Riyadh: Agencies
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz issued a historic royal order to involve Saudi women in parliamentary life. King Abdullah selected 30 Saudi women as members of the Shura Council for the next four years, representing 20 percent of the 150 members, an unprecedented measure in the history of the council.
Under the king's order, Saudi women enjoy full rights to membership in the new Shura Council, which begins its session with the expiration of the fifth session next Tuesday.

Two royal decrees were issued to amend two articles in the council's statute after the approval of women's representation in the council.
Royal text
The text of the first royal order regarding the participation of women and the amendment of two articles of the Council's system is as follows:
«We, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, after reviewing the Basic Law of Governance, issued by Royal Decree No. A-90 dated 27-8-1412 AH. Having reviewed the Regulations of the Consultative Council issued by Royal Decree No. A-91 dated 27-8-1412H. Having reviewed the Internal Regulations of the Shura Council, issued by Royal Decree No. A-15 dated 3-3-1414 A.H.
After reviewing the relevant Royal Orders. Based on our consultation with a large number of our distinguished scholars, whether from the Council of Senior Scholars or outside it, who have legitimately authorized the participation of women as members of the Shura Council, guided by the provisions of Islamic Sharia, from which we do not deviate one iota, and on which - thank God - the entity of this nation was founded by its unifying King Abdulaziz, may God have mercy on him. Based on what is required by the public interest. We order the following: First: Article (III) of the Shura Council Law promulgated by Royal Decree No. A-91 dated 27-8-1412H, as amended by Royal Decree No. A-26 dated 2-3-1426H, shall be amended to read as follows:
(Article Three): The Shura Council consists of a president and one hundred and fifty members, chosen by the King from people of knowledge, experience and specialization, provided that the representation of women in it is not less than (20%) of the number of members, and the rights of members, their duties, and all their affairs are determined by royal decree.
Second: Article (twenty-two) of the Internal Regulations of the Shura Council issued by Royal Decree No. A-15 dated 3-3-1414 AH shall be amended to read as follows:
(Article Twenty-Two): Each of the specialized committees shall consist of a number of members determined by the Council, but not less than five, and the Council chooses these members, and names among them the committee chairman and his deputy, taking into account the need of the committees, the specialization of the member, and the participation of women in the committees.
The Council may form special committees from among its members to study a specific topic, and each committee may form one or more subcommittees from among its members to study a specific topic. Third: Women in their membership of the Shura Council enjoy the full rights of membership and are committed to duties, responsibilities, and tasks.
Fourth: In confirmation of what is stated in the preamble of our order, women members shall abide by the controls of Islamic law, without any breach whatsoever, and shall adhere to the Islamic veil, taking into account, in particular, the following: 1- Allocate a place for women to sit, as well as a special gate for them to enter and exit the main hall of the Council, and everything related to their affairs, ensuring independence from men.
2- To allocate places for women, ensuring complete independence from the places allocated to men, so that they include offices dedicated to them, and those working with them, including the necessary equipment and services, and the place designated for prayer.
V: Our order shall be communicated to the competent authorities for approval and implementation.

Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Women and membership controls
The royal decree emphasized that women members must adhere to regulations, which were defined as a place for them to sit, a special gate for them to enter and exit the main council hall, and places to ensure their independence.

The names of the council members were chosen from all regions of Saudi Arabia, and seven of them held the rank of »Excellency«, including the vice president of the council and his assistant, in addition to the majority of the members holding a doctorate in various disciplines: Princess Sarah bint Faisal bin Abdulaziz and Princess Mudhi bint Khalid bin Abdulaziz. The list of members of the new council also includes Saudi women who have distinguished themselves in the field of medicine and won international awards, and others who specialized in education, economics, media and literature.
In addition to the new female members, 60 new male members who are entering the Shura for the first time have been named.