RIYADH: A number of observers have welcomed the Shoura (Consultative) Council decision to allow women to vote and run as candidates in future municipal council elections, provided Shariah rules are respected with regard to gender separation. Dr. Muhammad Al-Nejami, a well-known Islamic scholar, said the Shoura Council decision is not in conflict with any Islamic law and jurisprudence academies. He said elected members represent their communities and the Shariah allows women to serve as representatives. He said that their participation must be accompanied by separate registration and polling centers so they can feel at ease exercising their rights. However, he felt it was necessary to first allow women to vote and not run as candidates. This would ensure that the public becomes accustomed to women taking up this right. Askr Al-Harithy said the Shoura decision is part of the King's plan to ensure women can become effective members of Saudi society. Women have a right to be part of the decisions that affect their daily lives, said Al-Harithy. He said he has not come across any objections to women's participation from any religious man or scholar. Khaled Al-Babtain, a lawyer, said he was surprised that it has taken so long for women to be accorded their rights bestowed on them by Islam. He said there is no legal or Islamic reason to bar them from participating in the polls. The Shoura Council had announced its decision on Monday regarding women's participation in the polls. The Council agreed “that the Ministry of Rural and Municipal Affairs should take necessary measures to include female voters in municipal elections, in accordance with Islamic Shariah”, it said .
