Kuwait Activists Reject MPs” Hijab Ruling
Activists reject MPs” hijab ruling
”Wearing of veil is not prerequisite for ministerial post”
KUWIAT: Political activists have expressed their great disappointment at the Parliament”s Legislative Committee”s decision which stated that the positions held by Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Nouriya AlـSubaih and Minister of State for Housing Affairs and Minister of State for Development Affairs Moudi AlـHomoud as female ministers were unconstitutional.
In a symposium entitled “Who protects personal freedom,” eminent activist Najla AlـNaqi said that the committee should have paid attention to more serious issues rather than focusing on marginal issues such as wearing the veil. She urged the committee to reconsider its decision.
Sheikha Dr. Maymouna AlـSabah made the Constitution a point of departure for her argument, stating that it did not distinguish between genders when it came to the qualification of a voter and never mentioned any preference of one over the other. She demanded for the appointment of more female ministers since it is the only way for them to reach the Parliament.
Historian Ghanima AlـFahaid outlined the role of Kuwaiti women and their contribution to society in different fields including defending the State from invaders. She reminded the audience of the brilliant work of both ministers and that they tirelessly endeavor to serve the community in every possible way.
Kuwait University lecturer Dr. Layla AlـSabaan regarded the decisions as regrettable at a time when women should be encouraged and commended for their work. She stressed that the Kuwaiti society believes in equal opportunities for all regardless of gender and that personal freedom should be respected as long as it doesn”t jeopardize the culture and traditions of the society.
Journalists Society consultant Dr. Ayed AlـManna discussed the legality of female ministers, highlighting that gender equality in a country like Kuwait is extremely important. He added that Kuwait is a liberal society in many ways, pointing out that the Constitution does not specifically say that women must wear veils as a perquisite to taking up their ministerial posts.
Meanwhile, political activist Najat AlـHashshash questioned the nature and background of the decision asking if this ruling applied to all female staff working in the Parliament or ministers only.
Last updated on Friday 24/10/2008
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They (the two ladies and their supporters ) got to stop playing dumb and grow up ,The salafis have a majority in the parliament , look at the result of the last committee elections , the Government needed the Salafis to get the committees the way it wanted
There was a precedent set before these two ladies entered the parliament .Ask the Ex Minster of health , the one that resigned because of the hospital fire , no one raised an issue on her dress code because she was dressed appropriately.
Now for last time , ladies ; “It is Hejab or your Job”
your call
wow, daggero. so they should put a piece of fabric on their heads instead of sticking up for their rights? interesting. and the ex-minister resigned because she was put in the WRONG place and could not handle the work because she knew nothing about how hospitals work.
regarding the actual post, good on them for not giving up. it’s people like that who are going to put the country back on the right track instead of succumbing to the wants of islamists who are FORCING their personal beliefs on people who are not doing ANYTHING against the country’s traditions, customs and religion. it’s people like them who give me hope!
wtf this is what happens when i leave kuwait!
kil.
Daggero – Doesn’t “islamic dress code” also address the length of a thobe? the style of sandals? the style/color of gutra? the absense of egal? Carrying a camel whip to hit people who are laughing out loud, or whose hijab has slipped, or . . . just because you can? If people roll over for mandatory hijab IN A GOVERNMENT FUNCTION, perhaps that comes next. If it did, I think Kuwait men would get the great “aha” and a very petty rule would be reversed.
I am not opposed to hijab. I am opposed to anyone making that choice for me – or any woman.
Dandoon, didn’t that Jahra fire happen just a month or two into her ministry? Like she had any control over Jafra, or like anyone has any control over things that happen in Jafra. I’ve read that sometimes the police refuse to go there!
Mrm – You are so right. Come back, come back!
Dandoon ;
Hejab is not a piece of cloth , if it was like what you say then why the Turkish government forces females to take it off before entering into Universities or Government building , Why would the enlightened government of France stop little girls who wear the Hejab from attending public schools ,so much for emancipation of women and freedom of choice by the civilized world . There was another post on the same subject on this blog here is a link (with permission of Intlxpatr)please refer to it to see what the people like that who will put the country back on track ( the minister of Education )has done
https://intlxpatr.wordpress.com/2008/10/20/all-female-ministers-must-cover-hair-or-female-ministers-are-unconstitutional-or/
Intlxpatr :
Islamic dress code for men , is to cover from their Navel level to lower than their knee and thats the minimum acceptable for performing Prayers . Thoob , Agal , sandals ,whips ..etc are social norms ,which means what is acceptable in one society socially may not be the same in another .
Now do you want to ask the ladies here what is the required dress code for them to perform their daily prayers or shall i do it ???
yeah well it’s supposed to be a personal thing .. and yeah they should focus on more important things..
daggero:
yes hijab IS a piece of cloth. what it ‘represents’ differs from person to person and from culture to culture. while ur comments are at times fun and refreshing, you may want to tone the obnoxiousness down just a tad.
What I like about Daggero is 1) He livens things up 2) He gives you something to think about 3) He is civil in his arguments.
We don’t have to like what he says. I know sometimes he doesn’t like what I say, but he manages to be polite, well, most of the time. 😛
Wooo HOoo ShoSho, jump right in. You know more about this than I do.
Wooo HOOO Mrm, do you have brothers? Brothers tease and argue like that, and then will be the first to defend you if anyone else attacks. His arguements help us prepare for the bigger fights ahead.
Go back to the other posts, and read his arguments there. Trust me, his input is helpful. You gotta know what you are up against.
Mrm ;
Ouch ,you hurt my feelings
Intlxpatr ;
Thanks , my feelings are now mended
intlx:
no beef intended at all, was just merely expressing a tip he could take into consideration. at times his comments are a hoot, other times derogatory.
daggero:
i hurted ur feelingsf? kil me with ur daggerf.
Daggero – LLOOOLLL
Mrm – LLLOOOLLLL and a big hug. Glad to see you!