Shaima Ghassaniya and King Abdullah

Love and Peace Symbol (Arabic)

I am writing about this topic with the utmost respect for Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Arab countries.   I admire them and their culture tremendously.  It has been more difficult to admire their past policies towards women or to admire the people that have taken their religious beliefs to an extreme where love and compassion are not present.  It is fair to say that all religions have suffered from extremism, but I don't want to digress as this post is about women.

It is extremely encouraging to see that King Abdullah pardoned Shaima Jastania (also spelled Ghassaniya) who was sentenced to 10 lashes earlier this week because she was caught driving.  After all, it's just a matter of time before women are allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia.  Saudi Arabia is known for its conservative stance towards women, I believe they are not allowed to be in public unless they are with a male family member, either a husband or a relative.  However, there are forward-looking Arab leaders in the royal family who have advanced women's rights in Saudi Arabia such as Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal (founder and CEO of the very successful Kingdom Holding Company) who attended United States universities.  Even though he is the head of his Foundation, there are women - including his wife - with key positions in running the Foundation.  The work of the Foundation is truly admirable and hope to work with them one day - as I intend to create a company focused on women one day.

Change will take place slowly because for many centuries there has been widespread belief that women do not have the same rights as men.  I commend King Abdullah for not only pardoning Shaima Jastania but also for his decree issued a few days ago that women have the right to vote and to run for local political seats. There are many very intelligent and admirable women in Saudi Arabia and in other Arab countries that are able to contribute significantly to the betterment of society.

Change.  Wonderful to see it coming to Saudi Arabia in such a positive way for women!