Saudi Columnist on Women's Rights in Saudi Arabia

The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) ^ | Februari 20 2003

[knighthawk]

In an article published in the Saudi English daily Arab News, Saudi columnist Amr Muhammad Al-Faisal wrote of his surprise at learning of the limited rights granted to women in Saudi Arabia. The following are excerpts from the article:(1)

'Saudi Law Does Not Allow Women to Run a Business Even if They Own It'

"I have followed with great enthusiasm reports of the goings-on [at] the recently concluded Jeddah Economic Forum. Prominent among the stories was the presence of Saudi businesswomen at the forum. I discussed with one delegate, a well-known Saudi lawyer, the importance of these gatherings which can motivate and encourage businesswomen to publicize their contributions to the national economy. The lawyer advised me not to be impressed by such ideas; with an arch smile, he asked if I was aware that Saudi law does not give women the right to run a business by themselves even if they are the owner of the business."

"He then launched into explanations of the commercial laws that ban women from running businesses. A businesswoman who owns a company or even a group of companies worth millions of riyals has to appoint a male guardian or agent to run the business on her behalf. It is as if she were a minor or inexperienced, underage person who cannot be trusted to manage her own money and affairs. The woman, it seems, is allowed to work as an employee in her company but she cannot administer her company except through her agent. To tell the truth, all this information came as an utter surprise to me. I thank God that such information has not yet leaked outside our beloved country."

"As some of you might be aware, a group of people from this country - myself among them - have since September 11 been engaged in continuous discussions with foreign delegations which have been visiting our country. These people are coming here from various parts of the world, particularly Western countries. We meet them and try to explain to them the situation here, seeking to correct the distorted ideas they have about the Kingdom, its laws and traditions."

"These individuals criticize us for what they say is the persecution of women in this country, alleging that women are denied their rights and freedom."

"A great deal of discussion, sometimes intense and heated, centers on these issues. With the help of a number of Saudi women, we respond to their accusations and attempt to show them that their perceptions are not necessarily one hundred percent correct and that there are in fact a wide variety of views and opinions on these issues."

"Not allowing women to drive and not allowing girls to participate in sport at schools and colleges are some issues that we do indeed find difficulty in defending. All the same, we respond with arguments that we believe are at least in part convincing and can at least absolve us of the charge of persecuting women. In our discussions with these visitors, we invariably focus on the rights which Islam grants to women - and those include the right of women to acquire and manage wealth."

'I Fear This Could Become a Source of Great Embarrassment To... All Those Who Defend the Kingdom'

"Now after learning that women are not allowed by the Kingdom's laws to administer their own businesses, I fear this could easily become a source of great embarrassment to me and all those working to defend the Kingdom. We may not be able to present convincing reasons for what women are not allowed to do in the country that is the birthplace of Islam."

Endnote: (1) ArabNews.com, January 28, 2003.

[knighthawk]

'Saudi Law Does Not Allow Women to Run a Business Even if They Own It'

Islam-list

If people want on or off this list, please let me know.

[zook]

Saudi columnist Amr Muhammad Al-Faisal wrote of his surprise at learning of the limited rights granted to women in Saudi Arabia.

"And was I shocked to learn they are forced to wear these little scarf things on their heads!"

[buffyt]

And I cared about women's rights, equality only, not putting down men.... always cared about it. I always cared about civil rights... equality of all people. But once I had a daughter and two sons, I realized that equal rights for all people, including women, was so important. We have come a long way and have a long way to go. We are in the House and Senate, we own businesses, etc. I just want my daughter to always be able to do anything she wants to do, anything her brothers can do. USA is way ahead of Middle east on rights for women

[cavtrooper21]

Like this is a surprise, I'm not sure that Saudi women are even allowed to drive, much less run/own a company or Allah forbid, VOTE.

[buffyt]

And I cared about women's rights, equality only, not putting down men.... always cared about it. I always cared about civil rights... equality of all people. But once I had a daughter and two sons, I realized that equal rights for all people, including women, was so important. We have come a long way and have a long way to go. We are in the House and Senate, we own businesses, etc. I just want my daughter to always be able to do anything she wants to do, anything her brothers can do. USA is way ahead of Middle east on rights for women

[buffyt]

I may be going to live in the Middle East after the war is over. My husband is with Dow and they are supposed to build a huge petro chemical complex in Kuwait. I would have the opportunity to go live there for a few years. I don't know that I want to! I have six cats, first I would have to find out if my cats are welcome there. I could stay in USA and go visit for a month at a time, if my kids can baby sit my cats for me. I am so used to having near equality to men in USA.

[goodnesswins]

NO....believe me...you do NOT want your daughters to be able to do ANYTHING your sons can do.....really, you don't. (That's a scam because boys and girls ARE different.)

[cavtrooper21]

Kuwait is not as bad as Saudia Arabia, they may oppress their own women, but they leave the visitors alone (for the most part) I have two buddies that "advise" the Kuwaiti army, and so I get a pretty good idea of what is going on in that neck of the woods.
Overall Kuwait is fairly safe, aside from the Iraqis across the border. However, there are scores of different nationalities that live and work there, and MANY visitors. Many of whom don't like Americans. I would be low key, watchful and prepared. I'm not sure about concealed carry, but I know that my friends carry, and have shotguns in their residences. As for pets, I might think about long term baby sitting. Ask your vet, but I think there is a LONG quarintine for animals coming or going form that part of the world due to parasites, etc.
Best of luck to you.

[Bahbah]

Let me try to make buffyt's point another way. Not trying to put words in your mouth, dear buff, so forgive me missing the mark. I want my daughters to be anything that they want to do and are capable of. I don't want them held back by silliness. For instance, in the past pregnant teachers had to quit.

[goodnesswins]

YES...that makes sense....I should have maybe added a little /sarcasm to my post.....because no, we don't want to go back a hundred years....

[serinde]

"I want my daughters to be anything that they want to do and are capable of. I don't want them held back by silliness. For instance, in the past pregnant teachers had to quit."

Oops, be careful here. I made a similar remark one time and got totally blasted for being a feminist, and it was (solely) my feminist ideas that reduced this country to such sorry shape.

What I couldn't get across to those flamers was the point of your second sentence: "I don't want them held back by silliness."

YES, I agree that the benefits of a woman staying home and raising her children are great. (I stayed home with my daughter, who is in turn staying home with my granddaughter.)

I just don't want us to return to the idea that being a mother is all a woman is capable of, or allowed to do.

Your comment makes that point much better than I did. Thanks.

[Bob J]

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[hang 'em]

I want my daughter to be the next Margaret Thatcher
(unless she wants to stay home and raise my grandchildren).
Any of you knuckle dragging morons don't like it? ...ES&D.

[knighthawk]

Margaret Thatcher, she is the best European leader I can think of in the past 50 years.

[Skip Ripley]

If you put Margaret Thatcher and Jaques Chirac alone in an alley, who do you think is coming out alive?

My money would be on the Brit!

[knighthawk]

The Iron Lady vs Jaques zhe Frog? She would squash him!