Free Republic

JEDDAH (SG) SAUDI authorities are investigating about 500 cases of family violence. They are also planning to construct a hostel for women exposed to family violence. Disclosing this Dr. Suhaila Zain Al-Abdeen, Head of the Consultation and Studies Committee and member of the Family and Child Committee at the Human Rights Association, told Al-Watan Arabic language daily newspaper that almost 50% of these cases were filed in Makkah Region. This shows that family violence is more common in the region compared to other parts of the Kingdom. She called for a review of the existing laws which give absolute rights...

SALT LAKE CITY - It may at present be only a whisper. But it could get louder and louder. It is the voice of Islamic women in the Middle East protesting their longtime political and economic second-class status. It is a voice of indignation from women who have long been suppressed in traditionally male- dominated societies. In recent days it has been heard in Egypt where women were fighting back against harassment from supporters of the ruling party. It has been heard in Iran where women, despite the election of a hard-line conservative president, demonstrated against sex discrimination under that...