Najma Heptulla, former elected president of the Inter-Parliamentary Council, met with President of the Shoura Council, Sheikh Saleh Ibn Humaid, during her short visit to the Kingdom. “We had a pleasant visit,” Heptulla told Saudi Gazette. With Heptulla presiding over the Conference of Women Parliamentarians of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in New Delhi in 1992 and becoming the first woman elected Vice President of the Executive Committee of that body in 1987, Heptulla discussed Saudi women's participation in the Shoura Council during her meeting with Bin Humaid. “Women are already playing an important role in the Council with 6 advisors,” said Huptulla. “I met them many times, and I hope that their role will be expanded. Huptulla said Sheikh Humaid was sincere about women's participation. “King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has been leading the reform process and has been encouraging women's participation in the development of the Kingdom's society and economy which is good for us all,” said Heptulla who has Saudi ancestry line herself. Heptulla is not a stranger to the Kingdom with 35 years of official visits and representing many Indian prime ministers. Heptulla has become Saudi Arabia's best friend in India and she has played a vital role in Shoura Council becoming a member of the IPC. Last year an Indian parliamentary delegation paid a visit to the Shoura Council and extended an invitation to the Saudi Shoura to visit India. “I encouraged Sheikh Humaid to do so in November or December when weather is pleasant,” said Heptulla. Muslims have great love for Saudi Arabia as they face the Holy Ka'bah fives times a day when offering prayers, Heptullah said. The Kingdom and India have always had very good relations, culturally, economically and politically, she added. __
