Kuwait: Islamists parliamentarians threaten to spoil giving the women her political rights

Several Islamic Sunni groups and parliamentarians threatened in Kuwait yesterday to work for foiling the draft bill approved by the Kuwaiti government on Sunday provides for providing the woman her right to voting and nomination for the legislative elections.

This draft bill is expected to be transferred to the Kuwaiti parliament for approval. The alliance of the Islamic parliamentarians and the representatives of tribes had foiled a similar decree issued by the ruler of Kuwait Sheikh Jabber Al-Ahmad al-Sabah in May 1999.

The Islamic parliamentarian Deif Allah Bourmeyah said " this project will be rejected from the parliament as happened before. The woman has no political right in Islam. She has taken her right as a woman and a household for bringing up the future generations."

The officials spokesman for the Islamic constitutional movement ( Muslim brothers ) Muhammad al-Aleem said that " the previous position of the movement is opposed to giving the woman full political rights and the movement's office will meet to discuss this issue but the predominant view is to oppose this issue."

The Sunni majority embarks in its rejection of the political rights of the woman on Fatwa that forbids the woman assuming of a political post linked to what is called in the jurisprudence as " al-Welaya al-Ammah " ( general authority), despite the fact that several countries and Islamic groups permitted that.

On the other hand, the Kuwaiti Shiite fully support the political rights of women. The chairman of the Shiite scholars gathering in Kuwait Muhammad Baqer al-Mahri said " we commend the decision of the Cabinet, It is a qualitative step for Kuwait towards progress and coping with civilization. We consider that it is the right of the woman to join the nation's council." He added " all the Shiite parliamentarians ( five ) in the parliament support the project.

The Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah issued in may 1999 a decree that provides for woman the right to nomination and to elect, approved by the government. But the parliament which is overwhelmed by Islamic parliamentarians and representatives of tribes refused in November of the same year this decree.