Saudi Arabia King Abdullah sacks anti-Women's reforms Mufti

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Finally, good news came from Saudi Arabia as King Abdullah sacked one of his advisors for speaking against reforms especially meant for women. The country is considered to be one of the most conservative Muslim countries across the globe. Females of the country have got no rights and they are suppressed by their male family members. However, women of Saudi Arabia have been struggling for the past quite some time to obtain their basic human rights and appear having succeeded in their struggle up to some extent. Still, there is much more to be sought from the king and so the struggle is on.

King Abdullah dismissed Sheikh Abdul-Mohsen al-Obeikan, one of his advisors, for publically criticizing reforms aiming at easing restrictions on women of the country. The king deemed the remarks against the policy of the state and sacked the official immediately. However, no further details were provided on what the kingdom was exactly planning regarding reforms in political and social circles.

Speaking to a local radio station, Sheikh Abdul-Mohsen said the officials were trying to legalize the social taboos by westernizing the country’s laws. He also alleged that the officials were secularizing laws of the country on behest of the western countries.

Sheikh Abdul-Mohsen also said that some people were trying to corrupt the whole society by easing restrictions on women. He is of the view that the kingdom should retain laws and regulations binding women to stay inside the boundary walls. For the last couple of years, an internal rift and tension has been going on in Saudi Arabia over reforms in political and social circles. Hundreds of Saudi women inspired by successful revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya started a movement demanding freedom and basic civil and human rights.

After months of foot-dragging, the king finally allowed women the right to vote and run in 2015 municipal elections. It is pertinent to mention here that elections will be held first time in history of the kingdom in 2015. The king took the step to appease women and youth of the country after smelling an uprising against his rule. He has also announced billions of dollars of welfare projects for people just to calm them down and has remained successful to avert any major demonstrations.

One long-standing demand of women of Saudi Arabia has still not been approved and that is permission to drive cars. Religious clerics of the country deem the practice against teachings of Islam and were also offended by King’s announcement to grant women right to vote and run for municipal elections in 2015. However, King Abdullah appears to have made up his mind to allow more concessions to women of the country as they comprise around 50 percent of the population.

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