Saudi clerics demand removing women from TV
In Saudi Arabia, a group of 35 conservative religious figures, which include several professors from the ultra-conservative Imam University, Islamic research scholars, a judge in a court in the resort of Taif and some government employees, sent to the Ministry of Information and Culture a letter requesting to prohibit the appearance on television of women as journalists, as well as the interviewees. In addition, in the view of fundamentalists, the ban should also extend to the publication of photographs of women in newspapers and magazines, reports Fox News
«No Saudi women should appear on TV, no matter what the reason," the statement said. “No images of women should appear in Saudi newspapers and magazines," - says the letter addressed to newly appointed Minister. The message also demands to ban the broadcast of music and music programs.
Supporters of traditional Islam feel particular resentment of reforms undertook by the leadership of the former Ministry. Those reforms allowed women not only to work on the television as journalists and appear on the screen with their faces uncovered, but also to interview men. The authors of the letter stated that the new leadership should halt this practice, which, from their point of view, contradicts the basics of Islam.
The publication notes that, despite the increasing pressure on the ministry, such treatment is unlikely to lead to a tightening of ministry’s policy. Recent King’s Abdullah appointment of Saudi Arabia's new Minister of Information and Culture was accompanied by the removal the most notorious conservatives and fundamentalism supporters from the office.
The official religion in the kingdom is Islam, Sharia law is used as the Criminal Code. The country legalized discrimination based on sex, women are prohibited from participating in elections, and even drive a car. Newspapers publish pictures of Saudi women, but almost always with their heads covered, while pictures of Western entertainers are shown but bare arms and cleavage are painted over. This might be rather strange to foreigners, but this prohibition applies not only to local women, but also to foreign tourists.
«No Saudi women should appear on TV, no matter what the reason," the statement said. “No images of women should appear in Saudi newspapers and magazines," - says the letter addressed to newly appointed Minister. The message also demands to ban the broadcast of music and music programs.
Supporters of traditional Islam feel particular resentment of reforms undertook by the leadership of the former Ministry. Those reforms allowed women not only to work on the television as journalists and appear on the screen with their faces uncovered, but also to interview men. The authors of the letter stated that the new leadership should halt this practice, which, from their point of view, contradicts the basics of Islam.
The publication notes that, despite the increasing pressure on the ministry, such treatment is unlikely to lead to a tightening of ministry’s policy. Recent King’s Abdullah appointment of Saudi Arabia's new Minister of Information and Culture was accompanied by the removal the most notorious conservatives and fundamentalism supporters from the office.
The official religion in the kingdom is Islam, Sharia law is used as the Criminal Code. The country legalized discrimination based on sex, women are prohibited from participating in elections, and even drive a car. Newspapers publish pictures of Saudi women, but almost always with their heads covered, while pictures of Western entertainers are shown but bare arms and cleavage are painted over. This might be rather strange to foreigners, but this prohibition applies not only to local women, but also to foreign tourists.
Views: 0
Add a Comment
© 2012 Created by Arne Grauls.
You need to be a member of Journalism Network to add comments!
Join Journalism Network