The segregation rule imposed on the two women elected to the Jeddah Municipal Council was the topic of discussion during a Baladi campaign event that attracted a large group of academics, career women, opinion leaders and media personalities. Supporters of Dr. Lama Al-Sulaiman and Rasha Al-Hifzi criticized the male members of the Municipal Council who have refused to meet with their female colleagues to discuss Municipal decisions and matters of concern claiming that sitting at the same table with women is against Shariah law. These men apply their extremist ideology to marginalize the role of these women and obstruct their equal participation in the decision making process. The two capable women explained their role in the Municipal Council and how their presence at the same table provides them the opportunity to discuss and share the responsibilities, duties, obligations, tasks, etc. They asserted that work in the Municipal Council includes a lot of communication measures with stakeholders, citizens and officials. "If we are not sitting at the same table in the general monthly meeting, then we will not be able to sit in the workshops, committee meetings or meetings with the public, and that will greatly marginalize our role." The women in the audience felt equally frustrated and angry about the treatment of their elected members and all agreed to sign a petition rejecting the insult to the honor and stature of the two women who are decent members of society. The idea that their presence is a sin is unacceptable and can no longer be tolerated by any respectable women in our country today. Meanwhile, Jamil Farsi, prominent columnist and opinion leader, created a hashtag on Twitter calling for the support of our sisters for their right to an equal seat at the meeting table and urged followers to activate the hashtag. The hashtag went viral with demands for the resignation of those Council members who are against the presence of women at the meeting table. Supporters were also critical of this negative attitude toward women which does not represent the people of Jeddah who do not prescribe to the extremist ideology that discriminates against women. The official rule stipulating that our society is governed "according to Shariah law" is very vague and allows many to deliberately misinterpret the law to discourage the participation of women. The question is: Does Shariah law specifically ban the mixing of genders? According to moderates, it does not. The widely accepted interpretation in all Muslim communities around the world and according to moderate scholars of Shariah is that the mixing of genders does not go against Shariah law. The mixing is only banned if a woman is not in her hijab or not dressed modestly and if a man and a woman are alone in one room. Therefore, this does not apply to women who are in their abayas and are in a meeting with men to debate official matters of concern. Women mix with men every day on the road, in shopping malls, in hospitals, airplanes and everywhere on the planet because both genders are inhabitants of this earth. Women have had enough of this extremist nonsense. Prior to the Municipal Council elections, women were equally insulted over circulated news about prison sentences and fines for any woman who was found in the company of men during the election campaign. Women candidates were forced to present their programs through a male representative who would speak on their behalf. For how long are we going to put up with this absurdity?! The social and ideological conflict between the progressives and the extremists who advocate the discrimination against women has got to end. The negative attitude toward women is a source of frustration to many citizens in our society and an embarrassment for Saudi Arabia in the international community. The presence of women among men should not be labelled "a sin". In fact woman should be welcomed and shown more respect just as the Prophet (peace be upon him) did fourteen hundred years ago. It is really so sad to see the preaching of our Holy Prophet (pbuh) being twisted and abused. A passive civil society, rigid religious scholars and an ineffective media have failed the women of this country and have allowed hardliners to spread a rigid interpretation of Shariah law that questions the morality and decency of women. Enacting a strong fatwa to end the segregation ban is long overdue. It is time we marginalized the extremists among us and adopted a more moderate lifestyle that accepts the presence of women in public, in government and in all walks of life. King Salman continues to support the empowerment of women. Nineteen women were officially elected as equal members in the Municipal Councils. There is no room for anti-women extremists who undermine government policies and block the path of progress. Samar Fatany is a radio broadcaster and writer. She can be reached at [email protected]
