP Nasser Al-Duwailah.
By B Izzak, Kuwait Times
Ali Al-Barrak, who was the Education Ministry Undersecretary, was appointed as Health Minister, while former Islamist MP Ahmad Baqer became Minister of Commerce and Industry and State Minister for National Assembly Affairs. He was a minister before 2006.
Hussein Al-Huraiti, the only elected MP in the Cabinet, was appointed Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs.
Abdulrahman Al-Ghuneim was appointed as Minister of Communications. He was a minister in 1980s. Bader Al-Duwailah was appointed as Minister of Social Affairs and Labor while Fadhel Safar, a Shiite and a member of the municipal council, was appointed Minister of Public Works and Municipality.
Mohammad Al-Olaim was appointed as Minister of Oil and Electricity and Water. He was Minister of Electricity and Water and Acting Oil Minister in the previous Cabinet.
Finance Minister Mustafa Al-Shamali was retained.
The two women in the Cabinet are Nouriya Al-Sabeeh and newcomer Mudhi Al-Humoud.
Sabeeh was retained as Education Minister while Humoud was appointed State Minister of Housing and Administrative Development. Humoud is a liberal academic and former head of the Arab Open University.
Despite threats to grill him, Interior Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Khaled Al-Sabah was retained in his post. The new Cabinet appears to have fulfilled sectarian and tribal divisions of the society.
The four major tribes of Awazem, Rashayda, Mutairi and Ajmans are represented. Shiites have two ministers, Safar and Shamali, the same number of the previous Cabinet.
Politically, Liberals and Islamists are well-represented with one minister each for the Salafis and Islamic Constitutional Movement and one for the Shiite National Islamic Alliance. This is the fourth government to be formed by Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah since he first became a prime minister in February 2006.
In the past two years, two assemblies were dissolved because of political disputes and early elections were called. Following the swearing-in ceremony, HH the Amir urged the new ministers to work united as a team and to cooperate with the National Assembly.
But the new Cabinet was not to the liking of several MPs, especially Islamists. Hardline Salafi MP Mohammad Hayef Al-Mutairi spared no time to criticize the new line-up.
He said he is studying boycotting the opening session of the National Assembly because the Cabinet includes two women who do not abide by the election law which requires women to respect Islamic Sharia law, a reference that the two female ministers do not use the Hijab, or head cover. Mutairi also criticized the inclusion of Safar, alleging that "he is suspected of being a member of Hezbollah Kuwait". Safar was among several Shiite activists detained and interrogated in March over accusations of being members of the Kuwaiti branch of Hezbollah.
The public prosecution however did not press charges against them for lack of evidence. The detention came after a rally was held to mourn former Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Imad Mughnieh, accused in Kuwait of hijacking a Kuwaiti plane and killing two citizens in 1988.
Islamist MP Faisal Al-Muslim said the new Cabinet is "disappointing" adding that he is contemplating taking a "practical action" without elaborating. Leader of the Salaf group Khaled Sultan Al-Issa particularly criticized the inclusion of Humoud saying she is likely to "become a cause for a crisis".
He did not elaborate but he was apparently referring to the fact that Humoud is a leading liberal activist. Outspoken opposition MP Mussallam Al-Barrak said that Kuwait needed a national salvation government away from the quota system that has never worked.
In the meantime, 30 new MPs held an informal meeting yesterday at the Diwaniya of MP Saleh Al-Mulla and discussed several issues including the election of a speaker. MP Waleed Al-Tabtabai said that several MPs raised the idea of electing a new speaker other than former speakers Jassem Al-Khorafi and Ahmad Al-Saadoun who are the only candidates. Tabtabai said that he was ready to withdraw from the race if Khorafi also withdrew and MPs agreed on a consensus speaker.
The name of MP Abdullah Al-Roumi was raised but no decision was taken as several MPs protested that this issue should be discussed only in the National Assembly. Khorafi did not attend the meeting. The lawmakers also discussed a proposal calling to boycott the opening of next assembly term in October if the government failed to present its program by then.
Several MPs called for giving the new government enough time to perform and for postponing any grilling. MPs will continue the meeting today at the Diwaniya of MP Nasser Al-Duwailah.
By B Izzak, Kuwait Times
Saudi Arabia: Women: Small Steps Taken Where Giant Strides Needed
Saudi women today celebrate the inauguration of women’s sections at the Riyadh and Jeddah mayoralties. One hundred and twenty women in each city now officially take charge of municipal services for women after being provided with extensive training to qualify them for their posts.
The sections have started functioning in four municipalities in both Jeddah and Riyadh regions.
This follows the successful initiative to allow women to sit in the board of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI). Women in Jeddah have been better supported and have proven their capabilities as elected and appointed board members. The Jeddah chamber also established the Khadijah Bint Khowailed Center, which caters to working women and women in business.
The center is run by women, and its role is to facilitate programs that support working women and provide feasibility studies for their business endeavors. The women in the chamber have outlined many procedural obstacles that hamper their investments and, therefore, exclude them from contributing toward the economic development of their country.
They have also submitted a petition to the minister of commerce and industry calling for the elimination of the male guardian, who is imposed to run their businesses and to process their paperwork with government agencies. That rule has allowed many guardians to exploit the businesses of women and delay their work. Moreover, they called on the minister to allow women to be members of the board of directors of their family-owned companies, as well as to chair their boards. These women who have assumed leadership positions in the chamber have proven their professionalism and expertise to support their sisters in society and have been successful in creating better opportunities to help shape a better future for the next generation.
The experiences of businesswomen in Riyadh and the Eastern Province unfortunately have been very disappointing. Although they are no less capable or no less enthusiastic to serve, they have neither been given the support nor the backing they need from the community to be included as board members in their chambers of commerce.
Another lost opportunity for women was the ban on women running in the 2006 municipal elections. They are still hopeful to run in the next elections.
The media in the Kingdom have recognized women’s untapped potential and are constantly engaged in raising public awareness about the benefits of enabling women who are qualified to hold leadership positions in government and in the work force. Women in the media have been very vocal in their demands for better opportunities to address the concerns of women in Saudi society.
Saudi women today face as many challenges as they have aspirations. Although there are some who stubbornly argue that our women are content and satisfied with their lives, many others continue to protest the discriminatory policies that marginalize qualified women and exclude them from taking on leadership positions. Unfortunately, those who refuse to aspire to a better life for women continue to brainwash our youth and spread their poison toward women who wish to control their own destinies and make their own ways, which will contribute to the welfare of our society.
This frustrating debate has not hindered the determination of the educated and progressive women to remain optimistic and enthusiastic to have their voices heard and their demands fulfilled. There are those who have had an opportunity to speak with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, and there are those who have debated their issues at the National Dialogue Forums. Forum participants have called for the establishment of a higher commission for women’s affairs that would have direct contact with the ministers concerned and the king in order to address the growing needs and challenges facing women today. Perhaps these recent municipal moves are the first step toward realizing that dream.
Women have also called for representation on the Shoura Council so they can influence change and development. Others have also asked for inclusion on the board of the newly established Human Rights Commission in order to ensure women get the rights that their faith guarantees and their faith-based government also should guarantee.
Women should also have a role in correcting the situations of women victims and underprivileged women.
Our nation has taken some tiny steps to eradicate these iniquities, but giant strides are needed. Those strides will not be made without the support of all the people, and that is what is missing.
We need every qualified citizen man and woman to contribute to our nation’s progress and development. Educated and qualified women must be given the chance to play a role in modernizing our government and society. It is high time we work together as patriotic Saudis, men and women, to upgrade antiquated systems and replace the obsolete laws and regulations that hinder the progress of our economy and the development of our nation.
When we marginalize women who are qualified and ready to serve, or when we refuse to acknowledge that 54 percent of our college graduates are women who are treated as second-class citizens, we only ensure a bleak future as more competitive nations capitalize on our inability to come to terms with modern reality. The failure to serve the modern- day needs for all citizens destroys the dreams and aspirations of our youth who represent more than 60 percent of our population. It also alienates many of the brightest, who need only to leave our borders behind to get the guarantees of fair play and liberty, the merits of which are leisurely discussed here.
Marginalizing women in our society marginalizes our society. Positive policies that could ensure effective participation of women should be put in place. Our government could use its authority to allocate one-third of the seats in the boards of the chambers of commerce for women. The Shoura Council could have an equal share of seats for women. Such initiatives can pave the way for a more effective participation of women and allow the qualified to act as role models for our future generation.
We cannot afford to wait until our society can reach a consensus that allows women to be part of the decision-making process, and our government should have the will to act decisively and not wait for a delayed consensus.
The appointment of women in municipal councils is a step in the right direction. Let us hope that our government will continue to move forward and appoint women in the Shoura Council. After all, our society cannot progress with half of its qualified people sitting on the sidelines.
Samar Fatany, Arab News
The sections have started functioning in four municipalities in both Jeddah and Riyadh regions.
This follows the successful initiative to allow women to sit in the board of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI). Women in Jeddah have been better supported and have proven their capabilities as elected and appointed board members. The Jeddah chamber also established the Khadijah Bint Khowailed Center, which caters to working women and women in business.
The center is run by women, and its role is to facilitate programs that support working women and provide feasibility studies for their business endeavors. The women in the chamber have outlined many procedural obstacles that hamper their investments and, therefore, exclude them from contributing toward the economic development of their country.
They have also submitted a petition to the minister of commerce and industry calling for the elimination of the male guardian, who is imposed to run their businesses and to process their paperwork with government agencies. That rule has allowed many guardians to exploit the businesses of women and delay their work. Moreover, they called on the minister to allow women to be members of the board of directors of their family-owned companies, as well as to chair their boards. These women who have assumed leadership positions in the chamber have proven their professionalism and expertise to support their sisters in society and have been successful in creating better opportunities to help shape a better future for the next generation.
The experiences of businesswomen in Riyadh and the Eastern Province unfortunately have been very disappointing. Although they are no less capable or no less enthusiastic to serve, they have neither been given the support nor the backing they need from the community to be included as board members in their chambers of commerce.
Another lost opportunity for women was the ban on women running in the 2006 municipal elections. They are still hopeful to run in the next elections.
The media in the Kingdom have recognized women’s untapped potential and are constantly engaged in raising public awareness about the benefits of enabling women who are qualified to hold leadership positions in government and in the work force. Women in the media have been very vocal in their demands for better opportunities to address the concerns of women in Saudi society.
Saudi women today face as many challenges as they have aspirations. Although there are some who stubbornly argue that our women are content and satisfied with their lives, many others continue to protest the discriminatory policies that marginalize qualified women and exclude them from taking on leadership positions. Unfortunately, those who refuse to aspire to a better life for women continue to brainwash our youth and spread their poison toward women who wish to control their own destinies and make their own ways, which will contribute to the welfare of our society.
This frustrating debate has not hindered the determination of the educated and progressive women to remain optimistic and enthusiastic to have their voices heard and their demands fulfilled. There are those who have had an opportunity to speak with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, and there are those who have debated their issues at the National Dialogue Forums. Forum participants have called for the establishment of a higher commission for women’s affairs that would have direct contact with the ministers concerned and the king in order to address the growing needs and challenges facing women today. Perhaps these recent municipal moves are the first step toward realizing that dream.
Women have also called for representation on the Shoura Council so they can influence change and development. Others have also asked for inclusion on the board of the newly established Human Rights Commission in order to ensure women get the rights that their faith guarantees and their faith-based government also should guarantee.
Women should also have a role in correcting the situations of women victims and underprivileged women.
Our nation has taken some tiny steps to eradicate these iniquities, but giant strides are needed. Those strides will not be made without the support of all the people, and that is what is missing.
We need every qualified citizen man and woman to contribute to our nation’s progress and development. Educated and qualified women must be given the chance to play a role in modernizing our government and society. It is high time we work together as patriotic Saudis, men and women, to upgrade antiquated systems and replace the obsolete laws and regulations that hinder the progress of our economy and the development of our nation.
When we marginalize women who are qualified and ready to serve, or when we refuse to acknowledge that 54 percent of our college graduates are women who are treated as second-class citizens, we only ensure a bleak future as more competitive nations capitalize on our inability to come to terms with modern reality. The failure to serve the modern- day needs for all citizens destroys the dreams and aspirations of our youth who represent more than 60 percent of our population. It also alienates many of the brightest, who need only to leave our borders behind to get the guarantees of fair play and liberty, the merits of which are leisurely discussed here.
Marginalizing women in our society marginalizes our society. Positive policies that could ensure effective participation of women should be put in place. Our government could use its authority to allocate one-third of the seats in the boards of the chambers of commerce for women. The Shoura Council could have an equal share of seats for women. Such initiatives can pave the way for a more effective participation of women and allow the qualified to act as role models for our future generation.
We cannot afford to wait until our society can reach a consensus that allows women to be part of the decision-making process, and our government should have the will to act decisively and not wait for a delayed consensus.
The appointment of women in municipal councils is a step in the right direction. Let us hope that our government will continue to move forward and appoint women in the Shoura Council. After all, our society cannot progress with half of its qualified people sitting on the sidelines.
Samar Fatany, Arab News
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Egypt: Women's mosque row erupts
Cairo: Theologians and secularists in Egypt are up in arms over a request from women to have their own mosques.
The clergy was quick to dismiss the demand as a fad but secularists warned against turning down the proposal, saying it would strengthen the hand of religious leaders in matters of the state.
An official at the Egyptian Ministry of Waqf (Religious Endowments) said women's groups have sought a licence for female-only mosques. "We are studying the legality from the Islamic perspective," said Abdul Gafar Helal, a member of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs. But theologians are firm in their opposition. "There is no evidence in Islamic history that shows mosques were designated for women," said Mustafa Al Shaka, a member of the Islamic Research Centre, an arm of Al Azhar.'
"It is part of this rash clamour for absolute equality between men and women. It is a misleading call, which causes confusion and discord in the nation," he told Gulf News.Suad Saleh, a professor of Islamic jurisprudence at Al Azhar University, did not share Al Shaka's views.
"There is nothing in Islam that prohibits women's only mosques," Suad told Gulf News. "Nor are there restrictions on women to lead female worshippers in prayers and address them."
A famed TV preacher, she sees no harm in allowing women to have their own mosques. "There is no clear text banning this in the Quran or the Sunna," argued Suad.
Secularists in the predominantly Muslim country are appalled at the stance of theologians."This shows that Egypt is rushing headlong into becoming a religious state where clergymen will have the final say in all affairs," Abbas Khater, a writer, told Gulf News. "After the tremendous gains made by Egyptian women, the society is moving towards reviving segregation between the two sexes."
By Ramadan Al Sherbini, Correspondent for Gulf News
The clergy was quick to dismiss the demand as a fad but secularists warned against turning down the proposal, saying it would strengthen the hand of religious leaders in matters of the state.
An official at the Egyptian Ministry of Waqf (Religious Endowments) said women's groups have sought a licence for female-only mosques. "We are studying the legality from the Islamic perspective," said Abdul Gafar Helal, a member of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs. But theologians are firm in their opposition. "There is no evidence in Islamic history that shows mosques were designated for women," said Mustafa Al Shaka, a member of the Islamic Research Centre, an arm of Al Azhar.'
"It is part of this rash clamour for absolute equality between men and women. It is a misleading call, which causes confusion and discord in the nation," he told Gulf News.Suad Saleh, a professor of Islamic jurisprudence at Al Azhar University, did not share Al Shaka's views.
"There is nothing in Islam that prohibits women's only mosques," Suad told Gulf News. "Nor are there restrictions on women to lead female worshippers in prayers and address them."
A famed TV preacher, she sees no harm in allowing women to have their own mosques. "There is no clear text banning this in the Quran or the Sunna," argued Suad.
Secularists in the predominantly Muslim country are appalled at the stance of theologians."This shows that Egypt is rushing headlong into becoming a religious state where clergymen will have the final say in all affairs," Abbas Khater, a writer, told Gulf News. "After the tremendous gains made by Egyptian women, the society is moving towards reviving segregation between the two sexes."
By Ramadan Al Sherbini, Correspondent for Gulf News
Saudi Arabia: Set Sights on Big Prizes, Al-Dossary Tells Women
RIYADH — As part of an annual recognition of the region’s business movers and shakers, Arabian Business Magazine awarded Nadia Al-Dossary the Saudi Achievement Award for 2008. There was only one small problem: Al-Dossary is a woman.
It doesn’t matter if Al-Dossary heads an Alkhobar-based scrap metal empire with an annual turnover of SR500 million. It doesn’t matter that she’s been profiled in The Washington Post and that the Financial Times named her one of the top 25 economically influential women in the Middle East.
When she arrived at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh recently to attend the awards ceremony, she was turned away due to social restrictions (enforced by the religious police) prohibiting unrelated men and women from mixing, even in public.
For her part, Al-Dossary seems unperturbed by the move. “It was not a devastating incident for me, as I have been in the international news,” she said. “We Saudi businesswomen do stand up and are being noticed, accepted and appreciated.”
Al-Dossary clearly believes that women in Saudi Arabia are making progress, and she cites the elections to the powerful chambers of commerce. Al-Dossary was one of six women who ran in the Asharqia Chamber’s board election last year. Though no woman won a position, it was viewed as a triumph that they were allowed to run as candidates. It is the women entrepreneurs, she says, that will do the most to promote women in the Kingdom.
“When given the chance, Saudi businesswomen have proved to be subjective and rational in presenting themselves and this has a very positive reflection on the global image of the Saudi women in general,” she said.
When asked about the role of businesswomen in finding solutions to unemployment and providing job opportunities for women, Al-Dossary said that the government must take the lead.
“You cannot hold the private sector responsible,” she said. “We are not in charge.”
Indeed, hiring women is not a simple matter. Companies that hire women must, as the Four Seasons Hotel did in Riyadh by turning Al-Dossary away, ensure that men and women do not mingle. This requires entirely separate sections for women. At events open to men and women, for example, women are typically relegated to a side room to watch the event on closed-circuit television while the men sit in the main hall. For many small businesses, integrating women employees is an economically unviable option, she said.
Hiring women also draws scrutiny from the religious police, who monitor businesses where men and women must interact. Many companies simply find it untenable to facilitate men and women employees. (However, some companies see the benefits of establishing women-only presences. The retail chain H&M recently announced it would open a women-only store in Riyadh within the next year, including women sales clerks.)
As far as Al-Dossary is concerned, the private sector should only be viewed as a “partner in the education and recruitment movement” and cannot move forward without the government’s lead.
Al-Dossary, who praises Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for his efforts to empower Saudi women, points out that it’s difficult to encourage the private sector to invest in facilitating women employees if that investment is viewed as a risk. She cites the recent issue with lingerie shops (and other stores catering to women’s products). While the government has announced a plan to replace the foreign male workers at these shops with Saudi women, there has been no visible momentum. Small business owners are hesitant to move forward until such momentum is viewed as safe and viable.
“Although the Ministry of Labor approved (the plan to allow Saudi women sales clerks at lingerie shops and the like), and business associates paid for preparations, it was dead on arrival. We — as a private company — cannot invest so much time preparing, training and educating individuals to be faced later with rejections or regulations.”
Still, Al-Dossary says, Saudi women must be a part of the momentum, and must be more proactive. She doesn’t advocate large, clumsy steps but rather careful and steady progress.
“Opportunities are not given, they are taken,” she said, advising younger Saudi women to set their sights on the larger prizes rather than picking a series of smaller fights.
-- Walaa Hawari, Arab News
It doesn’t matter if Al-Dossary heads an Alkhobar-based scrap metal empire with an annual turnover of SR500 million. It doesn’t matter that she’s been profiled in The Washington Post and that the Financial Times named her one of the top 25 economically influential women in the Middle East.
When she arrived at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh recently to attend the awards ceremony, she was turned away due to social restrictions (enforced by the religious police) prohibiting unrelated men and women from mixing, even in public.
For her part, Al-Dossary seems unperturbed by the move. “It was not a devastating incident for me, as I have been in the international news,” she said. “We Saudi businesswomen do stand up and are being noticed, accepted and appreciated.”
Al-Dossary clearly believes that women in Saudi Arabia are making progress, and she cites the elections to the powerful chambers of commerce. Al-Dossary was one of six women who ran in the Asharqia Chamber’s board election last year. Though no woman won a position, it was viewed as a triumph that they were allowed to run as candidates. It is the women entrepreneurs, she says, that will do the most to promote women in the Kingdom.
“When given the chance, Saudi businesswomen have proved to be subjective and rational in presenting themselves and this has a very positive reflection on the global image of the Saudi women in general,” she said.
When asked about the role of businesswomen in finding solutions to unemployment and providing job opportunities for women, Al-Dossary said that the government must take the lead.
“You cannot hold the private sector responsible,” she said. “We are not in charge.”
Indeed, hiring women is not a simple matter. Companies that hire women must, as the Four Seasons Hotel did in Riyadh by turning Al-Dossary away, ensure that men and women do not mingle. This requires entirely separate sections for women. At events open to men and women, for example, women are typically relegated to a side room to watch the event on closed-circuit television while the men sit in the main hall. For many small businesses, integrating women employees is an economically unviable option, she said.
Hiring women also draws scrutiny from the religious police, who monitor businesses where men and women must interact. Many companies simply find it untenable to facilitate men and women employees. (However, some companies see the benefits of establishing women-only presences. The retail chain H&M recently announced it would open a women-only store in Riyadh within the next year, including women sales clerks.)
As far as Al-Dossary is concerned, the private sector should only be viewed as a “partner in the education and recruitment movement” and cannot move forward without the government’s lead.
Al-Dossary, who praises Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for his efforts to empower Saudi women, points out that it’s difficult to encourage the private sector to invest in facilitating women employees if that investment is viewed as a risk. She cites the recent issue with lingerie shops (and other stores catering to women’s products). While the government has announced a plan to replace the foreign male workers at these shops with Saudi women, there has been no visible momentum. Small business owners are hesitant to move forward until such momentum is viewed as safe and viable.
“Although the Ministry of Labor approved (the plan to allow Saudi women sales clerks at lingerie shops and the like), and business associates paid for preparations, it was dead on arrival. We — as a private company — cannot invest so much time preparing, training and educating individuals to be faced later with rejections or regulations.”
Still, Al-Dossary says, Saudi women must be a part of the momentum, and must be more proactive. She doesn’t advocate large, clumsy steps but rather careful and steady progress.
“Opportunities are not given, they are taken,” she said, advising younger Saudi women to set their sights on the larger prizes rather than picking a series of smaller fights.
-- Walaa Hawari, Arab News
UAE: Forum to support young business women in UAE
DUBAI — The Dubai Women’s Association will launch the first forum for supporting small business projects for girls under the patronage of Shaikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, the wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
During the two-day conference to be held on June 1 and 2, six papers will be presented on issues pertaining to national identity, Khalifa Fund for supporting young women’s business projects as well as other topics that encourage girls to establish small business projects to contribute to country's development.
Addressing a Press conference yesterday, Dr Shaikha Afra bint Hasher Al Maktoum, of DWA, said that the conference aims at encouraging young women to establish their own small business projects to help engage their spare time in useful things that will benefit them and their families.
The encouragement also will enhance their creative skills and ability for perfect planning as well to prepare them face the difficulties and challenges of life.
Umm Rashid, Member of Board council of DWA and head of Hour Centre of DWA, said that the centre made great efforts to attract young national women and improve their skills to become leaders and owners of businesses in the future.
We believe that an Emirati girl has a strong will power and great interest in contributing to the country's development.
-- Khaleej Times
During the two-day conference to be held on June 1 and 2, six papers will be presented on issues pertaining to national identity, Khalifa Fund for supporting young women’s business projects as well as other topics that encourage girls to establish small business projects to contribute to country's development.
Addressing a Press conference yesterday, Dr Shaikha Afra bint Hasher Al Maktoum, of DWA, said that the conference aims at encouraging young women to establish their own small business projects to help engage their spare time in useful things that will benefit them and their families.
The encouragement also will enhance their creative skills and ability for perfect planning as well to prepare them face the difficulties and challenges of life.
Umm Rashid, Member of Board council of DWA and head of Hour Centre of DWA, said that the centre made great efforts to attract young national women and improve their skills to become leaders and owners of businesses in the future.
We believe that an Emirati girl has a strong will power and great interest in contributing to the country's development.
-- Khaleej Times
Saudi Arabia: Government looks to put an end to harassment of women at workplace
JEDDAH — Eve teasing and harassment of women at work is a problem everywhere. In Saudi Arabia, with the number of women in the workforce rising, the possibilities have also increased. To deal with the problem, Dr Saleh bin Humaid, president of the 150-member Shoura Council, has urged the committee for social, family and youth affairs to prepare the law as quickly as possible.
Faisal Ahmed Yamani, a member of the team involved in drafting the law, said the law would be presented to the Shoura soon for its approval. The committee of experts that includes Shoura Council members is preparing a draft to prevent the sexual harassment and molestation of women in the workplace.
Dr Saleh stressed the need for women to wear modest dress in the workplace in order to reduce the incidence of sexual harassment.
The new law defines sexual harassment and explains its various types and conditions. It defines the responsibility of the employer and his role in preventing improper behaviour in the workplace.
“The law also includes punishments as well as administrative and judicial measures to be taken against workers involved in sexual harassment,” Yamani explained.
“Molestation includes words or suggestions or movements that would hurt a person, whether man or woman. It also covers unwanted sexual advancements and suggestions, causing uneasiness and humiliation or mental pressure to a person, whether man or woman,” he said.
The law covers not only sexual harassment but also actions aimed at demoralising a person and worsening his condition in the workplace and so negatively affecting his rights, honour and health.
Yamani said that the new law protects women as well as men and added that there was a pressing need to set out regulations in order to prevent the sexual harassment of women in the workplace and provide them with a safe and secure atmosphere in which to work.
“If we study the Holy Quran and Sunnah, we find that Islam has addressed the issues of sexual harassment and demoralisation. We are not creating any new law,” he said.
Dr Mazen Baleelah, a member of the Shoura who raised the issue of harassment of women in the workplace, emphasised the importance of the new law in regulating the relations between men and women in the workplace. He was reported as saying that sexual molestation in workplaces must be monitored and those guilty must be given deterrent punishment.
He said that “the Saudi Labour Law protects both men and women from vocational hazards and urges employers to provide their workers with health insurance. But it does not mention the protection of the honour and chastity of women in the workplace. According to him, there should be regulations to maintain respectful relationships between men and women in the workplace.
By Habib Shaikh, Khaleej Times
Faisal Ahmed Yamani, a member of the team involved in drafting the law, said the law would be presented to the Shoura soon for its approval. The committee of experts that includes Shoura Council members is preparing a draft to prevent the sexual harassment and molestation of women in the workplace.
Dr Saleh stressed the need for women to wear modest dress in the workplace in order to reduce the incidence of sexual harassment.
The new law defines sexual harassment and explains its various types and conditions. It defines the responsibility of the employer and his role in preventing improper behaviour in the workplace.
“The law also includes punishments as well as administrative and judicial measures to be taken against workers involved in sexual harassment,” Yamani explained.
“Molestation includes words or suggestions or movements that would hurt a person, whether man or woman. It also covers unwanted sexual advancements and suggestions, causing uneasiness and humiliation or mental pressure to a person, whether man or woman,” he said.
The law covers not only sexual harassment but also actions aimed at demoralising a person and worsening his condition in the workplace and so negatively affecting his rights, honour and health.
Yamani said that the new law protects women as well as men and added that there was a pressing need to set out regulations in order to prevent the sexual harassment of women in the workplace and provide them with a safe and secure atmosphere in which to work.
“If we study the Holy Quran and Sunnah, we find that Islam has addressed the issues of sexual harassment and demoralisation. We are not creating any new law,” he said.
Dr Mazen Baleelah, a member of the Shoura who raised the issue of harassment of women in the workplace, emphasised the importance of the new law in regulating the relations between men and women in the workplace. He was reported as saying that sexual molestation in workplaces must be monitored and those guilty must be given deterrent punishment.
He said that “the Saudi Labour Law protects both men and women from vocational hazards and urges employers to provide their workers with health insurance. But it does not mention the protection of the honour and chastity of women in the workplace. According to him, there should be regulations to maintain respectful relationships between men and women in the workplace.
By Habib Shaikh, Khaleej Times
Saudi Arabia: Makkah Businesswomen Decry Poor Services
MAKKAH, 27 May 2008 — Several businesswomen are unhappy with poor services that the women’s section of the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) provides and complain that they find it difficult to gain loans.
Areej Justaniyah, a distributor of imported lingerie with a shop in Makkah, said, “I wonder what use there is in becoming a member of the Fatimah Center, the women’s section of the MCCI. The organization needs to make it easier for women to get loans from agencies that work with the chambers.”
Justaniyah says she was denied a loan to open a shop because she was unable to meet difficult conditions to qualify for financial aid. “When I adhered strictly to the conditions set by the MCCI, I couldn’t even pay my workers,” she said.
“The center makes empty promises. It claims it is launching new schemes and initiatives for women. But they are never translated into reality,” she said, adding that the business training courses that the MCCI conducts for women were overpriced and that fees need to be brought down to make them affordable to everyone.
Justaniyah added that some of the courses were a waste of time and money. “For instance, a recently held course, called ‘How to Run a Business from Your Home,’ did not provide any useful information to businesswomen like me. What we need are programs that shed light on practical marketing techniques,” she said.
“We need focused meetings where participants are able to exchange ideas related to the running of enterprises. We also want to participate in the business projects that the MCCI has recently launched. There should be a system in place for our involvement and interaction with businessmen so we can benefit from their experience, particularly in marketing techniques,” she added.
Justaniyah also lamented the inability of the MCCI to give useful advice on how to begin businesses in new areas. “Businesswomen are not given the opportunity to learn what other participants are doing and how they are faring. When I requested, in a recent meeting, that participants should be allowed to speak about their businesses, the chamber official dismissed the idea saying that the chamber did not allow such things,” she said.
Suhair Kawakbi, owner of a boutique that sells Moroccan dress that she designs herself, is also of the view that the MCCI is of no use to owners of small-time business owners such as her.
She added that she wanted to open a branch in Jeddah but the chamber did not offer any help. “I hope the chamber would do more than invite people to its meetings,” she said.
Hanan Dahlawi, a children’s dress designer, said she has been in the business for the past 20 years. “The only support I got from the MCCI was an opportunity to exhibit my products at the Grand Coral Hotel five months ago,” she said, adding that she has faced a lot of difficulties in marketing her products, which she attributed to a lack of malls and large shopping complexes in Makkah.
Dahlawi believes that the MCCI should set up large women-only shopping centers and souks where women entrepreneurs could showcase their goods.
On the other hand, Huda Mehdi, deputy chair of the Fatimah Center, said several women in Makkah have set up small businesses with the MCCI’s help. “The center holds training courses for women, gives them advice on the types of business they can do and assists them in taking loans from the Saudi Credit Bank and the Centenary Fund. This, of course, follows feasibility studies. The amount of loans that we give range from SR100,000 to SR200,000,” she said.
“The chamber also plans to shortly issue licenses to women’s salons. It will also open exclusive women’s markets at the Saleh Jamal Center in Makkah where women will be able to display and sell their wares themselves,” she added.
By Chamber Ibtisam Shaqdar, Arab News
Areej Justaniyah, a distributor of imported lingerie with a shop in Makkah, said, “I wonder what use there is in becoming a member of the Fatimah Center, the women’s section of the MCCI. The organization needs to make it easier for women to get loans from agencies that work with the chambers.”
Justaniyah says she was denied a loan to open a shop because she was unable to meet difficult conditions to qualify for financial aid. “When I adhered strictly to the conditions set by the MCCI, I couldn’t even pay my workers,” she said.
“The center makes empty promises. It claims it is launching new schemes and initiatives for women. But they are never translated into reality,” she said, adding that the business training courses that the MCCI conducts for women were overpriced and that fees need to be brought down to make them affordable to everyone.
Justaniyah added that some of the courses were a waste of time and money. “For instance, a recently held course, called ‘How to Run a Business from Your Home,’ did not provide any useful information to businesswomen like me. What we need are programs that shed light on practical marketing techniques,” she said.
“We need focused meetings where participants are able to exchange ideas related to the running of enterprises. We also want to participate in the business projects that the MCCI has recently launched. There should be a system in place for our involvement and interaction with businessmen so we can benefit from their experience, particularly in marketing techniques,” she added.
Justaniyah also lamented the inability of the MCCI to give useful advice on how to begin businesses in new areas. “Businesswomen are not given the opportunity to learn what other participants are doing and how they are faring. When I requested, in a recent meeting, that participants should be allowed to speak about their businesses, the chamber official dismissed the idea saying that the chamber did not allow such things,” she said.
Suhair Kawakbi, owner of a boutique that sells Moroccan dress that she designs herself, is also of the view that the MCCI is of no use to owners of small-time business owners such as her.
She added that she wanted to open a branch in Jeddah but the chamber did not offer any help. “I hope the chamber would do more than invite people to its meetings,” she said.
Hanan Dahlawi, a children’s dress designer, said she has been in the business for the past 20 years. “The only support I got from the MCCI was an opportunity to exhibit my products at the Grand Coral Hotel five months ago,” she said, adding that she has faced a lot of difficulties in marketing her products, which she attributed to a lack of malls and large shopping complexes in Makkah.
Dahlawi believes that the MCCI should set up large women-only shopping centers and souks where women entrepreneurs could showcase their goods.
On the other hand, Huda Mehdi, deputy chair of the Fatimah Center, said several women in Makkah have set up small businesses with the MCCI’s help. “The center holds training courses for women, gives them advice on the types of business they can do and assists them in taking loans from the Saudi Credit Bank and the Centenary Fund. This, of course, follows feasibility studies. The amount of loans that we give range from SR100,000 to SR200,000,” she said.
“The chamber also plans to shortly issue licenses to women’s salons. It will also open exclusive women’s markets at the Saleh Jamal Center in Makkah where women will be able to display and sell their wares themselves,” she added.
By Chamber Ibtisam Shaqdar, Arab News
Kuwait: Exclude Al-Subaih from new govt – MP Jowhar
MP Dr Hassan Jowhar asked HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to exclude Education and Higher Education Minister Nuriya Al-Subaih from the next government due to her failure to correct the violations uncovered in the Ministry, which include interfering in the Faculty Assembly elections at Kuwait University (KU).
Jowhar said Al-Subaih was not effective in the previous government and her reappointment will only strain relations between the legislative and executive authorities. He claims there are documents proving Al-Subaih’s inefficiency and irregularities in both ministries in addition to a grilling request forwarded against her, which prompted the previous Parliament to call for a vote of no confidence on her.
He said the minister also defied the Cabinet’s directive on the suspension of transfer, appointment and promotion of employees during the elections period when she formed committees and appointed a number of officials while the ban is still in effect. He believes Al-Subaih is not qualified for the post.
Criticizing Al-Subaih’s interference in the KU Faculty Assembly elections, Jowhar accused the minister of launching a campaign against one of the groups running for elections. He said the group is known for questioning the performance of the KU administration. He also claimed he has evidence showing that Al-Subaih promised to appoint some assembly members to top positions at the university.
Urging the Prime Minister to separate the two ministries, Jowhar said this is a vital step towards the development of the educational sector in Kuwait. He also pointed out Al-Subaih issued a decision on the implementation of the unified educational system in the 10th standard only to change her mind later, calling for the abolition of the system in the next academic year.
Jowhar asked the premier to seriously consider the condition of the educational sector, warning the Parliament will closely monitor developments in this sector.
In other issues, Jowhar denied rumors on his withdrawal from the deputy speaker race, adding that, he intends to use this post to improve the performance of the MPs. He said the deputy speaker should have the ability to make firm decisions and efficiently preside over parliamentary sessions.
On the formation of a new parliamentary bloc, Jowhar said the bloc will play an important role in improving the performance of the MPs and serving the interests of the nation.
-- Arab Times
Jowhar said Al-Subaih was not effective in the previous government and her reappointment will only strain relations between the legislative and executive authorities. He claims there are documents proving Al-Subaih’s inefficiency and irregularities in both ministries in addition to a grilling request forwarded against her, which prompted the previous Parliament to call for a vote of no confidence on her.
He said the minister also defied the Cabinet’s directive on the suspension of transfer, appointment and promotion of employees during the elections period when she formed committees and appointed a number of officials while the ban is still in effect. He believes Al-Subaih is not qualified for the post.
Criticizing Al-Subaih’s interference in the KU Faculty Assembly elections, Jowhar accused the minister of launching a campaign against one of the groups running for elections. He said the group is known for questioning the performance of the KU administration. He also claimed he has evidence showing that Al-Subaih promised to appoint some assembly members to top positions at the university.
Urging the Prime Minister to separate the two ministries, Jowhar said this is a vital step towards the development of the educational sector in Kuwait. He also pointed out Al-Subaih issued a decision on the implementation of the unified educational system in the 10th standard only to change her mind later, calling for the abolition of the system in the next academic year.
Jowhar asked the premier to seriously consider the condition of the educational sector, warning the Parliament will closely monitor developments in this sector.
In other issues, Jowhar denied rumors on his withdrawal from the deputy speaker race, adding that, he intends to use this post to improve the performance of the MPs. He said the deputy speaker should have the ability to make firm decisions and efficiently preside over parliamentary sessions.
On the formation of a new parliamentary bloc, Jowhar said the bloc will play an important role in improving the performance of the MPs and serving the interests of the nation.
-- Arab Times
Bahrain: Rights training institute on way
Bahrain plans to establish a "training institute" to educate all those concerned with implementing Bahrain's National Action Plan for Human Rights by the end of the year, it was revealed yesterday.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Nazar Al Baharna said the institute would train all stake holders in human rights procedures and to effectively implement them.
"We are committed to completely implement all our human rights commitments to world bodies and have, from today, started applying it in all spheres," Dr Al Baharna said during a formal launch ceremony for the plan at The Regency InterContinental Bahrain hotel.
The plan was launched in April by Dr Al Baharna in the presence of several non-government organisations (NGOs), members of civil societies and diplomats.
"While we are committed, we may not be adequately trained in certain areas. So we need to look at that aspect," he said.
"Whether it is police officers, representatives of civil societies, NGOs, workers or human rights organisations, we have to be prepared to tackle the challenges."
He said training workshops, follow-up meetings and other activities involving police and prison officers, security personnel, the media and the NGOs will be held regularly.
"The idea is to create a positive understanding among various sectors."
He said an inter-ministerial committee is being set up to follow up on the implementation of the plan till a permanent body for the purpose comes into effect.
"We had planned it by the end of the year but we see some logistical delays in its formation. Until that time, the temporary committee will take charge of the programme."
He said Bahrain's election to the UN Human Rights Council recently is ample proof that its steps are being appreciated.
UN Development Programme (UNDP) resident representative Sayed Aqa, who was also present, said he is encouraged by the move.
"This is an indication of Bahrain's commitment to improve human rights and a golden chance for its people to contribute towards its implementation."
Salient features of the plan include stepping up inspections of labour camps to ensure they comply with humanitarian, health and security criteria, as well as increased protection for domestic workers' rights - especially vulnerable groups such as expats and women.
It also includes the creation of a taskforce that will study and make proposals to government bodies on the ratification of human rights treaties, as well as national legislation.
By MANDEEP SINGH, Gulf Daily News
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Nazar Al Baharna said the institute would train all stake holders in human rights procedures and to effectively implement them.
"We are committed to completely implement all our human rights commitments to world bodies and have, from today, started applying it in all spheres," Dr Al Baharna said during a formal launch ceremony for the plan at The Regency InterContinental Bahrain hotel.
The plan was launched in April by Dr Al Baharna in the presence of several non-government organisations (NGOs), members of civil societies and diplomats.
"While we are committed, we may not be adequately trained in certain areas. So we need to look at that aspect," he said.
"Whether it is police officers, representatives of civil societies, NGOs, workers or human rights organisations, we have to be prepared to tackle the challenges."
He said training workshops, follow-up meetings and other activities involving police and prison officers, security personnel, the media and the NGOs will be held regularly.
"The idea is to create a positive understanding among various sectors."
He said an inter-ministerial committee is being set up to follow up on the implementation of the plan till a permanent body for the purpose comes into effect.
"We had planned it by the end of the year but we see some logistical delays in its formation. Until that time, the temporary committee will take charge of the programme."
He said Bahrain's election to the UN Human Rights Council recently is ample proof that its steps are being appreciated.
UN Development Programme (UNDP) resident representative Sayed Aqa, who was also present, said he is encouraged by the move.
"This is an indication of Bahrain's commitment to improve human rights and a golden chance for its people to contribute towards its implementation."
Salient features of the plan include stepping up inspections of labour camps to ensure they comply with humanitarian, health and security criteria, as well as increased protection for domestic workers' rights - especially vulnerable groups such as expats and women.
It also includes the creation of a taskforce that will study and make proposals to government bodies on the ratification of human rights treaties, as well as national legislation.
By MANDEEP SINGH, Gulf Daily News
Bahrain: Women 'face media bias'
MEDIA bias may be blamed for the lack of women holding elected positions in Bahrain, a visiting US politician said yesterday. Vice-chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Orange County, California, Rima Nashashibi, said discrimination in news coverage between male and female candidates has been the consistent message delivered during her trip.
The Palestinian-born politician is here as part of a 10-day educational visit to Bahrain and Qatar to promote awareness of increased political participation and the positive role of Arab women in America.
Ms Nashashibi met officials from the Supreme Council for Women, Shura Council, Royal University for Women, Cultural Dialogue Centre and Bahrain Youth Forum Society and will visit Bahrain University before returning home today.
"We need to see more media support for women candidates and make sure the media gives equal coverage to all candidates, no matter what their gender, background or religion is," she told a Press conference at the Sheraton Hotel.
"I believe the media can do more to educate people about the issue and support candidates.
"When someone goes to vote, they do so from an educated position and they are not doing so in a vacuum."
Ms Nashashibi believes introducing a quota for women candidates in elections could be one way of achieving equality, at least in the short-term.
"They are good because they give women the opportunity to show they can handle the position and they are just as qualified as men," she said.
"Once you have people on an equal footing, you can take the quotas out."
Ms Nashashibi also has no problem with positive discrimination being used to appoint females to cabinet positions.
"How can you trust women to bring up future generations but not to hold certain positions," she asked.
"But if you appoint someone that is not qualified, they are destined to fail and you are doing a disservice to them and the community."
Ms Nashashibi revealed that the number of American women holding political positions compares to the global average of 17 per cent.
The co-founder of the Arab American Caucus and American Businesswomen's Association admitted her surprise at the low rate.
But she said one lesson women candidates in Bahrain can learn from their US counterparts was the importance of running a good structured campaign.
"This includes having a campaign manager, media consultant, fun-draising advisor and a volunteer co-ordinator to lead a team of volunteers," she added.
By GEOFFREY BEW, Gulf Daily News
The Palestinian-born politician is here as part of a 10-day educational visit to Bahrain and Qatar to promote awareness of increased political participation and the positive role of Arab women in America.
Ms Nashashibi met officials from the Supreme Council for Women, Shura Council, Royal University for Women, Cultural Dialogue Centre and Bahrain Youth Forum Society and will visit Bahrain University before returning home today.
"We need to see more media support for women candidates and make sure the media gives equal coverage to all candidates, no matter what their gender, background or religion is," she told a Press conference at the Sheraton Hotel.
"I believe the media can do more to educate people about the issue and support candidates.
"When someone goes to vote, they do so from an educated position and they are not doing so in a vacuum."
Ms Nashashibi believes introducing a quota for women candidates in elections could be one way of achieving equality, at least in the short-term.
"They are good because they give women the opportunity to show they can handle the position and they are just as qualified as men," she said.
"Once you have people on an equal footing, you can take the quotas out."
Ms Nashashibi also has no problem with positive discrimination being used to appoint females to cabinet positions.
"How can you trust women to bring up future generations but not to hold certain positions," she asked.
"But if you appoint someone that is not qualified, they are destined to fail and you are doing a disservice to them and the community."
Ms Nashashibi revealed that the number of American women holding political positions compares to the global average of 17 per cent.
The co-founder of the Arab American Caucus and American Businesswomen's Association admitted her surprise at the low rate.
But she said one lesson women candidates in Bahrain can learn from their US counterparts was the importance of running a good structured campaign.
"This includes having a campaign manager, media consultant, fun-draising advisor and a volunteer co-ordinator to lead a team of volunteers," she added.
By GEOFFREY BEW, Gulf Daily News
Saudi Arabia: Female Majority Seeking Online Legal Advice
Saudi legal personnel have revealed that the majority of clients seeking legal consultations on the internet are women; approximately 80 percent. This is attributed to a number of reasons, including social and psychological circumstances; the most important of which is the reservation that comes with sharing personal information, in addition to the need to find out legal information anonymously and with utmost discretion.
Dr. Osama Bikharji, the lawyer and legal advisor who owns the website 'muhamoon online' (lawyers online) told Asharq Al-Awsat that the fact that women comprise the largest proportion of clients seeking online legal advice is what compelled him to focus his study on Saudi women's need for privacy, as opposed to men, a fact that he ascribes to social reasons.
"Most Saudi women prefer to not consult in legal offices; they don't prefer to meet in a lawyer's personal office," he said.
With regards to the nature of the advice and queries that the women focus on, Bikharji disclosed, "Most of the legal issues for women are related to personal status, followed by queries about business transactions and questions about small- and medium-sized business systems." He believes that this is largely due to the Saudi women's dynamic entry into the world of business and projects, which has created a great need to find out more about laws and regulations, he said.
Thamer al Sikhan agrees with him. The owner of a legal and consultation firm in Jeddah, he told Asharq Al-Awsat in a phone interview that most of the women's questions revolve around personal status issues and matters related to business problems, the latter of which al Sikhan reveals represents the majority of the advice sought by men. He also pointed out that many of the clients on free online legal consultation websites have modest incomes and cannot afford to pay 500 Saudi Riyals (approximately US $134) for a legal consultation.
Al Sikhan explains the volume of Saudi women seeking legal advice online as, "I believe this stems from its easy nature and because it is a fast means. Instead of a woman going over to a law firm and paying for a consultation, she can visit 10 websites, most of which offer free consultations, and get 10 legal opinions."
He added that what distinguishes this method is the fact that questions can be direct and specific, which he believes is useful in giving women a lot of information and ideas before embarking on any business endeavor.
With regards to the compensation that lawyers can expect when providing free legal advice via the internet, al Sikhan who volunteers to provide free consultations said that these services aim to "disseminate legal awareness amongst the members of society."
He added that the free legal consultations increase the number of visitors to the website, which is what many lawyers are keen upon since it also makes the lawyers' names known amongst their clients and online visitors. Al Sikhan believes that this best serves a segment of society with a limited income.
Meanwhile, Bikharji believes that this step that was recently adopted by Saudi lawyers has been beneficial to a particular segment in society and especially for the women. In terms of the security measures taken to protect personal information, Bikharji confirmed that his website practiced confidentiality and was cautious to protect personal data ensuring that it was secure.
He also affirmed that all legal advice is provided by a team of qualified experts who specialize in various fields, furthermore pointing out that the fees for such consultations, if any, are usually modest and reasonable.
However, legal personnel have raised concerns about seeking legal advice from unidentified parties through websites or internet forums, stressing the importance of only dealing with licensed lawyers who are affiliated to the Saudi Ministry of Justice. This is to avoid the exploitation of clients' personal information and secure it against illegal leaking that could be detrimental to the clients.
It is worth noting that the legal departments on such websites include, Shariah, commercial, administrative, criminal, and personal status law. Moreover, the legal aspects include the requirements needed to set up Saudi- or mixed- businesses and the issuance of permits necessary for all businesses, whether commercial, industrial or services, in addition to drafting and reviewing contracts.
Online legal counseling varies from free of charge to a range of fees that are paid on a monthly or fixed-annual basis, or regular charges at the end of sessions.
By Iman al Khaddaf, Al Sharq al Awsat
Dr. Osama Bikharji, the lawyer and legal advisor who owns the website 'muhamoon online' (lawyers online) told Asharq Al-Awsat that the fact that women comprise the largest proportion of clients seeking online legal advice is what compelled him to focus his study on Saudi women's need for privacy, as opposed to men, a fact that he ascribes to social reasons.
"Most Saudi women prefer to not consult in legal offices; they don't prefer to meet in a lawyer's personal office," he said.
With regards to the nature of the advice and queries that the women focus on, Bikharji disclosed, "Most of the legal issues for women are related to personal status, followed by queries about business transactions and questions about small- and medium-sized business systems." He believes that this is largely due to the Saudi women's dynamic entry into the world of business and projects, which has created a great need to find out more about laws and regulations, he said.
Thamer al Sikhan agrees with him. The owner of a legal and consultation firm in Jeddah, he told Asharq Al-Awsat in a phone interview that most of the women's questions revolve around personal status issues and matters related to business problems, the latter of which al Sikhan reveals represents the majority of the advice sought by men. He also pointed out that many of the clients on free online legal consultation websites have modest incomes and cannot afford to pay 500 Saudi Riyals (approximately US $134) for a legal consultation.
Al Sikhan explains the volume of Saudi women seeking legal advice online as, "I believe this stems from its easy nature and because it is a fast means. Instead of a woman going over to a law firm and paying for a consultation, she can visit 10 websites, most of which offer free consultations, and get 10 legal opinions."
He added that what distinguishes this method is the fact that questions can be direct and specific, which he believes is useful in giving women a lot of information and ideas before embarking on any business endeavor.
With regards to the compensation that lawyers can expect when providing free legal advice via the internet, al Sikhan who volunteers to provide free consultations said that these services aim to "disseminate legal awareness amongst the members of society."
He added that the free legal consultations increase the number of visitors to the website, which is what many lawyers are keen upon since it also makes the lawyers' names known amongst their clients and online visitors. Al Sikhan believes that this best serves a segment of society with a limited income.
Meanwhile, Bikharji believes that this step that was recently adopted by Saudi lawyers has been beneficial to a particular segment in society and especially for the women. In terms of the security measures taken to protect personal information, Bikharji confirmed that his website practiced confidentiality and was cautious to protect personal data ensuring that it was secure.
He also affirmed that all legal advice is provided by a team of qualified experts who specialize in various fields, furthermore pointing out that the fees for such consultations, if any, are usually modest and reasonable.
However, legal personnel have raised concerns about seeking legal advice from unidentified parties through websites or internet forums, stressing the importance of only dealing with licensed lawyers who are affiliated to the Saudi Ministry of Justice. This is to avoid the exploitation of clients' personal information and secure it against illegal leaking that could be detrimental to the clients.
It is worth noting that the legal departments on such websites include, Shariah, commercial, administrative, criminal, and personal status law. Moreover, the legal aspects include the requirements needed to set up Saudi- or mixed- businesses and the issuance of permits necessary for all businesses, whether commercial, industrial or services, in addition to drafting and reviewing contracts.
Online legal counseling varies from free of charge to a range of fees that are paid on a monthly or fixed-annual basis, or regular charges at the end of sessions.
By Iman al Khaddaf, Al Sharq al Awsat
Middle East: Youth Bulge: Challenge or Opportunity?
Brookings Institute: The youth challenge is the most critical 21st century economic development challenge facing the Middle East.
In my brief remarks today, I would like to make one central point: The youth challenge is the most critical 21st century economic development challenge facing the Middle East. In a region where almost 65% of the population is under the age of 30, long term prosperity and stability hinges on the opportunities afforded to this generation. While radicalism and terrorism remain critical security concerns, the majority of Middle Eastern youth are involved in a different fight: a fight for better education, jobs and affordable housing. It is on the back of this generation that the Middle East will build a future middle class - a middle class which can be a catalyst for more open and democratic societies. Therefore to advance U.S. interests in the Middle East, we need more than anti-radicalization strategy; we need a strategy that elevates youth-development alongside defense and diplomacy both in principle and practice.
Drawing both on our research at Brookings and a recent trip to Jordan, Syria and Lebanon where I worked with young people I would like to elaborate on this main thesis by focusing on three areas: first, to show that the Middle East is at a critical juncture and how a large youth bulge presents opportunities for growth and prosperity; second, to outline the main challenges facing youth in the region; and third, to showcase some of the implications for policy, especially U.S. policy with regards to the region.
Recognizing that the Middle East is at crossroads, we have to realize that there is a narrow window of opportunity to build a foundation for lasting prosperity. The region faces a scenario of double dividend or double jeopardy: for the first time in its modern history, the Middle East is simultaneously experiencing an economic boom and a demographic boon. The region is experiencing its best economic performance in three decades – oil and non oil producing countries alike are showing record growth. Second, the region has a large youth bulge, presenting a large pool of human capital which if used productively can usher growth and prosperity. If countries can take advantage of the confluence of these two historic gifts, they can create a virtuous cycle of higher growth, higher incomes and savings. Failure to do so will result in a double jeopardy: the economic and social exclusion of youth drains growth and creates social strife. But the time for securing this double dividend is now. The window of opportunity – where countries have fewer dependents - will close in the next ten to fifteen years.
Middle Eastern economies can seize this opportunity as many Asian economies have done. However, without urgent reform, the region risks missing this historic opportunity. Already, there are some alarming signs. Despite good economic growth, prospects for young people are not improving significantly or rapidly. This has been a central pre-occupation of the Middle East Youth Initiative – to understand why young people continue to be excluded.
I will be sharing some of the concepts and ideas that our studies and work have led to.
The majority of 15-24 and 25-30 year olds in the region are confronted with a new life phase we have termed waithood – a concept that refers to the bewildering time in which large proportions of Middle Eastern youth spend their best years waiting. It is a phase in which the difficulties youth face in each of these interrelated spheres of life result in a debilitating state of helplessness and dependency. Waithood can be best understood by examining outcomes and linkages across five different sectors: education, employment, housing, credit, and marriage.
Poorly prepared for the labor market by their educational systems, Middle Eastern youth face unemployment rates that are nearly twice the world average (20-40 percent compared to 10-20 percent). Furthermore, their queuing time for their first job is measured in years rather than months compared to their counterparts in Asia and Latin America. I’ve met many youth in the region who have waited 3-4 years for a public sector job.
With regards to housing – all the oil money flowing into the region has sent the costs of real estate soaring in urban cities. This often compromises young people’s ability to get married and lead independent lives. Furthermore, while credit allows youth in other parts of the world to smooth their future consumption, in many Middle Eastern countries, poorly functioning credit markets fail in their basic purpose.
As a result of not being able to afford a dowry, or a house, young Middle Eastern men are involuntarily delaying marriage, which in the region, is a rite to passage for adulthood, independence and legitimate sexual relationships. Today, the average age of marriage is on the rise in most Middle Eastern countries, imposing economic and social costs which have yet to be fully understood. All this compounds the dependency of youth on their parents.
So we get back to the question: why does this waithood persist even in good times? The root cause lies in the economic and social institutions and the signals they send which shapes behavior and decisions. Think of this as the invisible infrastructure – the rules of the game which organize society. In the Middle East, this invisible infrastructure is based on an education system which prepares youth for public sector employment, thereby reinforcing three problematic ideas. First, that a university education is the only prize worth pursuing. Second, the notion of a lifetime secure desk job. Third, that readiness for marriage is largely contingent upon both a university education and a stable job which only perpetuates the lure for degrees and desk jobs. But with globalization and privatization, this invisible infrastructure is no longer functioning as it should. Let me illustrate this concept with some examples and facts from the ground.
Parents in the region invest billions of dollars in private tutoring to increasingly prep their children for standardized tests, so children end up learning a narrow set of skills. Then donors and governments must spend resources re-training these very youth to given them a wider range of skills because of the limitedness and poor quality of their initial education. Public policy would be infinitely more effective if parents had the incentives to invest in broader skills, rather than governments and donors undoing the investment of parents.
Through a focus group we held in Jordan, we found that young men are willing to continue waiting for public sector jobs which may never materialize. They are not incentivized to search for a job in the private sector (informal or formal) because they feel the wait is much better than the stigma and insecurity attached to work in the private sector.
Why do youth who have lower opportunity costs not undertake more voluntary work? A Gallup poll in 2006/2007 asked Middle Eastern youth “in the last month, did you volunteer your time to an organization”. The regional average was just 11%; in countries like Jordan, only 4% of respondents answered yes. The reason is because youth and their families have no incentives to invest in volunteerism; neither public nor private sector jobs value these experiences, and universities base their decisions on nothing but national rankings on standardized testing.
But all is not lost – because here you have a region where parents are willing to do anything for their children; most youth are in school and spend years working for their future; and policy makers are increasingly more concerned about these issues.
Now I will touch upon the implications these challenges pose for policymaking with a particular focus on the U.S. perspective.
First, the youth challenges that the region is facing are driven by economic and social incentives, which in turn shape the decisions taken by millions of families and youth. Youth transitions constitute outcomes across several interconnected markets, most importantly in education, labor, credit, and marriage. Program and Policies need to exploit these inter-linkages. For example, if programs are going to provide credit to young people to start their own businesses, it is important to build-in clear criteria which are based not only on their diplomas but what they have achieved outside school to incentivize volunteerism and extracurricular activities.
Second, the chasm in U.S.-Middle East relations has emerged amidst greater convergence in ideas and aspirations. Triggered by a large youth cohort, the Middle East is undergoing change where it is aligning with fundamental drivers of globalization. The region has embraced the idea of market economy and values education. Middle Eastern youth ascribe to the fundamental pro-growth norms of behavior such as hard work and high investment in children including girls.
There is a strong foundation to build a future middle class. These are all areas where the U.S. is a leader. As the country with the world’s best record in harnessing the energy of youth, there is much the U.S. can offer the Middle East. The U.S. relationship with the region should be cast on broader terms, making youth development as a template for exercising smart power.
Key recommendations include exporting soft technology for institutional reform of education. Youth in the U.S. have a relatively smooth transition to adulthood compared to most advanced countries. Transitions to adulthood in the US are facilitated because of the close integration between the education system and the labor market. The U.S institutional set up may not fit the Middle East perfectly, but as with all exports, soft technology exports can be adapted to fit local conditions. The educational system in the U.S. has already provided the region with great institutions of higher education – such as the American Universities of Beirut and Cairo—which have produced many of the region’s leaders. The US can extend assistance on a broader scale encompassing curriculum reform for high schools, the transition from high school to university (reforms of university admission practices), and the transition from school to work. Government should create incentives for greater collaboration between Middle Eastern and U.S. non governmental organizations, research institutes and universities.
The challenge is how the U.S. can build on its strengths and can be seen as genuinely interested in economic development. At the moment, there is a lack of instruments for such an exchange. In fact, currently, the Foreign Assistance Act does not have an explicit window to target funds for youth. The language of the Foreign Assistance Act should be changed to overcome this policy flaw. Youth development should be given priority, particularly in countries experiencing “youth bulge” and high rates of youth unemployment.
And finally, the discourse on the Middle East is highly and exclusively political and lacks an economic development focus. Addressing Middle Eastern youth solely through the prism of potential extremism misses the opportunity for aligning U.S. policy with the aspirations of the majority of the moderate citizens in the Middle East. It alienates the very people we are trying to help. Currently, there is re-negotiation of the rules of the game in the region, and it is being spurred by youth, who we should be empowering and supporting.
By Navtej Dhillon, Fellow/Director of the Middle East Youth Initiative, co-presented at a panel of experts to congressional staffers from the Foreign Relations Committee on the implications and opportunities of the youth bulge and how states and outside organizations are trying to respond. Joining him were Honorable Marwan Muasher, Senior Vice President at the World Bank, and Ellen Laipson, President/CEO of the Stimson Center.
In my brief remarks today, I would like to make one central point: The youth challenge is the most critical 21st century economic development challenge facing the Middle East. In a region where almost 65% of the population is under the age of 30, long term prosperity and stability hinges on the opportunities afforded to this generation. While radicalism and terrorism remain critical security concerns, the majority of Middle Eastern youth are involved in a different fight: a fight for better education, jobs and affordable housing. It is on the back of this generation that the Middle East will build a future middle class - a middle class which can be a catalyst for more open and democratic societies. Therefore to advance U.S. interests in the Middle East, we need more than anti-radicalization strategy; we need a strategy that elevates youth-development alongside defense and diplomacy both in principle and practice.
Drawing both on our research at Brookings and a recent trip to Jordan, Syria and Lebanon where I worked with young people I would like to elaborate on this main thesis by focusing on three areas: first, to show that the Middle East is at a critical juncture and how a large youth bulge presents opportunities for growth and prosperity; second, to outline the main challenges facing youth in the region; and third, to showcase some of the implications for policy, especially U.S. policy with regards to the region.
Recognizing that the Middle East is at crossroads, we have to realize that there is a narrow window of opportunity to build a foundation for lasting prosperity. The region faces a scenario of double dividend or double jeopardy: for the first time in its modern history, the Middle East is simultaneously experiencing an economic boom and a demographic boon. The region is experiencing its best economic performance in three decades – oil and non oil producing countries alike are showing record growth. Second, the region has a large youth bulge, presenting a large pool of human capital which if used productively can usher growth and prosperity. If countries can take advantage of the confluence of these two historic gifts, they can create a virtuous cycle of higher growth, higher incomes and savings. Failure to do so will result in a double jeopardy: the economic and social exclusion of youth drains growth and creates social strife. But the time for securing this double dividend is now. The window of opportunity – where countries have fewer dependents - will close in the next ten to fifteen years.
Middle Eastern economies can seize this opportunity as many Asian economies have done. However, without urgent reform, the region risks missing this historic opportunity. Already, there are some alarming signs. Despite good economic growth, prospects for young people are not improving significantly or rapidly. This has been a central pre-occupation of the Middle East Youth Initiative – to understand why young people continue to be excluded.
I will be sharing some of the concepts and ideas that our studies and work have led to.
The majority of 15-24 and 25-30 year olds in the region are confronted with a new life phase we have termed waithood – a concept that refers to the bewildering time in which large proportions of Middle Eastern youth spend their best years waiting. It is a phase in which the difficulties youth face in each of these interrelated spheres of life result in a debilitating state of helplessness and dependency. Waithood can be best understood by examining outcomes and linkages across five different sectors: education, employment, housing, credit, and marriage.
Poorly prepared for the labor market by their educational systems, Middle Eastern youth face unemployment rates that are nearly twice the world average (20-40 percent compared to 10-20 percent). Furthermore, their queuing time for their first job is measured in years rather than months compared to their counterparts in Asia and Latin America. I’ve met many youth in the region who have waited 3-4 years for a public sector job.
With regards to housing – all the oil money flowing into the region has sent the costs of real estate soaring in urban cities. This often compromises young people’s ability to get married and lead independent lives. Furthermore, while credit allows youth in other parts of the world to smooth their future consumption, in many Middle Eastern countries, poorly functioning credit markets fail in their basic purpose.
As a result of not being able to afford a dowry, or a house, young Middle Eastern men are involuntarily delaying marriage, which in the region, is a rite to passage for adulthood, independence and legitimate sexual relationships. Today, the average age of marriage is on the rise in most Middle Eastern countries, imposing economic and social costs which have yet to be fully understood. All this compounds the dependency of youth on their parents.
So we get back to the question: why does this waithood persist even in good times? The root cause lies in the economic and social institutions and the signals they send which shapes behavior and decisions. Think of this as the invisible infrastructure – the rules of the game which organize society. In the Middle East, this invisible infrastructure is based on an education system which prepares youth for public sector employment, thereby reinforcing three problematic ideas. First, that a university education is the only prize worth pursuing. Second, the notion of a lifetime secure desk job. Third, that readiness for marriage is largely contingent upon both a university education and a stable job which only perpetuates the lure for degrees and desk jobs. But with globalization and privatization, this invisible infrastructure is no longer functioning as it should. Let me illustrate this concept with some examples and facts from the ground.
Parents in the region invest billions of dollars in private tutoring to increasingly prep their children for standardized tests, so children end up learning a narrow set of skills. Then donors and governments must spend resources re-training these very youth to given them a wider range of skills because of the limitedness and poor quality of their initial education. Public policy would be infinitely more effective if parents had the incentives to invest in broader skills, rather than governments and donors undoing the investment of parents.
Through a focus group we held in Jordan, we found that young men are willing to continue waiting for public sector jobs which may never materialize. They are not incentivized to search for a job in the private sector (informal or formal) because they feel the wait is much better than the stigma and insecurity attached to work in the private sector.
Why do youth who have lower opportunity costs not undertake more voluntary work? A Gallup poll in 2006/2007 asked Middle Eastern youth “in the last month, did you volunteer your time to an organization”. The regional average was just 11%; in countries like Jordan, only 4% of respondents answered yes. The reason is because youth and their families have no incentives to invest in volunteerism; neither public nor private sector jobs value these experiences, and universities base their decisions on nothing but national rankings on standardized testing.
But all is not lost – because here you have a region where parents are willing to do anything for their children; most youth are in school and spend years working for their future; and policy makers are increasingly more concerned about these issues.
Now I will touch upon the implications these challenges pose for policymaking with a particular focus on the U.S. perspective.
First, the youth challenges that the region is facing are driven by economic and social incentives, which in turn shape the decisions taken by millions of families and youth. Youth transitions constitute outcomes across several interconnected markets, most importantly in education, labor, credit, and marriage. Program and Policies need to exploit these inter-linkages. For example, if programs are going to provide credit to young people to start their own businesses, it is important to build-in clear criteria which are based not only on their diplomas but what they have achieved outside school to incentivize volunteerism and extracurricular activities.
Second, the chasm in U.S.-Middle East relations has emerged amidst greater convergence in ideas and aspirations. Triggered by a large youth cohort, the Middle East is undergoing change where it is aligning with fundamental drivers of globalization. The region has embraced the idea of market economy and values education. Middle Eastern youth ascribe to the fundamental pro-growth norms of behavior such as hard work and high investment in children including girls.
There is a strong foundation to build a future middle class. These are all areas where the U.S. is a leader. As the country with the world’s best record in harnessing the energy of youth, there is much the U.S. can offer the Middle East. The U.S. relationship with the region should be cast on broader terms, making youth development as a template for exercising smart power.
Key recommendations include exporting soft technology for institutional reform of education. Youth in the U.S. have a relatively smooth transition to adulthood compared to most advanced countries. Transitions to adulthood in the US are facilitated because of the close integration between the education system and the labor market. The U.S institutional set up may not fit the Middle East perfectly, but as with all exports, soft technology exports can be adapted to fit local conditions. The educational system in the U.S. has already provided the region with great institutions of higher education – such as the American Universities of Beirut and Cairo—which have produced many of the region’s leaders. The US can extend assistance on a broader scale encompassing curriculum reform for high schools, the transition from high school to university (reforms of university admission practices), and the transition from school to work. Government should create incentives for greater collaboration between Middle Eastern and U.S. non governmental organizations, research institutes and universities.
The challenge is how the U.S. can build on its strengths and can be seen as genuinely interested in economic development. At the moment, there is a lack of instruments for such an exchange. In fact, currently, the Foreign Assistance Act does not have an explicit window to target funds for youth. The language of the Foreign Assistance Act should be changed to overcome this policy flaw. Youth development should be given priority, particularly in countries experiencing “youth bulge” and high rates of youth unemployment.
And finally, the discourse on the Middle East is highly and exclusively political and lacks an economic development focus. Addressing Middle Eastern youth solely through the prism of potential extremism misses the opportunity for aligning U.S. policy with the aspirations of the majority of the moderate citizens in the Middle East. It alienates the very people we are trying to help. Currently, there is re-negotiation of the rules of the game in the region, and it is being spurred by youth, who we should be empowering and supporting.
By Navtej Dhillon, Fellow/Director of the Middle East Youth Initiative, co-presented at a panel of experts to congressional staffers from the Foreign Relations Committee on the implications and opportunities of the youth bulge and how states and outside organizations are trying to respond. Joining him were Honorable Marwan Muasher, Senior Vice President at the World Bank, and Ellen Laipson, President/CEO of the Stimson Center.
Qatar: Female Qatari national designs Qatar Business Women Award logo
The logo for the Qatar Business Women Award (QBWA) was created by Fatma Al Moghunni, a former outstanding student of the Virginia Commonwealth University of Qatar.
The inspiration for the logo came from the notion of female leadership in business and its contribution to the tremendous growth of the nation’s economy.
'The significant participation by female Qatari nationals in the growth of the economy and the potential for its future is what I wanted to capture visually,’ said the designer. 'In the logo, the female silhouette is draped with Qatar’s flag, demonstrating the role of women in shaping the country and conversely, the country’s role in defining the Qatari woman’s identity; one shapes the other. The Qatari female is facing a pearl which is a symbol of the country’s future and the harvesting of its rewards in terms of business growth and female leadership,’ she explained.
'Qatar is going through an impressive period of economic growth fuelled by its strong belief in its educated individuals. The Qatari woman is at the centre of this growth. She is taking confident steps in all sectors, shaping the nation’s future, with her male companion, side by side. Her success stories are an inspiration and a legacy for future generations. The design came to convey these concepts altogether in harmony.
The logo is kept delicate and simple, yet sophisticated and bold in announcing the success and appreciation of Qatari women,' concluded Fatma Al Moghunni. The logo for the Qatar Business Women Award bears the colours and designs motifs of the Qatar national flag. The crimson hues and indented triangular pattern of the flag have been kept intact and are seen surrounding the profile of a Qatari national woman.
Launched in December 2007 under the auspices of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Misnad, the QBWA was created to identify and reward excellence in female managerial ability in the Qatari workforce. The QBWA is open to female Qatari nationals over the age of 21 and accepts applications in two categories, namely 'business owners’ and 'business professionals’.
Two workshops have been conducted in Arabic and English to provide interested ladies with the relevant information and details about the application process and selection criteria for this unique award.
The QBWA is organised through a partnership between the Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Qatari Business Women Forum, and Qatar Shell and the award ceremony will take place on December 4th, 2008 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Doha.
-- www.ameinfo.com
The inspiration for the logo came from the notion of female leadership in business and its contribution to the tremendous growth of the nation’s economy.
'The significant participation by female Qatari nationals in the growth of the economy and the potential for its future is what I wanted to capture visually,’ said the designer. 'In the logo, the female silhouette is draped with Qatar’s flag, demonstrating the role of women in shaping the country and conversely, the country’s role in defining the Qatari woman’s identity; one shapes the other. The Qatari female is facing a pearl which is a symbol of the country’s future and the harvesting of its rewards in terms of business growth and female leadership,’ she explained.
'Qatar is going through an impressive period of economic growth fuelled by its strong belief in its educated individuals. The Qatari woman is at the centre of this growth. She is taking confident steps in all sectors, shaping the nation’s future, with her male companion, side by side. Her success stories are an inspiration and a legacy for future generations. The design came to convey these concepts altogether in harmony.
The logo is kept delicate and simple, yet sophisticated and bold in announcing the success and appreciation of Qatari women,' concluded Fatma Al Moghunni. The logo for the Qatar Business Women Award bears the colours and designs motifs of the Qatar national flag. The crimson hues and indented triangular pattern of the flag have been kept intact and are seen surrounding the profile of a Qatari national woman.
Launched in December 2007 under the auspices of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Misnad, the QBWA was created to identify and reward excellence in female managerial ability in the Qatari workforce. The QBWA is open to female Qatari nationals over the age of 21 and accepts applications in two categories, namely 'business owners’ and 'business professionals’.
Two workshops have been conducted in Arabic and English to provide interested ladies with the relevant information and details about the application process and selection criteria for this unique award.
The QBWA is organised through a partnership between the Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Qatari Business Women Forum, and Qatar Shell and the award ceremony will take place on December 4th, 2008 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Doha.
-- www.ameinfo.com
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Saudi Arabia: Women May Vote in Next Municipal Council Polls
The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs is seeking the help of renowned international firms and the United Nations to evaluate the first-ever local elections of municipal councils held in 2005, according to Prince Mansour Bin Miteb Bin Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minister of Municipal Affairs.
Whether women would be able to vote in the upcoming municipal elections, he said, would be in the hands of the election committee. Initially the election rules left women’s participation ambiguous.
The use of the masculine form in Arabic for all citizens reinforced reports saying women would be denied the vote. But the 2005 elections confirmed it. Women could run and vote in 2009, Municipal Affairs Minister Prince Miteb Bin Abdul Aziz was reportedly quoted as saying during the election in 2005. He said they were excluded not by the system, but by “time constraints.”
But the total voting experience has proved some progress. More than 60 percent of the decisions taken by the Municipal Councils across the nation has been carried out, giving a positive key indicator of the performance of the elected councils, he said.
Assistant minister hopes that future results will be much better with upcoming elections. Conflicts between the Municipal Councils and city mayors, or even among the council members themselves are normal in any work environment, especially for a new election experience in the Kingdom, he said.
-- Okaz, Salman Al-Sulami
Whether women would be able to vote in the upcoming municipal elections, he said, would be in the hands of the election committee. Initially the election rules left women’s participation ambiguous.
The use of the masculine form in Arabic for all citizens reinforced reports saying women would be denied the vote. But the 2005 elections confirmed it. Women could run and vote in 2009, Municipal Affairs Minister Prince Miteb Bin Abdul Aziz was reportedly quoted as saying during the election in 2005. He said they were excluded not by the system, but by “time constraints.”
But the total voting experience has proved some progress. More than 60 percent of the decisions taken by the Municipal Councils across the nation has been carried out, giving a positive key indicator of the performance of the elected councils, he said.
Assistant minister hopes that future results will be much better with upcoming elections. Conflicts between the Municipal Councils and city mayors, or even among the council members themselves are normal in any work environment, especially for a new election experience in the Kingdom, he said.
-- Okaz, Salman Al-Sulami
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Saudi Arabia: Blogging for change in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Jeans focuses on topics such as freedom of expression, human and women's rights, as well as democracy and justice.
Al Omran also runs the yawmyat blog in Arabic and is one of the co-founders of Saudi Blogs.
In addition to that, he regularly appears in mainstream media through interviews granted to outlets ranging from CNN to the Saudi Gazette or Agence France-Presse.
APN: Why do you blog?
AHMED AL-OMRAN: I started Saudi Jeans in May 2004 without a clear goal in mind. I just wanted to try this "new cool thing on the web" and practice my English. But a few weeks later, I noticed a good amount of interest and curiosity from readers in Saudi Arabia, so I started to take the blogging thing more seriously.
Why I blog? Because I want to be part of the change that is taking place in our country. I want to push for political and social reform, and I want to push for more freedom and more justice.
APN: What topics inspire you?
AL-OMRAN: I try to focus on political and social issues in the Kingdom, but of particular interest to me are topics like freedom of expression, human and women's rights, as well as democracy and justice.
APN: Do you practice self-censorship?
AL-OMRAN: I try very hard not to censor myself because if I did, there wouldn't be any point of having a blog. I don't think there are many taboos that I would refrain from touching. Yes, it can be dangerous to elaborate on one or two topics, but I believe you can always find a way to express your opinion without jeopardizing your safety.
APN: What do you see as the difference between a blogger and a journalist?
AL-OMRAN: That's a big question, and a difficult one as well. I think one of the main differences is the absence of an editor. Bloggers get a chance to communicate with audience directly, without filtration or being edited, which gives them more freedom and more power over information.
Another big difference is the style: bloggers use a human voice that is more genuine and more natural, while journalists must adhere to certain standards when reporting, which yields a bland and mechanic voice. I think both can be combined in one way or another: the human voice could be the result of the absence of editing.
APN: What has been your most popular post?
AL-OMRAN: I'm not quite sure but I guess it's the one titled, "Women's Driving: Do We Need Another King Faisal?" Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world where women are not allowed to drive a car, and it is one of the biggest debates in the Kingdom during the past years. In my post, I argued that we need a firm political decision by our leadership to solve this situation, similar to King Faisal's decision to introduce the education of girls in the 1970s when many people in our society were against it. However, he stood firmly behind his decision and today more than half of the college graduates in the country are female.
APN: What kind of comments do you receive? Do you moderate them?
AL-OMRAN: There is a lot of diversity in the comments, from those who agree with me wholeheartedly to those who fiercely disagree with me, and everything that is in between. I don't moderate comments, and enjoy the discussions amongst my readers, but sometimes things can get out of hand, in which case I am obliged to shut down the comments on a certain post.
APN: How did you choose the name of your blogs?
AL-OMRAN: As I explain in my About page: "The fact is, there's nothing called "Saudi Jeans" but this blog. There is no Saudi Jeans. I made up this name because I'm Saudi and I do like jeans. I think that "jeans" is a symbol of a lot of different things and ideas here in Saudi Arabia. Things and ideas that a lot of people say it's bad and it has no relation with our culture and traditions, but in the same time everybody use it and believe in it."
APN: Why did you choose to blog in English?
AL-OMRAN: As I said earlier, it was just to practice my English, but soon I realized that blogging in English means that you have a very wide and interesting audience, since it is a universal language.
(This article is part of a series of interviews with prominent bloggers in the Arab world by The Arab Press Network, a web portal by the World Association of Newspapers.)
Al Omran also runs the yawmyat blog in Arabic and is one of the co-founders of Saudi Blogs.
In addition to that, he regularly appears in mainstream media through interviews granted to outlets ranging from CNN to the Saudi Gazette or Agence France-Presse.
APN: Why do you blog?
AHMED AL-OMRAN: I started Saudi Jeans in May 2004 without a clear goal in mind. I just wanted to try this "new cool thing on the web" and practice my English. But a few weeks later, I noticed a good amount of interest and curiosity from readers in Saudi Arabia, so I started to take the blogging thing more seriously.
Why I blog? Because I want to be part of the change that is taking place in our country. I want to push for political and social reform, and I want to push for more freedom and more justice.
APN: What topics inspire you?
AL-OMRAN: I try to focus on political and social issues in the Kingdom, but of particular interest to me are topics like freedom of expression, human and women's rights, as well as democracy and justice.
APN: Do you practice self-censorship?
AL-OMRAN: I try very hard not to censor myself because if I did, there wouldn't be any point of having a blog. I don't think there are many taboos that I would refrain from touching. Yes, it can be dangerous to elaborate on one or two topics, but I believe you can always find a way to express your opinion without jeopardizing your safety.
APN: What do you see as the difference between a blogger and a journalist?
AL-OMRAN: That's a big question, and a difficult one as well. I think one of the main differences is the absence of an editor. Bloggers get a chance to communicate with audience directly, without filtration or being edited, which gives them more freedom and more power over information.
Another big difference is the style: bloggers use a human voice that is more genuine and more natural, while journalists must adhere to certain standards when reporting, which yields a bland and mechanic voice. I think both can be combined in one way or another: the human voice could be the result of the absence of editing.
APN: What has been your most popular post?
AL-OMRAN: I'm not quite sure but I guess it's the one titled, "Women's Driving: Do We Need Another King Faisal?" Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world where women are not allowed to drive a car, and it is one of the biggest debates in the Kingdom during the past years. In my post, I argued that we need a firm political decision by our leadership to solve this situation, similar to King Faisal's decision to introduce the education of girls in the 1970s when many people in our society were against it. However, he stood firmly behind his decision and today more than half of the college graduates in the country are female.
APN: What kind of comments do you receive? Do you moderate them?
AL-OMRAN: There is a lot of diversity in the comments, from those who agree with me wholeheartedly to those who fiercely disagree with me, and everything that is in between. I don't moderate comments, and enjoy the discussions amongst my readers, but sometimes things can get out of hand, in which case I am obliged to shut down the comments on a certain post.
APN: How did you choose the name of your blogs?
AL-OMRAN: As I explain in my About page: "The fact is, there's nothing called "Saudi Jeans" but this blog. There is no Saudi Jeans. I made up this name because I'm Saudi and I do like jeans. I think that "jeans" is a symbol of a lot of different things and ideas here in Saudi Arabia. Things and ideas that a lot of people say it's bad and it has no relation with our culture and traditions, but in the same time everybody use it and believe in it."
APN: Why did you choose to blog in English?
AL-OMRAN: As I said earlier, it was just to practice my English, but soon I realized that blogging in English means that you have a very wide and interesting audience, since it is a universal language.
(This article is part of a series of interviews with prominent bloggers in the Arab world by The Arab Press Network, a web portal by the World Association of Newspapers.)
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Qatar: Women fail to break into the boardroom
SOCIAL and cultural factors have impeded female participation in the boardroom of GCC companies, according to a survey.
In Qatar, the number of women on boards was far below the GCC average, said National Investor — which carried out the survey among 3,493 board members occupying 4,254 board seats across 582 listed companies.
It will take a while for women to make headway in economic participation, said National Investor, a privately owned regional investment and merchant banking group.
“Female board representation is very low in the GCC. This was largely expected before we finalised the results of this research,” said the survey.
Of the total board seats, women held only 63 seats, which is a mere 1.5% of the total.
“The small representation of women on regional boards (1.5%) is unsurprising and looks minuscule compared with 13.60% in America and 22% in Norway,” it said.
In Qatar, the proportion was a mere 0.3% (one female holding a board seat out of a total of 322 seats), it said.
Kuwait and Oman have the largest number of women holding board seats. The figure was 2.7% and 2.3% respectively. In Kuwait women held 30 seats out of a total of 1,101. In Oman the number was 21 out of 905.
In Dubai, females were represented in three out of a total of 259, a proportion of 1.2%, while in Bahrain, they had four of the total 402 seats, constituting 1%.
Social and religious factors do explain some inter-regional differences, National Investor said, adding elsewhere, the fiscal environment may favour male inheritance and consequently discourage the economic involvement of women.
The survey said it was unclear at this stage whether the proportion of women directors would change as markets mature.
“Our belief is that some effort is being made to increase female economic participation, and that any material change in the GCC is likely to take time,” National Investor said.
By Santhosh V Perumal, Gulf Times
In Qatar, the number of women on boards was far below the GCC average, said National Investor — which carried out the survey among 3,493 board members occupying 4,254 board seats across 582 listed companies.
It will take a while for women to make headway in economic participation, said National Investor, a privately owned regional investment and merchant banking group.
“Female board representation is very low in the GCC. This was largely expected before we finalised the results of this research,” said the survey.
Of the total board seats, women held only 63 seats, which is a mere 1.5% of the total.
“The small representation of women on regional boards (1.5%) is unsurprising and looks minuscule compared with 13.60% in America and 22% in Norway,” it said.
In Qatar, the proportion was a mere 0.3% (one female holding a board seat out of a total of 322 seats), it said.
Kuwait and Oman have the largest number of women holding board seats. The figure was 2.7% and 2.3% respectively. In Kuwait women held 30 seats out of a total of 1,101. In Oman the number was 21 out of 905.
In Dubai, females were represented in three out of a total of 259, a proportion of 1.2%, while in Bahrain, they had four of the total 402 seats, constituting 1%.
Social and religious factors do explain some inter-regional differences, National Investor said, adding elsewhere, the fiscal environment may favour male inheritance and consequently discourage the economic involvement of women.
The survey said it was unclear at this stage whether the proportion of women directors would change as markets mature.
“Our belief is that some effort is being made to increase female economic participation, and that any material change in the GCC is likely to take time,” National Investor said.
By Santhosh V Perumal, Gulf Times
Saudi Arabia: Critic Jailed After Decrying Justice System
JIDDAH -- An outspoken critic of the Saudi government who was previously jailed for calling for greater democracy has been arrested, his wife said Tuesday.
Matrouk al-Faleh, a professor of political science at King Saud University in Riyadh, the capital, was detained Monday after he left for work, said his wife, Jamila al-Ukla. Over the past year, Faleh has accused the Interior Ministry of disregarding laws that ban arrests without charge and guarantee the right to counsel.
An Interior Ministry spokesman was unavailable for comment on Faleh's arrest.
Saudi Arabia, an absolute monarchy that restricts press and speech freedoms, does not allow political parties, civil rights groups or demonstrations. But since King Abdullah took the throne in 2005, official tolerance of criticism and debate has grown.
Faleh, 55, a dissident with a long history of political activism, spent 18 months in prison and was released in August 2005 after a royal pardon.
Faleh was one of three activists, along with Ali al-Domaini and Abdullah al-Hamed, who were jailed in 2004 after calling for a constitutional monarchy and an elected parliament. They were banned from traveling outside the kingdom after their release.
Hamed, a lawyer and former academic, and his brother were sentenced in November to several months in prison for encouraging a group of women to demonstrate in front of the offices of central security in the central city of Buraidah to protest the detention of male family members without charge. After a failed appeal, the brothers began their sentences in March.
After visiting Abdullah al-Hamed in prison, Faleh on Sunday posted a three-page criticism of the Saudi justice system on several Web sites, including http://www.menber-alhewarandarts.net.
"Those who wanted to imprison Dr. Abdullah al-Hamed and his brother Eissa wanted to silence them and shut them up from saying the truth about the transgressions of the Interior Ministry and their abuses of human rights," he wrote. "Their ultimate goal is to strike at the peaceful campaign for constitutional reforms and its advocates."
By Faiza Saleh Ambah, Washington Post Foreign Service
Matrouk al-Faleh, a professor of political science at King Saud University in Riyadh, the capital, was detained Monday after he left for work, said his wife, Jamila al-Ukla. Over the past year, Faleh has accused the Interior Ministry of disregarding laws that ban arrests without charge and guarantee the right to counsel.
An Interior Ministry spokesman was unavailable for comment on Faleh's arrest.
Saudi Arabia, an absolute monarchy that restricts press and speech freedoms, does not allow political parties, civil rights groups or demonstrations. But since King Abdullah took the throne in 2005, official tolerance of criticism and debate has grown.
Faleh, 55, a dissident with a long history of political activism, spent 18 months in prison and was released in August 2005 after a royal pardon.
Faleh was one of three activists, along with Ali al-Domaini and Abdullah al-Hamed, who were jailed in 2004 after calling for a constitutional monarchy and an elected parliament. They were banned from traveling outside the kingdom after their release.
Hamed, a lawyer and former academic, and his brother were sentenced in November to several months in prison for encouraging a group of women to demonstrate in front of the offices of central security in the central city of Buraidah to protest the detention of male family members without charge. After a failed appeal, the brothers began their sentences in March.
After visiting Abdullah al-Hamed in prison, Faleh on Sunday posted a three-page criticism of the Saudi justice system on several Web sites, including http://www.menber-alhewarandarts.net.
"Those who wanted to imprison Dr. Abdullah al-Hamed and his brother Eissa wanted to silence them and shut them up from saying the truth about the transgressions of the Interior Ministry and their abuses of human rights," he wrote. "Their ultimate goal is to strike at the peaceful campaign for constitutional reforms and its advocates."
By Faiza Saleh Ambah, Washington Post Foreign Service
Saudi Arabia: Group Aims to Provide Skills and Employ Women in Need
JEDDAH — A local nongovernmental organization has announced a new drive to help women in need by providing them with job skills and creating a company to prepare meals for educational institutions for girls and women.
Bodour Al-Butaini, executive director of the 10-year-old Abshir organization, said that her group’s new initiatives aim to recruit and train widows, divorcees and low-income women in the northern provinces of Tabuk and Al-Jouf.
“We train them in skills such as plumbing and preparing meals,” she said. “We work in four colleges of education for girls around Tabuk and Al-Jouf.”
The program aims to provide technical education to these women, who would then be employed in maintenance and public utilities in women’s colleges and secondary schools.
Abshir’s new initiatives also include launching Al-Madinah Company for Food and Catering, a planned joint-stock company in Madinah, with the aim of providing employment for up to 500 of these women. The company would take some of the women trained through Abshir and employ them in food preparation and catering at local schools and colleges for women.
According to Abdul Aziz Al-Jammal, the founder of Abshir, the project has the endorsement of Madinah Gov. Prince Abdul Aziz ibn Majed to create this company with SR5 million as start-up capital.
A memorandum was recently signed between Abshir project developers and the National Committee for Young Entrepreneurs at the Madinah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“The project aspires to help and recruit thousands of women. In the event of the project’s expansion, it will provide better training and qualifications for women and also new fields of work,” Al-Butaini said.
She also said that salaries for these women would start modestly, at SR900 a month, with the potential of reaching SR2,000.
“We also recruit college and university graduates as supervisors, but our main focus is widows and divorcees that are in dire need for money and help,” she added.
Laura Bashraheel, Arab News
Bodour Al-Butaini, executive director of the 10-year-old Abshir organization, said that her group’s new initiatives aim to recruit and train widows, divorcees and low-income women in the northern provinces of Tabuk and Al-Jouf.
“We train them in skills such as plumbing and preparing meals,” she said. “We work in four colleges of education for girls around Tabuk and Al-Jouf.”
The program aims to provide technical education to these women, who would then be employed in maintenance and public utilities in women’s colleges and secondary schools.
Abshir’s new initiatives also include launching Al-Madinah Company for Food and Catering, a planned joint-stock company in Madinah, with the aim of providing employment for up to 500 of these women. The company would take some of the women trained through Abshir and employ them in food preparation and catering at local schools and colleges for women.
According to Abdul Aziz Al-Jammal, the founder of Abshir, the project has the endorsement of Madinah Gov. Prince Abdul Aziz ibn Majed to create this company with SR5 million as start-up capital.
A memorandum was recently signed between Abshir project developers and the National Committee for Young Entrepreneurs at the Madinah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“The project aspires to help and recruit thousands of women. In the event of the project’s expansion, it will provide better training and qualifications for women and also new fields of work,” Al-Butaini said.
She also said that salaries for these women would start modestly, at SR900 a month, with the potential of reaching SR2,000.
“We also recruit college and university graduates as supervisors, but our main focus is widows and divorcees that are in dire need for money and help,” she added.
Laura Bashraheel, Arab News
Monday, May 19, 2008
Kuwait: 'Oh No! Not Again!'
KUWAIT: Women's second battle for seats in an all male bastion, was met with defeat in every district. This left many Kuwaiti women feeling frustrated and bewildered. "Frankly, I am angry and sick to my stomach because of this election. I really believed this would be the year of the women and that at least one would win." said Iqbal Al-Nasser.
After Kuwaiti women incurred heavy losses in 2006, they hoped to elect the first female MP at least this year. "I believed we would have a woman MP today and I think many of us went into the elections with a very positive attitude; so it is disappointing," said Nouriya Al-Gharib. "We were energized and excited at the start. I thought it would turn out differently - we all did," said third district voter Aya Al-Maatouq.
She also added, "Since the women made a poor show in 2006, we imagined past experience would lead them to victory on Saturday.Twenty-seven women ran for Parliament in 2006 and a similar number contested the elections on Saturday. The highest number of female candidates were from the third district. Eleven women contested from the third constituency which is often referred to as 'Little Kuwait' owing to its diversity.
Third district candidates ranged from Islamist Salafists , Muslim Brotherhood, Independents and liberals. It was an ideal location for female candidates who faced fewer obstacles than their male counterparts in the conservative tribal and Islamist constituencies. "The third district is where we thought it would happen - and it almost did," said Amal Al-Rashid who voted at the predominantly tribal fourth district.
She said, "Women will be elected to office 20 years from now. My daughters may see a woman elected from the fourth district when they grow-up. But the third district will definitely see a woman elected in the next elections - Inshallah!Third district candidate Aseel Al-Awadhi received 5,173 votes which placed her eleventh, just shy of the tenth place. Had she received 6,058 votes, she would have become the first female MP.
She had allied with several other candidates from the National Democratic Alliance, leading some voters to believe that she stood a better chance than other female candidates. None of them received support from any particular political bloc, "What's great about Aseel is that she received a substantial number of votes in her first campaign. She may fare better in the next election." said Mai Al-Mansour.
If you want me to say that I am thinking about the next elections, I cannot. I am just frustrated and sad." said Al-Awadhi supporter Fauziya Al-Odah who noted, "Even with the support of the alliance she lost.-. we lost.
Many third district women who spoke to Kuwait Times had pinned their hopes on Rola Dashti. Dashti, who garnered 4464 votes was placed in 13th, position. She received the highest number of votes in the 2006 and has been a regular at the political scene as an activist, before women gained suffrage. "I am sad for Kuwait and also confused. I believed Rola would be certainly elected." said Fatema Al-Rekhayes.
She added, "Rola did not get the support from voters that she deserves. She would have made a brilliantMP.Shroq Al-Yehya commented on the defeat, "Not again... I will mourn today. But tomorrow we will bounce back. I know we will elect women, it is only a matter of when.
By Ahmad Al-Khalid, Staff writer for Kuwait Times
After Kuwaiti women incurred heavy losses in 2006, they hoped to elect the first female MP at least this year. "I believed we would have a woman MP today and I think many of us went into the elections with a very positive attitude; so it is disappointing," said Nouriya Al-Gharib. "We were energized and excited at the start. I thought it would turn out differently - we all did," said third district voter Aya Al-Maatouq.
She also added, "Since the women made a poor show in 2006, we imagined past experience would lead them to victory on Saturday.Twenty-seven women ran for Parliament in 2006 and a similar number contested the elections on Saturday. The highest number of female candidates were from the third district. Eleven women contested from the third constituency which is often referred to as 'Little Kuwait' owing to its diversity.
Third district candidates ranged from Islamist Salafists , Muslim Brotherhood, Independents and liberals. It was an ideal location for female candidates who faced fewer obstacles than their male counterparts in the conservative tribal and Islamist constituencies. "The third district is where we thought it would happen - and it almost did," said Amal Al-Rashid who voted at the predominantly tribal fourth district.
She said, "Women will be elected to office 20 years from now. My daughters may see a woman elected from the fourth district when they grow-up. But the third district will definitely see a woman elected in the next elections - Inshallah!Third district candidate Aseel Al-Awadhi received 5,173 votes which placed her eleventh, just shy of the tenth place. Had she received 6,058 votes, she would have become the first female MP.
She had allied with several other candidates from the National Democratic Alliance, leading some voters to believe that she stood a better chance than other female candidates. None of them received support from any particular political bloc, "What's great about Aseel is that she received a substantial number of votes in her first campaign. She may fare better in the next election." said Mai Al-Mansour.
If you want me to say that I am thinking about the next elections, I cannot. I am just frustrated and sad." said Al-Awadhi supporter Fauziya Al-Odah who noted, "Even with the support of the alliance she lost.-. we lost.
Many third district women who spoke to Kuwait Times had pinned their hopes on Rola Dashti. Dashti, who garnered 4464 votes was placed in 13th, position. She received the highest number of votes in the 2006 and has been a regular at the political scene as an activist, before women gained suffrage. "I am sad for Kuwait and also confused. I believed Rola would be certainly elected." said Fatema Al-Rekhayes.
She added, "Rola did not get the support from voters that she deserves. She would have made a brilliantMP.Shroq Al-Yehya commented on the defeat, "Not again... I will mourn today. But tomorrow we will bounce back. I know we will elect women, it is only a matter of when.
By Ahmad Al-Khalid, Staff writer for Kuwait Times
Kuwait: Islamists Win 24 of 50 Seats in Parliament of Kuwait
BEIRUT, Lebanon — Islamist candidates won 24 of 50 seats in Kuwait’s parliamentary elections on Saturday, a gain of two seats over their total in the last round of elections there two years ago, according to official results released Sunday.
Liberal candidates and their allies won seven seats, one fewer than in the last round. None of the 27 women who ran won in what was the second election since women were granted the right to vote and run for office in 2005.
Economic issues dominated the monthlong election campaign, and it was not clear how the Islamists’ greater share of power would affect the Kuwaiti Parliament, one of the most powerful and active legislatures in the Arab world. There are no legally recognized political parties in Kuwait, and affiliation is flexible.
“It’s a sign of a more conservative mood in the society,” said Nasser al-Sane, an Islamist candidate who won a seat. “But to have a conservative color does not mean that we are against economic reform.”
Tribally oriented candidates, who, like Islamists, tend to be conservative on social issues, also did well, Mr. Sane added.
Kuwait’s emir, Sheik Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah, dissolved the Parliament in March after cabinet ministers resigned, saying they were frustrated by repeated confrontations with lawmakers.
The election campaign itself was a striking departure from the past because of a new election law that reduced the number of districts to 5 from 25, forcing candidates to take their messages to many more constituents. Lawmakers fought for the change in 2006, arguing that the smaller districts allowed candidates to buy votes more easily. Voters chose up to four candidates in their respective districts.
The campaign relied heavily on the media, with new newspapers and satellite TV stations carrying election coverage intensively. In the past, candidates depended mostly on personal ties with voters at diwaniyas, traditional evening social gatherings.
Candidates from Kuwait’s minority Shiite community won five seats, one more than the last round. They were energized by a dispute in February when the authorities questioned former Shiite members of the Kuwaiti Parliament who had sent condolences to the militant Shiite group Hezbollah after the assassination of Imad Mugniyah, one of its top commanders.
Economic reform was an important issue for many voters. Despite its vast oil wealth, Kuwait has let hospitals, schools and roads crumble, and some citizens would like to emulate the more vibrant private sectors of Persian Gulf neighbors like the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
About 360,000 people were eligible to vote of a population of 2.6 million. Foreigners — more than a third of the population — cannot vote.
-- Robert Worth, New York Times
Liberal candidates and their allies won seven seats, one fewer than in the last round. None of the 27 women who ran won in what was the second election since women were granted the right to vote and run for office in 2005.
Economic issues dominated the monthlong election campaign, and it was not clear how the Islamists’ greater share of power would affect the Kuwaiti Parliament, one of the most powerful and active legislatures in the Arab world. There are no legally recognized political parties in Kuwait, and affiliation is flexible.
“It’s a sign of a more conservative mood in the society,” said Nasser al-Sane, an Islamist candidate who won a seat. “But to have a conservative color does not mean that we are against economic reform.”
Tribally oriented candidates, who, like Islamists, tend to be conservative on social issues, also did well, Mr. Sane added.
Kuwait’s emir, Sheik Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah, dissolved the Parliament in March after cabinet ministers resigned, saying they were frustrated by repeated confrontations with lawmakers.
The election campaign itself was a striking departure from the past because of a new election law that reduced the number of districts to 5 from 25, forcing candidates to take their messages to many more constituents. Lawmakers fought for the change in 2006, arguing that the smaller districts allowed candidates to buy votes more easily. Voters chose up to four candidates in their respective districts.
The campaign relied heavily on the media, with new newspapers and satellite TV stations carrying election coverage intensively. In the past, candidates depended mostly on personal ties with voters at diwaniyas, traditional evening social gatherings.
Candidates from Kuwait’s minority Shiite community won five seats, one more than the last round. They were energized by a dispute in February when the authorities questioned former Shiite members of the Kuwaiti Parliament who had sent condolences to the militant Shiite group Hezbollah after the assassination of Imad Mugniyah, one of its top commanders.
Economic reform was an important issue for many voters. Despite its vast oil wealth, Kuwait has let hospitals, schools and roads crumble, and some citizens would like to emulate the more vibrant private sectors of Persian Gulf neighbors like the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
About 360,000 people were eligible to vote of a population of 2.6 million. Foreigners — more than a third of the population — cannot vote.
-- Robert Worth, New York Times
Saudi Arabia: Leading Woman Blogger Alhodaif Passes Away at 25
JEDDAH, 19 May 2008 — For 25 days supporters and friends of Saudi blogger Hadeel Alhodaif have waited anxiously, hoping that she would emerge from the coma she fell into unexpectedly.
But on Friday these hopes died as the 25-year-old writer and social critic — known for fearlessly using her real name in her criticisms — passed away.
Alhodaif, who maintained “Heaven’s Steps” (http://hdeel.ws/blog), often challenged other Saudi women to join her in stepping out of the shadows of anonymity and devote their writing to issues of social importance.
“I wish that Saudi women bloggers would step forward in their writing instead of simply writing their personal diaries,” she told Arab News in an interview last year. She said that blogging offered a unique opportunity in Saudi Arabia to create a “new free media” to face off against the entrenched establishment newspapers and television channels and give the public what they really wanted to know. In some cases she would appear in these media outlets, such as AlJazeera and Saudi Channel One.
Alhodaif was invited last year to Oman’s Sultan Qaboos University to discuss the role that Saudi blogs play in promoting the freedom of expression. Later that year she gave a lecture at the women’s section of the Riyadh Literary Club calling on women to start their own blogs to help influence public policy and opinion.
“I would like to educate Saudi women about the importance of blogging as an efficient medium that can greatly influence public opinion,” she said during her presentation.
When blogger Fouad Al-Farhan was detained late last year for openly defending a group of conservative academics that had been arrested for meeting and discussing the need for political reform, Alhodaif was the only Saudi woman who came out publicly calling for Al-Farhan’s immediate release. She started a “Free Fouad” website and created a forum on the social networking site Facebook to keep interested people up to date on the case.
“She was truly courageous speaking to the BBC Arabic eloquently and bravely about Al-Farhan’s detention when most Saudi bloggers wanted only to be quoted anonymously,” said a fellow blogger, who preferred to be quoted anonymously.
Al-Farhan was released last month after four months of detention without charges.
Alhodaif published a collection of short stories titled “Their Shadows Don’t Follow Them.”
Last year her play “Who Fears The Doors” was performed at the men’s section of King Saud University. In her blog Alhodaif mocked the fact that even as the playwright she was not allowed to attend the performance of her own work due to the university’s strict policy on the mingling of the sexes.
“I guess I have to beg the male audience to inform me how my play was produced,” she wrote in Arabic. “I hope that a day comes when I can attend a cultural function where the presence of women does not cause anyone an allergic reaction!”
Alhodaif’s Facebook profile shows a young woman who was interested in reading, writing and good food. Saudis from all ages and backgrounds — liberals and conservatives alike, those who knew her closely or from a distance, and even those who did not know her at all before — are mourning the bright skinny girl with high dreams and hopes of a better future for all Saudis.
-- Ebtihal Mubarak, Arab News
But on Friday these hopes died as the 25-year-old writer and social critic — known for fearlessly using her real name in her criticisms — passed away.
Alhodaif, who maintained “Heaven’s Steps” (http://hdeel.ws/blog), often challenged other Saudi women to join her in stepping out of the shadows of anonymity and devote their writing to issues of social importance.
“I wish that Saudi women bloggers would step forward in their writing instead of simply writing their personal diaries,” she told Arab News in an interview last year. She said that blogging offered a unique opportunity in Saudi Arabia to create a “new free media” to face off against the entrenched establishment newspapers and television channels and give the public what they really wanted to know. In some cases she would appear in these media outlets, such as AlJazeera and Saudi Channel One.
Alhodaif was invited last year to Oman’s Sultan Qaboos University to discuss the role that Saudi blogs play in promoting the freedom of expression. Later that year she gave a lecture at the women’s section of the Riyadh Literary Club calling on women to start their own blogs to help influence public policy and opinion.
“I would like to educate Saudi women about the importance of blogging as an efficient medium that can greatly influence public opinion,” she said during her presentation.
When blogger Fouad Al-Farhan was detained late last year for openly defending a group of conservative academics that had been arrested for meeting and discussing the need for political reform, Alhodaif was the only Saudi woman who came out publicly calling for Al-Farhan’s immediate release. She started a “Free Fouad” website and created a forum on the social networking site Facebook to keep interested people up to date on the case.
“She was truly courageous speaking to the BBC Arabic eloquently and bravely about Al-Farhan’s detention when most Saudi bloggers wanted only to be quoted anonymously,” said a fellow blogger, who preferred to be quoted anonymously.
Al-Farhan was released last month after four months of detention without charges.
Alhodaif published a collection of short stories titled “Their Shadows Don’t Follow Them.”
Last year her play “Who Fears The Doors” was performed at the men’s section of King Saud University. In her blog Alhodaif mocked the fact that even as the playwright she was not allowed to attend the performance of her own work due to the university’s strict policy on the mingling of the sexes.
“I guess I have to beg the male audience to inform me how my play was produced,” she wrote in Arabic. “I hope that a day comes when I can attend a cultural function where the presence of women does not cause anyone an allergic reaction!”
Alhodaif’s Facebook profile shows a young woman who was interested in reading, writing and good food. Saudis from all ages and backgrounds — liberals and conservatives alike, those who knew her closely or from a distance, and even those who did not know her at all before — are mourning the bright skinny girl with high dreams and hopes of a better future for all Saudis.
-- Ebtihal Mubarak, Arab News
Saudi Arabia: Al-Angari Blames Ignorance of Rights for Women’s Plight
JEDDAH, 19 May 2008 — Ignorance, lack of awareness about their rights and lack of appreciation by society are why Saudi women are in their current situation.
This was emphasized by Al-Jowhara Al-Angari, vice chairman of the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) on Saturday night at a meeting organized by the Khadijah Bint Khuwailid Center at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI).
Basmah Omair, the center director, introduced Al-Angari and requested that all mobiles be placed on silent mode.
Al-Angari’s wide-ranging discussion covered most aspects concerning women and she exhorted them to take an active role in making a difference. “When a door is locked, it is not going to open on its own. You’ve got to bang on it, on and on for it to open,” said Al-Angari. “Women are afflicted with ignorance. We can’t claim our rights unless we know them.”
Al-Angari said that women in Islam have legal, social, political and civil rights. Islamic tolerance should not be confused with social norms and traditions. Women in early Islam were recognized as individuals with rights and voices and they acted accordingly. She illustrated this with examples from Islamic history. Citing that history, she questioned where, in comparison, women are today.
“Women pledged allegiance to the Prophet (peace be upon him). During the Al-Hudaybiya Treaty, the Prophet asked his wife Umm Salamah for advice which he later took,” added Al-Angari. “Asma bint Abu Bakr (daughter of one of the Prophet’s companions) carried food and water on foot alone to the Prophet and her father when they took refuge in Thawr Cave, outside Makkah,” she cited as another example of women’s initiative during the Prophet’s time.
She urged the almost 600 women present to know their rights and ask for them.
As Al-Angari continued with the discussion, more women — one or two with their children — continued to join the session. As she spoke, every now and then “Bless her” or “May Allah give her life” could be heard among those seated. The discussion drew women from all levels of society.
In the middle of the discussion, a couple of mobiles rang and Basmah Omair repeated her request that all mobiles be put on silent mode. At this point in one of the front rows, an elderly woman whose mobile was disturbing the meeting fumbled briefly with the phone before asking those around her to silence her ringing mobile. A mother continuously rocked her infant to keep her quiet throughout the session in order to benefit from the discussion. Women sitting beside her were seen to help her in her attempt to keep the child quiet.
All the women heard Al-Angari mention how Saudi women’s contributions and merits were further reinforced by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s inclusion of women in delegations during his state visits. The king continuously meets with Saudi women from different fields to discuss various issues. This is nothing new as far as Muslims are concerned. During Umar ibn Al-Khattab’s reign in 634 AH, Muslim women took the lead in different ways. He appointed Samra bint Nuhayk Al-Asadiyya as a market inspector in Makkah and Ash-Shifa bint Abdullah as an administrator of the market in Madinah. Later, Ash-Shifa was appointed as the head of health and safety in Basra, Iraq.
In comparison, the current status of Saudi women is far behind the times. But the situation of women and the discrimination they endure worldwide is much the same. “One in four women in the world suffers from physical abuse. One in three women is illiterate and one in two women suffers from poverty,” said Al-Angari. “Women are not paid the same as men for doing the same job in different parts of the world.”
While Saudi women are paid the same as men — this is a law — they cannot be released from prison without a legal male guardian despite a Saudi law which states otherwise. “The law says that it is prohibited to delay the procedure of releasing the prisoners,” Al-Angari said, adding that a prisoner — man or woman — must be released immediately after completing their sentence.
Al-Angari went on to mention other forms of discrimination Saudi women are subjected to.
Inheritance laws are not applicable to Saudi women married to non-Saudi men and their non-Saudi children. Her family, excluding her husband and children, inherits her assets. Additionally, Saudi women cannot donate their organs after death without the consent of legal guardians.
Another major problem is that regulations and laws pertaining to women are not implemented.
For example, Al-Angari said, according to Saudi law, a 45-year-old woman can travel without the presence or the consent of a legal male guardian. Not only is this not implemented, it is not even publicly known. “The reason why women are so ignorant of their rights is because they are not taught their rights in schools,” said Al-Angari.
Aside from the lack of implementation and knowledge of the laws, she attributed problem areas to some of the regulations themselves. “33.60 percent of the civil status issues that we receive in NSHR show that there is a deficiency in some regulations,” Al-Angari explained.
“A mother of four girls went to her husband who was in jail for drug abuse and possession. She wanted his consent so she could get a job. The husband refused. She then went to the judge, filing for ‘khula’ (divorce by redemption). The judge ordered that she return the dowry,” said Al-Angari, wondering aloud how the woman could get the money for the “khula” when, in the first place, she was in search of a job because she had no money.
During the discussion, one woman raised the issue of men using the family card to buy shares and conduct business projects in the name of their wives without the wives’ knowledge. To that, Al-Angari said: “A civil family code should be established and handed to every woman when her identification card is issued in order to inform her of her rights. This is a system implemented in many Arab countries.”
When a woman touched upon the issue of many holding premium accounts in banks, Basmah Omair responded that for a woman to invest, she must appoint a male representative who has power of attorney. Unfortunately, there are many cases when the power of attorney is abused; hence many women prefer to keep their money in their bank accounts. She then emphasized that the Khadijah Bint Khuwailid Center provided legal assistance for women investors in drawing up a specified power of attorney which does not give absolute power to the representative.
Another woman said that she had many friends formerly married to educated and open-minded men. However, their husbands deprived the women of their children — custody and visitation rights — after divorce. “Islamically, this isn’t correct,” she said and then quoted a verse from the Qur’an: “No soul shall have imposed upon it a duty but to the extent of its capacity; neither shall a mother be made to suffer harm on account of her child, nor a father on account of his child, and a similar duty (devolves) on the (father’s) heir.”
Throughout the meeting, Al-Angari emphasized the responsibility and obligation women have to themselves and each other. The meeting ended with many women asking that men also be educated about women’s rights.
By Hassna’a Mokhtar, Laura Bashraheel & Somayya Jabarti, Arab News
This was emphasized by Al-Jowhara Al-Angari, vice chairman of the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) on Saturday night at a meeting organized by the Khadijah Bint Khuwailid Center at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI).
Basmah Omair, the center director, introduced Al-Angari and requested that all mobiles be placed on silent mode.
Al-Angari’s wide-ranging discussion covered most aspects concerning women and she exhorted them to take an active role in making a difference. “When a door is locked, it is not going to open on its own. You’ve got to bang on it, on and on for it to open,” said Al-Angari. “Women are afflicted with ignorance. We can’t claim our rights unless we know them.”
Al-Angari said that women in Islam have legal, social, political and civil rights. Islamic tolerance should not be confused with social norms and traditions. Women in early Islam were recognized as individuals with rights and voices and they acted accordingly. She illustrated this with examples from Islamic history. Citing that history, she questioned where, in comparison, women are today.
“Women pledged allegiance to the Prophet (peace be upon him). During the Al-Hudaybiya Treaty, the Prophet asked his wife Umm Salamah for advice which he later took,” added Al-Angari. “Asma bint Abu Bakr (daughter of one of the Prophet’s companions) carried food and water on foot alone to the Prophet and her father when they took refuge in Thawr Cave, outside Makkah,” she cited as another example of women’s initiative during the Prophet’s time.
She urged the almost 600 women present to know their rights and ask for them.
As Al-Angari continued with the discussion, more women — one or two with their children — continued to join the session. As she spoke, every now and then “Bless her” or “May Allah give her life” could be heard among those seated. The discussion drew women from all levels of society.
In the middle of the discussion, a couple of mobiles rang and Basmah Omair repeated her request that all mobiles be put on silent mode. At this point in one of the front rows, an elderly woman whose mobile was disturbing the meeting fumbled briefly with the phone before asking those around her to silence her ringing mobile. A mother continuously rocked her infant to keep her quiet throughout the session in order to benefit from the discussion. Women sitting beside her were seen to help her in her attempt to keep the child quiet.
All the women heard Al-Angari mention how Saudi women’s contributions and merits were further reinforced by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s inclusion of women in delegations during his state visits. The king continuously meets with Saudi women from different fields to discuss various issues. This is nothing new as far as Muslims are concerned. During Umar ibn Al-Khattab’s reign in 634 AH, Muslim women took the lead in different ways. He appointed Samra bint Nuhayk Al-Asadiyya as a market inspector in Makkah and Ash-Shifa bint Abdullah as an administrator of the market in Madinah. Later, Ash-Shifa was appointed as the head of health and safety in Basra, Iraq.
In comparison, the current status of Saudi women is far behind the times. But the situation of women and the discrimination they endure worldwide is much the same. “One in four women in the world suffers from physical abuse. One in three women is illiterate and one in two women suffers from poverty,” said Al-Angari. “Women are not paid the same as men for doing the same job in different parts of the world.”
While Saudi women are paid the same as men — this is a law — they cannot be released from prison without a legal male guardian despite a Saudi law which states otherwise. “The law says that it is prohibited to delay the procedure of releasing the prisoners,” Al-Angari said, adding that a prisoner — man or woman — must be released immediately after completing their sentence.
Al-Angari went on to mention other forms of discrimination Saudi women are subjected to.
Inheritance laws are not applicable to Saudi women married to non-Saudi men and their non-Saudi children. Her family, excluding her husband and children, inherits her assets. Additionally, Saudi women cannot donate their organs after death without the consent of legal guardians.
Another major problem is that regulations and laws pertaining to women are not implemented.
For example, Al-Angari said, according to Saudi law, a 45-year-old woman can travel without the presence or the consent of a legal male guardian. Not only is this not implemented, it is not even publicly known. “The reason why women are so ignorant of their rights is because they are not taught their rights in schools,” said Al-Angari.
Aside from the lack of implementation and knowledge of the laws, she attributed problem areas to some of the regulations themselves. “33.60 percent of the civil status issues that we receive in NSHR show that there is a deficiency in some regulations,” Al-Angari explained.
“A mother of four girls went to her husband who was in jail for drug abuse and possession. She wanted his consent so she could get a job. The husband refused. She then went to the judge, filing for ‘khula’ (divorce by redemption). The judge ordered that she return the dowry,” said Al-Angari, wondering aloud how the woman could get the money for the “khula” when, in the first place, she was in search of a job because she had no money.
During the discussion, one woman raised the issue of men using the family card to buy shares and conduct business projects in the name of their wives without the wives’ knowledge. To that, Al-Angari said: “A civil family code should be established and handed to every woman when her identification card is issued in order to inform her of her rights. This is a system implemented in many Arab countries.”
When a woman touched upon the issue of many holding premium accounts in banks, Basmah Omair responded that for a woman to invest, she must appoint a male representative who has power of attorney. Unfortunately, there are many cases when the power of attorney is abused; hence many women prefer to keep their money in their bank accounts. She then emphasized that the Khadijah Bint Khuwailid Center provided legal assistance for women investors in drawing up a specified power of attorney which does not give absolute power to the representative.
Another woman said that she had many friends formerly married to educated and open-minded men. However, their husbands deprived the women of their children — custody and visitation rights — after divorce. “Islamically, this isn’t correct,” she said and then quoted a verse from the Qur’an: “No soul shall have imposed upon it a duty but to the extent of its capacity; neither shall a mother be made to suffer harm on account of her child, nor a father on account of his child, and a similar duty (devolves) on the (father’s) heir.”
Throughout the meeting, Al-Angari emphasized the responsibility and obligation women have to themselves and each other. The meeting ended with many women asking that men also be educated about women’s rights.
By Hassna’a Mokhtar, Laura Bashraheel & Somayya Jabarti, Arab News
Saudi Arabia: State to protect women and kids from domestic violence
JEDDAH — There will soon be new regulations to protect women and children from domestic violence in Saudi Arabia, according to Hussein Al Sharif, head of the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR).
“There will be severe punishment for abusers and a new system to rehabilitate victims into society,” Al Sharif said. He said that people blame the NSHR when children are abused.
“People mistakenly think that the NSHR is an executive body. We are only tasked with monitoring and informing. Our role is to watch over governmental bodies and observe whether they respect human rights according to ratified international conventions and Shariah,” he explained.
“When we receive a complaint about child abuse we inform the concerned bodies, such as police and the ministry of social affairs, so they can take action. Then we monitor. This is the role of a human rights organisation, not only here but all over the world,” he said.
“We need to criminalise violence and all kinds of abuse. There is nothing on earth that justifies abuse,” Dr Majid Al Essa, head of the medical section at the National Family Safety Programme (NFSP), said recently.
“It is the foremost responsibility of every individual to help change the mindset that accepts abuse,” she added.
Dr Maha Al Munief, executive director, said NFSP aims to set up a national strategy to minimise the effects of domestic abuse. “We want NGOs to come forward in support of the programme. We want women and children to know their rights and ask for them,” she said.
In a study carried out by Dr Ali Al Zahrani, consultant psychologist for children and adolescents, on 3,000 students of primary, elementary and high school levels, it was discovered that 25 per cent of them were physically abused and 15 per cent sexually abused.
It may be noted that Princess Adela bint Abdullah has stressed the need for a professional strategy to create a balance in relationships between family members, because abuse of women and children is a real threat to the stability of the Saudi society.
Princess Adela said that one in every six women is abused daily verbally, physically, or emotionally. She said that 90 per cent of abusers are men.
“This is not a small number. Abuse against women and children is increasing astonishingly,” she added. Al Sharif said that there is a problem accommodating victims of domestic violence in Saudi Arabia.
During a meeting with General Turki Al Quinawy, head of the Makkah police, on Saturday, Al Sharif said that the holy city of Makkah area is in need of shelters to house victims of domestic violence.
Al Quinawy told Al Sharif that the police face difficulties, as there are only a few women’s shelters in holy city of Makkah. “We face a problem accommodating victims of domestic violence. Sometimes we leave them in the juvenile detention centres,” he said and suggested two ways of dealing with domestic violence.
“We need to increase people’s awareness about the problem and find official bodies — such as police centres, the Investigation and Prosecution Board, and the ministry of social affairs that could deal with the matter,” he said.
Speaking about existing shelters in Taif and Jeddah, Al Quinawy said that even the few in Taif and Jeddah need a lot of maintenance and improvements. Al Sharif said that during his visits to the Kingdom’s prisons, the NSHR did not find people illegally imprisoned.
“NSHR has not detected any cases like this, but sometimes papers are issued late,” he said.
“Through our periodic field investigations, we make reports that include positive and negative observations. We sustain the positive ones and try to offer suggestions to solve the negative ones,” he added.
By Habib Shaikh, Khaleej Times Online
“There will be severe punishment for abusers and a new system to rehabilitate victims into society,” Al Sharif said. He said that people blame the NSHR when children are abused.
“People mistakenly think that the NSHR is an executive body. We are only tasked with monitoring and informing. Our role is to watch over governmental bodies and observe whether they respect human rights according to ratified international conventions and Shariah,” he explained.
“When we receive a complaint about child abuse we inform the concerned bodies, such as police and the ministry of social affairs, so they can take action. Then we monitor. This is the role of a human rights organisation, not only here but all over the world,” he said.
“We need to criminalise violence and all kinds of abuse. There is nothing on earth that justifies abuse,” Dr Majid Al Essa, head of the medical section at the National Family Safety Programme (NFSP), said recently.
“It is the foremost responsibility of every individual to help change the mindset that accepts abuse,” she added.
Dr Maha Al Munief, executive director, said NFSP aims to set up a national strategy to minimise the effects of domestic abuse. “We want NGOs to come forward in support of the programme. We want women and children to know their rights and ask for them,” she said.
In a study carried out by Dr Ali Al Zahrani, consultant psychologist for children and adolescents, on 3,000 students of primary, elementary and high school levels, it was discovered that 25 per cent of them were physically abused and 15 per cent sexually abused.
It may be noted that Princess Adela bint Abdullah has stressed the need for a professional strategy to create a balance in relationships between family members, because abuse of women and children is a real threat to the stability of the Saudi society.
Princess Adela said that one in every six women is abused daily verbally, physically, or emotionally. She said that 90 per cent of abusers are men.
“This is not a small number. Abuse against women and children is increasing astonishingly,” she added. Al Sharif said that there is a problem accommodating victims of domestic violence in Saudi Arabia.
During a meeting with General Turki Al Quinawy, head of the Makkah police, on Saturday, Al Sharif said that the holy city of Makkah area is in need of shelters to house victims of domestic violence.
Al Quinawy told Al Sharif that the police face difficulties, as there are only a few women’s shelters in holy city of Makkah. “We face a problem accommodating victims of domestic violence. Sometimes we leave them in the juvenile detention centres,” he said and suggested two ways of dealing with domestic violence.
“We need to increase people’s awareness about the problem and find official bodies — such as police centres, the Investigation and Prosecution Board, and the ministry of social affairs that could deal with the matter,” he said.
Speaking about existing shelters in Taif and Jeddah, Al Quinawy said that even the few in Taif and Jeddah need a lot of maintenance and improvements. Al Sharif said that during his visits to the Kingdom’s prisons, the NSHR did not find people illegally imprisoned.
“NSHR has not detected any cases like this, but sometimes papers are issued late,” he said.
“Through our periodic field investigations, we make reports that include positive and negative observations. We sustain the positive ones and try to offer suggestions to solve the negative ones,” he added.
By Habib Shaikh, Khaleej Times Online
Saudi Arabia: Al-Angari Blames Ignorance of Rights for Women’s Plight
Ignorance, lack of awareness about their rights and lack of appreciation by society are why Saudi women are in their current situation.
This was emphasized by Al-Jowhara Al-Angari, vice chairman of the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) on Saturday night at a meeting organized by the Khadijah Bint Khuwailid Center at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI).
Basmah Omair, the center director, introduced Al-Angari and requested that all mobiles be placed on silent mode.
Al-Angari’s wide-ranging discussion covered most aspects concerning women and she exhorted them to take an active role in making a difference. “When a door is locked, it is not going to open on its own. You’ve got to bang on it, on and on for it to open,” said Al-Angari. “Women are afflicted with ignorance. We can’t claim our rights unless we know them.”
Al-Angari said that women in Islam have legal, social, political and civil rights. Islamic tolerance should not be confused with social norms and traditions. Women in early Islam were recognized as individuals with rights and voices and they acted accordingly. She illustrated this with examples from Islamic history. Citing that history, she questioned where, in comparison, women are today.
“Women pledged allegiance to the Prophet (peace be upon him). During the Al-Hudaybiya Treaty, the Prophet asked his wife Umm Salamah for advice which he later took,” added Al-Angari. “Asma bint Abu Bakr (daughter of one of the Prophet’s companions) carried food and water on foot alone to the Prophet and her father when they took refuge in Thawr Cave, outside Makkah,” she cited as another example of women’s initiative during the Prophet’s time.
She urged the almost 600 women present to know their rights and ask for them.
As Al-Angari continued with the discussion, more women – one or two with their children – continued to join the session. As she spoke, every now and then “Bless her” or “May Allah give her life” could be heard among those seated. The discussion drew women from all levels of society.
In the middle of the discussion, a couple of mobiles rang and Basmah Omair repeated her request that all mobiles be put on silent mode. At this point in one of the front rows, an elderly woman whose mobile was disturbing the meeting fumbled briefly with the phone before asking those around her to silence her ringing mobile. A mother continuously rocked her infant to keep her quiet throughout the session in order to benefit from the discussion. Women sitting beside her were seen to help her in her attempt to keep the child quiet.
All the women heard Al-Angari mention how Saudi women’s contributions and merits were further reinforced by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s inclusion of women in delegations during his state visits. The king continuously meets with Saudi women from different fields to discuss various issues. This is nothing new as far as Muslims are concerned. During Umar ibn Al-Khattab’s reign in 634 AH, Muslim women took the lead in different ways. He appointed Samra bint Nuhayk Al-Asadiyya as a market inspector in Makkah and Ash-Shifa bint Abdullah as an administrator of the market in Madinah. Later, Ash-Shifa was appointed as the head of health and safety in Basra, Iraq.
In comparison, the current status of Saudi women is far behind the times. But the situation of women and the discrimination they endure worldwide is much the same. “One in four women in the world suffers from physical abuse. One in three women is illiterate and one in two women suffers from poverty,” said Al-Angari. “Women are not paid the same as men for doing the same job in different parts of the world.”
While Saudi women are paid the same as men – this is a law – they cannot be released from prison without a legal male guardian despite a Saudi law which states otherwise. “The law says that it is prohibited to delay the procedure of releasing the prisoners,” Al-Angari said, adding that a prisoner – man or woman – must be released immediately after completing their sentence.
Al-Angari went on to mention other forms of discrimination Saudi women are subjected to.
Inheritance laws are not applicable to Saudi women married to non-Saudi men and their non-Saudi children. Her family, excluding her husband and children, inherits her assets. Additionally, Saudi women cannot donate their organs after death without the consent of legal guardians.
Another major problem is that regulations and laws pertaining to women are not implemented.
For example, Al-Angari said, according to Saudi law, a 45-year-old woman can travel without the presence or the consent of a legal male guardian. Not only is this not implemented, it is not even publicly known. “The reason why women are so ignorant of their rights is because they are not taught their rights in schools,” said Al-Angari.
Aside from the lack of implementation and knowledge of the laws, she attributed problem areas to some of the regulations themselves. “33.60 percent of the civil status issues that we receive in NSHR show that there is a deficiency in some regulations,” Al-Angari explained.
“A mother of four girls went to her husband who was in jail for drug abuse and possession. She wanted his consent so she could get a job. The husband refused. She then went to the judge, filing for ‘khula’ (divorce by redemption). The judge ordered that she return the dowry,” said Al-Angari, wondering aloud how the woman could get the money for the “khula” when, in the first place, she was in search of a job because she had no money.
During the discussion, one woman raised the issue of men using the family card to buy shares and conduct business projects in the name of their wives without the wives’ knowledge. To that, Al-Angari said: “A civil family code should be established and handed to every woman when her identification card is issued in order to inform her of her rights. This is a system implemented in many Arab countries.”
When a woman touched upon the issue of many holding premium accounts in banks, Basmah Omair responded that for a woman to invest, she must appoint a male representative who has power of attorney. Unfortunately, there are many cases when the power of attorney is abused; hence many women prefer to keep their money in their bank accounts. She then emphasized that the Khadijah Bint Khuwailid Center provided legal assistance for women investors in drawing up a specified power of attorney which does not give absolute power to the representative.
Another woman said that she had many friends formerly married to educated and open-minded men. However, their husbands deprived the women of their children – custody and visitation rights – after divorce. “Islamically, this isn’t correct,” she said and then quoted a verse from the Qur’an: “No soul shall have imposed upon it a duty but to the extent of its capacity; neither shall a mother be made to suffer harm on account of her child, nor a father on account of his child, and a similar duty (devolves) on the (father’s) heir.”
Throughout the meeting, Al-Angari emphasized the responsibility and obligation women have to themselves and each other. The meeting ended with many women asking that men also be educated about women’s rights.
-- Hassna’a Mokhtar, Laura Bashraheel & Somayya Jabarti, Arab News
This was emphasized by Al-Jowhara Al-Angari, vice chairman of the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) on Saturday night at a meeting organized by the Khadijah Bint Khuwailid Center at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI).
Basmah Omair, the center director, introduced Al-Angari and requested that all mobiles be placed on silent mode.
Al-Angari’s wide-ranging discussion covered most aspects concerning women and she exhorted them to take an active role in making a difference. “When a door is locked, it is not going to open on its own. You’ve got to bang on it, on and on for it to open,” said Al-Angari. “Women are afflicted with ignorance. We can’t claim our rights unless we know them.”
Al-Angari said that women in Islam have legal, social, political and civil rights. Islamic tolerance should not be confused with social norms and traditions. Women in early Islam were recognized as individuals with rights and voices and they acted accordingly. She illustrated this with examples from Islamic history. Citing that history, she questioned where, in comparison, women are today.
“Women pledged allegiance to the Prophet (peace be upon him). During the Al-Hudaybiya Treaty, the Prophet asked his wife Umm Salamah for advice which he later took,” added Al-Angari. “Asma bint Abu Bakr (daughter of one of the Prophet’s companions) carried food and water on foot alone to the Prophet and her father when they took refuge in Thawr Cave, outside Makkah,” she cited as another example of women’s initiative during the Prophet’s time.
She urged the almost 600 women present to know their rights and ask for them.
As Al-Angari continued with the discussion, more women – one or two with their children – continued to join the session. As she spoke, every now and then “Bless her” or “May Allah give her life” could be heard among those seated. The discussion drew women from all levels of society.
In the middle of the discussion, a couple of mobiles rang and Basmah Omair repeated her request that all mobiles be put on silent mode. At this point in one of the front rows, an elderly woman whose mobile was disturbing the meeting fumbled briefly with the phone before asking those around her to silence her ringing mobile. A mother continuously rocked her infant to keep her quiet throughout the session in order to benefit from the discussion. Women sitting beside her were seen to help her in her attempt to keep the child quiet.
All the women heard Al-Angari mention how Saudi women’s contributions and merits were further reinforced by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s inclusion of women in delegations during his state visits. The king continuously meets with Saudi women from different fields to discuss various issues. This is nothing new as far as Muslims are concerned. During Umar ibn Al-Khattab’s reign in 634 AH, Muslim women took the lead in different ways. He appointed Samra bint Nuhayk Al-Asadiyya as a market inspector in Makkah and Ash-Shifa bint Abdullah as an administrator of the market in Madinah. Later, Ash-Shifa was appointed as the head of health and safety in Basra, Iraq.
In comparison, the current status of Saudi women is far behind the times. But the situation of women and the discrimination they endure worldwide is much the same. “One in four women in the world suffers from physical abuse. One in three women is illiterate and one in two women suffers from poverty,” said Al-Angari. “Women are not paid the same as men for doing the same job in different parts of the world.”
While Saudi women are paid the same as men – this is a law – they cannot be released from prison without a legal male guardian despite a Saudi law which states otherwise. “The law says that it is prohibited to delay the procedure of releasing the prisoners,” Al-Angari said, adding that a prisoner – man or woman – must be released immediately after completing their sentence.
Al-Angari went on to mention other forms of discrimination Saudi women are subjected to.
Inheritance laws are not applicable to Saudi women married to non-Saudi men and their non-Saudi children. Her family, excluding her husband and children, inherits her assets. Additionally, Saudi women cannot donate their organs after death without the consent of legal guardians.
Another major problem is that regulations and laws pertaining to women are not implemented.
For example, Al-Angari said, according to Saudi law, a 45-year-old woman can travel without the presence or the consent of a legal male guardian. Not only is this not implemented, it is not even publicly known. “The reason why women are so ignorant of their rights is because they are not taught their rights in schools,” said Al-Angari.
Aside from the lack of implementation and knowledge of the laws, she attributed problem areas to some of the regulations themselves. “33.60 percent of the civil status issues that we receive in NSHR show that there is a deficiency in some regulations,” Al-Angari explained.
“A mother of four girls went to her husband who was in jail for drug abuse and possession. She wanted his consent so she could get a job. The husband refused. She then went to the judge, filing for ‘khula’ (divorce by redemption). The judge ordered that she return the dowry,” said Al-Angari, wondering aloud how the woman could get the money for the “khula” when, in the first place, she was in search of a job because she had no money.
During the discussion, one woman raised the issue of men using the family card to buy shares and conduct business projects in the name of their wives without the wives’ knowledge. To that, Al-Angari said: “A civil family code should be established and handed to every woman when her identification card is issued in order to inform her of her rights. This is a system implemented in many Arab countries.”
When a woman touched upon the issue of many holding premium accounts in banks, Basmah Omair responded that for a woman to invest, she must appoint a male representative who has power of attorney. Unfortunately, there are many cases when the power of attorney is abused; hence many women prefer to keep their money in their bank accounts. She then emphasized that the Khadijah Bint Khuwailid Center provided legal assistance for women investors in drawing up a specified power of attorney which does not give absolute power to the representative.
Another woman said that she had many friends formerly married to educated and open-minded men. However, their husbands deprived the women of their children – custody and visitation rights – after divorce. “Islamically, this isn’t correct,” she said and then quoted a verse from the Qur’an: “No soul shall have imposed upon it a duty but to the extent of its capacity; neither shall a mother be made to suffer harm on account of her child, nor a father on account of his child, and a similar duty (devolves) on the (father’s) heir.”
Throughout the meeting, Al-Angari emphasized the responsibility and obligation women have to themselves and each other. The meeting ended with many women asking that men also be educated about women’s rights.
-- Hassna’a Mokhtar, Laura Bashraheel & Somayya Jabarti, Arab News
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