In an historic announcement made during the opening of the fifth session of the Shoura Council, Sunday, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah declared that Saudi women will be allowed to vote and participate in municipal elections. The decision is a significant turning point in the country's history as it defines the role of Saudi women in the future. In his address, King Abdullah said that apart from women having the right to stand for election and vote in municipal polls, they would also be appointed as full members of the Shoura Council. These decisions come as part of the Kingdom's balanced modernization policy which conforms to genuine Islamic values as well as the nature of the conservative Saudi society which applies the letter and spirit of Islamic teachings in all its affairs. The granting of the right to vote and to participate in municipal elections and the Shoura Council is surely a recognition of the great achievements made by Saudi women in the scientific, cultural and educational fields. There has been a quantum leap in these fields under the leadership of King Abdullah, who has always been an advocate of reform, and it is needless to say that this has given Saudi women the motivation, strength and ability to play an important role in the country's progress and development. The King's announcement confirms that the modernization project in the Kingdom is a non-stop process because of the determination of the nation's leaders that building the country depends upon the use of Saudi national resources whether they are women or men. It is beyond doubt that the entry of Saudi women to the Shoura Council and regional municipal councils will strengthen the role of government institutions. The country would not have realized all of these remarkable achievements without the farsighted vision of its leadership which supports the role of women in the development process. __
