Saudi Arabia: Women delighted at Obama’s address

Siraj Wahab | Arab News

ALKHOBAR: For women across the Muslim world, US President Barack Obama’s historic address from Cairo was nothing short of a blessing.

He acknowledged his respect for their personal choices and at the same time underscored his belief that their choices should be personal.

“God bless him,” said Asya Al-Ashaikh, founder and CEO of the Jeddah-based Tamkeen Development and Management Consulting. “He is a courageous man. It was a fascinating speech. He said all the right things. I am sure he will be able to translate all that he has spoken in Cairo into real action. His words will open a new chapter in our relationship with the US. He touched almost all the issues that concern us. What struck a chord within me was his focus on education and the empowering of women through education. ‘Our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons.’ I will always remember that line forever. It is so true.”

Obama divided his speech into seven sections, mostly political.

However, the sixth issue focused entirely on women’s rights.

“I know there is debate about this issue,” Obama said. “I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality. And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well-educated are far more likely to be prosperous.”

He echoed that long-respected American principle of self-determination.

“I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles, but it should be their choice,” Obama said.

“I was impressed by his talk. His selection of Cairo University to deliver his all-important address carried a very important message. This university is a symbol of Arab history and culture, of our education and civilization and of modernity. It is a very important institution,” said Hatoon Al-Fassi, a Riyadh-based Saudi writer and historian.

“His statement that the United States will partner with any Muslim-majority country to support expanded literacy for girls and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing is highly significant. It is a proposal that should be immediately grasped for the general good of the civilized world,” said Al-Fassi.

“Obama’s overtures to the Muslim world may still come with bogies attached, but his unequivocal support toward empowerment of Muslim women is a welcome sign indeed,” said Amna Khaishgi, a Dubai-based Pakistani broadcast journalist.

“Be it the West, Middle East or Asia, the role of women acquires the most critical dimension, and any progress will be incomplete without the participation of almost half the population on the planet. Women have always played and will continue to play a great role in the Muslim world but making it further participatory will surely be more than welcome.”

One Jeddah mother of four said although she was impressed by Obama’s speech she was unsure if his words would translate into policy decisions. “He is a genuine man but that doesn’t mean he will have an easy ride having his way in the United States,” said Aisha Al-Fassi.

“He is the president, yes, but there are other levers of power in the United States that are equally if not more important. Also, it remains to be seen how the American media will react. The pro-Israeli media in the US have exacerbated many of the problems. They have been feeding the American public with a steady anti-Arab and anti-Muslim diet. However, I have no doubt about the good intentions of Obama. I hope he succeeds in what he believes,” she said.

“His speech was excellent. It was comprehensive and balanced,” said Maha Akeel, managing editor of The Journal (issued by the Organization of the Islamic Conference). “Some might criticize that he repeated the usual stands of the US in support of Israel and the same rhetoric about peace and Islam and that we should wait for action instead of being happy with mere words.”

Some pundits cautioned Obama might be seen as lecturing the Muslim world, but he made it clear that the issue of women’s rights is a global one that many nations — including the US — need to address. Some women expressed hope that his words might advance that conversation in the Middle East.

“Obama’s speech to the Muslim world was one of hope and prospect. His address about women in the Muslim world was on the one hand one of respect toward religious and traditional differences and on the other hand one of encouragement to women,” said Sharia Abdullah Walker, a Jeddah-based Saudi student of international relations.

“It is time that women take their rightful role in their society, which is in demand for educated and professional women who can contribute to the growth and development of the society and humanity.”

“Obama’s views on women’s education are more than welcome. Certainly, it is one of the fundamental building blocks of growth and development,” said Sadia Khan, a student of Islamic studies at Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi. “It is indeed high time that the traditional and orthodox elements in the Muslim society assessed this very critical issue,” she said.

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Saudi Arabia: Women Politicians Meet President Bush

President George W. Bush emphasized that he maintains a good relationship with King Abdullah, and considers him as a close friend, adding that he also has a good relationships with number of Arab leaders.

During his meeting with 44 women, including eight Saudis, from nine countries in the Middle East and North Africa, President Bush said that “Today, there is no existence for the “Great State of Israel”, stressing that the Palestinian State will be established. He also considered that the Israeli-Palestinian dialogue as one of his presidential term’s achievements.

President Bush also criticized the accusations that were made against him during his presidency regarding his position “against Muslims”, stressing that such accusations were “wrong.” He underlined that the US took necessary procedures following 9/11 to protect the Americans from future attacks.

Regarding the Israeli-Palestinian issue, President Bush noted that before his presidency, the relation between the two sides (Israeli-Palestinian) hit the rock bottom and there was no real dialogue between them. However, he promoted dialogue and negotiations and each side now has a genuine aspiration for peace. He added “Today, the State of Great Israel does not exist, but there will be a Palestinian state.”

President Bush mentioned that a number of Arab countries supporting the peace process, including Saudi Arabia.

President Bush praised the role of Arab women, saying she will play a significant role in the future.

The Arab Women's delegation went to the United States upon the invitation of the State Department to examine the US presidential elections.

The delegation met with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Rice responded to the delegation’s questions, however, some of participants in the delegation expressed their dissatisfaction over Rice's refusal to answer questions related with the US policy in the Middle East.

-- Manal Al Sharif, Al Madina News

Middle East: Bush still hoping for two-state solution

WASHINGTON: President George W. Bush reaffirmed his commitment for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian issue and called on Saudi Arabia and other Middle East nations to work for a final resolution to the long-standing problem.
He made the remarks on Thursday at a White House reception for a group of more than 40 women from the Middle East and North Africa visiting the United States.

Bush told the delegation that he has moved Israel closer to accepting a two-state solution during his time in office.

“I believe there needs to be a Palestinian state, and I stand by it,” Bush said.
“More than six years ago, I became the first American president to call for the creation of a Palestinian state.”

Bush said he sympathized with the plight of the Palestinian people.

“I said that Palestinians should not have to live in poverty and occupation and I laid out a new vision for the future — two democratic states, Israel and Palestine — living side by side in peace and security.”

He praised Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah as both a great friend and ally and hoped that other nations would unite with America to seek an equitable solution.

“I have worked hard to change the terrible condition of Palestinians, and I ask for the support of Saudi Arabia and other Arab states to achieve this,” Bush said.

Bush dismissed notions of Islamophobia behind America's current stance in the Middle East and Iraq and spoke of his respect for Islam and Muslims.

“Muslims and Christians pray to the same God,” Bush said, vehemently denying reports that portray him as a person against Islam and Muslims.

Bush portrayed himself as a friend and an ally of Arab governments who support peace.

At the end of the meeting, he told the delegation he would be meeting with the mothers of American soldiers killed in Iraq, saying he has a duty to console them and “stand by their side.”

The delegation, consisting of women from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Yemen, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Qatar, is part of an exchange program to promote economic and educational reform in their home countries.

Samar Fatany | Arab News