Yemen Observer: http://www.yobserver.com
Posted in:
Local News
Written By: Nasser Arrabyee
Article Date: Jul 19, 2008 - 5:56:40 AM
The Yemeni Women’s Union (YWU) refused a religious decree, (fatwa), issued earlier this week and banning women’s public and political participation running in the elections under the quota system.
The Union, known as the Yemeni Women’s Union, an NGO supported by the Government, said that the fatwa issued by some religious scholars aimed to reduce the value and importance of the great role of women in building the society.
The fatwa circulated within a booklet entitled “The Letter of Yemen’s Clerics on Women’s Quota” in a conference held earlier this week by a group of religious scholars who were calling for combating vice and promoting virtue. The clerics forbade calls for a quota system in the elections, which aims to help women get to Parliament.
The clerics’ booklet says its haram (forbidden), for women to be members of Parliament or any other leading position. The clerics warned women from getting out from their homes.
In condemnation of the fatwa, the YWU used many verses of the Qur'an and the Hadith (the prophet's saying) to refute allegations of the fatwa and prove that women have all the right to participate in political life in equal terms as men do.
In a strongly worded statement, the YWU accused the authors of the fatwa of defaming women and offending their honor, dignity and decency.
"Those who persecute or draw into temptation, the believers men and women that do not turn in repentance, will have the penalty of hell," the statement said citing from Qur'an.
Everything in this booklet is contradicting with Islam, which gives women absolute equality with men, said the statement denying any superiority for men over women. Furhtermore, it cited from Qur'an: "Mankind we created you from a single (pair) of a male and female, and made you into nations and tribes that you may know each other, verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you and Allah has full knowledge and is well-acquainted.”
The instructions and doctrines of Islam do not differentiate between men and women, said the statement calling the clerics to be fair with women in explanations of the Qur’an and Hadiths which combat discrimination based on sex.
“The believers men and women are protectors one of another they enjoin what is just and forbid what is evil, they observe regular prayers, practice regular charity and obey Allah and his messenger on them will Allah pour his mercy for Allah is exalted in power,” read a statement cited from the Qur’an.
