Public Servant
While this won't likely bring immediate changes in the attitudes towards women in Saudi Arabia, it's absolutely great news and a good start.
"It is true that we are called a democracy, for the administration is in the hands of the many and not of the few."
The Shadows Devour You.
Oh blessed day!
EDIT: But wait, I thought Saudi Arabia was an absolute monarchy?
edited 25th Sep '11 5:56:37 AM by GameChainsaw
The term "Great Man" is disturbingly interchangeable with "mass murderer" in history books.
Decemberist
I guess the Arab spring really does work in mysterious ways.
Dutch Lesbian
YES! YES! This makes me very happy. I'm so glad to see a country like Saudi Arabia move towards reform on these kinds of human rights issues.
Space Wizard
Well, I suppose there'll be a lot of people who will disagree with this decision and cause quite some problems.
Nevertheless I very much appreciate the effort and their step forward.
Programming and surgery have a lot of things in common: Don't start removing colons until you know what you're doing.
"In distress", my ass.
It is, within the limits of Sharia (Islamic law) and the Quran.
The Shura Council (AKA Consultative Assembly
) can't pass or enforce laws, powers which are reserved to the king, but it's not completely powerless. See the link for details.
Proud Canadian
But can they drive a car?
If you don't like a single Frank Ocean song, you have no soul.
Massive step in the right directon in my opinion. It's a domino effect: once suffrage has been acquired other rights will follow on from that. It'll take a while, sure, but this is a good thing.
And let us pray that come it may (As come it will for a' that)
This is just a slippery slope towards progressive ideas of equality and Western feminism!
Good to hear, change takes time and comes in little steps.
"In distress", my ass.
No, but I don't know of anyone who thinks that the announcement means that things are now A-OK as far as gender equality goes. This can, however, potentially help set up for the proverbial camel's nose under the tent.
(The specific decision in the OP's articles isn't that nose in and of itself, though. The limitations imposed by Sharia make it a long, tough road.)
edited 25th Sep '11 8:04:06 AM by Nohbody
All your safe space are belong to Trump
Beware the Crazy Man.
I wouldn't exactly say its entirely the doing of the Arab Spring since the current King has tried to slowly bring in reforms little by little since before he was even officially King, but for sure it provided the opportunity to get this through...
Final Fantasy, Foreign Policy, and Bollywood. Helluva combo, that...
I changed accounts.
Good to hear!
edited 25th Sep '11 9:57:28 AM by Beholderess
If we disagree, that much, at least, we have in common
scratching at .8, just hopin'
Next step, the right to drive, own businesses, and divorce fairly!
Share it so that people can get into this conversation, 'cause we're not the only ones who think like this.
I changed accounts.
In the reverse order stated, I'd imagine...
I am now known as Flyboy.
This foreboding is fa...
Nah, I imagine it would be in that order. Driving and businesses are a lot less contentious than marriage and divorce, neither of the former being associated much with religion.
edited 25th Sep '11 10:40:20 AM by deathjavu
Look, you can't make me speak in a logical, coherent, intelligent bananna.
I changed accounts.
I meant in terms of importance, not realistic implementation...
I am now known as Flyboy.
Well, women's suffragism came before the sixty's civil rights movement. Maybe Saudi Arabia is headed that way too. (And this is mostly a reference to the fact that it will take some time, there were a couple decades or more between the events I referenced.)
I'm just hoping that this isn't somehow slammed down before it can happen. I'll be happier when I see it actually happen. Would any woman want to run in the next term?
I changed accounts.
At least they have the option to vote and run for office. I don't really know what we'd do, if anything, if it's no longer "women are oppressed" and more "women just don't give a damn in that culture." Fairly unlikely, but you never know. In the meantime, we can strike down legal barriers—or rather, encourage them to do so on their own—and hope the culture adapts...
edited 25th Sep '11 12:43:52 PM by USAF713
I am now known as Flyboy.
Dog and Pony Show
This was probably wise. Shari'a as Sunnis understand it does not strongly support hereditary monarchy, and shari'a is their only counterweight to the modern legitimizing myth of universal suffrage.
“Love is the eternal law whereby the universe was created and is ruled.” — St. Bernard
watching down on us
Oh, frabjous day! Calloo, callay!
Banned entirely for telling FE that he was being rude and not contributing to the discussion. I shall watch down from the goon heavens.
scratching at .8, just hopin'
Do explain in detail, please, Rott.
Share it so that people can get into this conversation, 'cause we're not the only ones who think like this.
Gristknife
I wonder if there will be disputes on day one about where the women sit, when they can speak etc. etc.
Charlie Tunoku is a lover and a fighter.
Dog and Pony Show
@Taoist: I'm thinking in terms of how states endure by convincing the people that they're legitimate. In the modern system, universal suffrage legitimizes the status quo because "If you don't like it, get the votes to change it."
It happens that Sunnis are distinguished from Shi'ites by the former believing that the office of Caliph was elective, not hereditary. So they can adopt elections from the modern system without weakening their claim to rule by shari'a.
“Love is the eternal law whereby the universe was created and is ruled.” — St. Bernard
From the BBC, another implausible headline.
He said they would also have the right to be appointed to the consultative Shura Council.
The news will be welcomed by activists who have long called for greater rights for women in the ultra-conservative kingdom.
The changes will take effect from next year, the king said.
King Abdullah announced the move in a speech at the opening of the new term of the Shura Council.
"Because we refuse to marginalise women in society in all roles that comply with sharia, we have decided, after deliberation with our senior ulama [clerics] and others... to involve women in the Shura Council as members, starting from next term," he said.
"Women will be able to run as candidates in the municipal election and will even have a right to vote."
The BBC's world affairs correspondent Emily Buchanan says it is an extraordinary development for women in Saudi Arabia, who are not allowed to drive, or to leave the country unaccompanied.
She says there has been a big debate about the role of women in the country and, although not everyone will welcome the decision, such a reform will ease some of the tension that has been growing over the issue.
2011 is proving to be an interesting year. This is a very good sign.
edited 25th Sep '11 5:49:56 AM by Pentadragon