Women in Saudi Arabia are to be given the right to vote and run in future municipal elections, King Abdullah has announced.
He said they would also have the right to be appointed to the consultative Shura Council.
The move was welcomed by activists who have called for greater rights for women in the kingdom, which enforces a strict version of Sunni Islamic law.
The changes will occur after municipal polls on Thursday, the king said.
King Abdullah announced the move in a speech at the opening of the new term of the Shura Council - the formal body advising the king, whose members are all appointed.
"Because we refuse to marginalise women in society in all roles that comply with sharia, we have decided, after deliberation with our senior 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."
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THEY DIDNT ALREADY?! geez, I knew they were bad with some things, but the VOTE?! God! How it must suck to be a woman in Saudi! They might let them drive in the next millenia if things keep up! wahey...(!) Such fishes..
"Because we refuse to marginalise women in society in all roles that comply with sharia.." Baloney!
"Verily, in the remembrance of Allah, do hearts find rest"
Argghh Billz you stole my joke.
I was gonna say " shame they're gonna have to walk to the poll station" :/
Lets reunite the ummah under one flag LA ILAHA IL ALLAH MUHAMMADUR RASULULLAH
haha! Nice one. I forfeit mine
"Verily, in the remembrance of Allah, do hearts find rest"
Great! A Move in the right direction; however, "a strict version of Sunni Islam"? What the hell?
There is no real Islamic rationale that can be used to justify barring women from voting.
“Before death takes away what you are given, give away whatever there is to give.”
Mawlana Jalal ud Din Rumi
A woman has recently been sentenced to lashes for driving in saudi (she had a mahram in the passenger seat). a few more are up for trial in the near future.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
:neutral: please, someone smack these people! or pull their beards :/
are women not allowed to go out at all without their mahrams?
and +1 with Lamp
"Verily, in the remembrance of Allah, do hearts find rest"
These kind of things get me angry
No wonder why people think and say Muslims are still living in the stone ages
My English is not very good
=No oil
My English is not very good
But will they share it with us? if Alax Salmond gets his way they are soon going to be an independent nation
My English is not very good
boycott? how?
"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi
Thats very unlikely with Hajj/Ummrah
"Verily, in the remembrance of Allah, do hearts find rest"
which is why I questioned it
"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi
vote for what exactly?
and calm down Billz.
Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?
general elections vote and I AM calm ya possoin
"Verily, in the remembrance of Allah, do hearts find rest"
Too bad democracy is haraam :roll:
Don't just do something! Stand there.
what elections?! aint there a king, and his fam, sitting atop the kingdom?
Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?
It's for the advisory council.
Btw, Yaqub was being joking, if someone didn't get that. lol!
“Before death takes away what you are given, give away whatever there is to give.”
Mawlana Jalal ud Din Rumi