http://www.arabnews.com/?page=13§ion=0&article=77979&d=18&m=2&y=2006
Saturday, 18, February, 2006 (19, Muharram, 1427)
Shoura Council's Mandate and Women Driving
Qenan Al-Ghamdi . Al-Watan, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
The Shoura Council has decided not to tackle the issue of
women driving in Saudi Arabia. They have refused to consider the recommendation
presented by member Muhammad Al-Zulfa which reflected his opinion about women
driving. The council, undoubtedly, has every right to refuse and oppose this
issue. I'm not trying to find excuses for the Shoura's refusal to discuss the
issue. The truth is that allowing women to drive in Saudi Arabia is not an
issue that should be discussed by the Shoura Council in the first place.
There is no explicit rule in the traffic law that refers the
issue to the Shoura Council. The council is committed to discuss anything that
is referred to it. The council members must give their opinions on any issue
because they are supposed to function as consultants but not judges. Their
opinions must be based on the presented material and not go beyond it. They
should give opinions, which are open to negotiation.
On the other hand, there is already a fatwa in existence that
forbids women driving in the Kingdom. The Shoura Council has no right to
discuss this fatwa or negotiate its contents.
Let us, in the meantime, look at another issue - the use of
mobile phones with cameras. There was a fatwa that forbade selling or using
mobile phones with cameras but certain government sectors realized that it was
impossible to find mobile phones without cameras. In that case, they decided to
allow use of mobiles with cameras but not to involve the Shoura Council in the
decision-making.
As long as the Shoura Council knows its limitations and
contributions to any case, they shouldn't oppose or approve any subject unless
asked to do so. I think there is an obvious distinction between approving and
opposing the issue of women driving, and refusing completely to look into the
matter. And again, I would like to clarify that I'm not trying to defend the
Shoura Council because it has its own systems and it must be committed to them.
I advise the Shoura Council to apply their rules and regulations strictly.
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