Muslimah Writers Alliance Petition Exceeds 1,000 Signatures in Support of Guardianship Reform in Saudi Arabia
WASHINGTON, DC (PRWeb) March 19, 2007 -- On the heels of this past week's celebration of the 1,000th signature on the Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA) Say 'No' to Forced Divorce - 'Yes' to Reforms petition, the Saudi Gazette affirmed a report that the Ministry of Justice in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has organized a new committee to investigate the trend of forced divorces based on unequal tribal background.
"This is great news, not only for the couples who were forcibly divorced, but for all Saudi women," said Foziyah Al-Ouni, a Saudi woman who has been an active supporter of those enduring the hardships associated with cases of forced divorce.
"While I agree 100% that this news rekindles hope within the hearts of women of Saudi Arabia, let us be reminded that this announcement, and the anticipated corrective actions that could potentially be derived from the formation of the investigative committee, are a cause for celebration by Muslim women world-wide," stated MWA Director, Aishah Schwartz.
The petition's signatures represent unified Muslim voices from more than 40 different countries.
"Let the chorus ring loud and clear, when given a platform, the universal Muslim community will stand united in calling out that which is inherently wrong - to stand up for that which is right," Schwartz added.
The initial catalyst for the online petition drive was the forced divorce of Fatima and Mansour Al-Timani, however, it goes on to also address the root of the problem - the issues that created the fiasco to start with - guardianship, tribalism, and misinterpretation of the teachings of Islam.
Commenting on the case, Nimah Nawwab Saudi poet, activist and Young Global Leader stated, "The Al-Timani case brings to the forefront the problem of the evolving abuse of guardianship (wali al-amr); an abuse affecting the rights of women throughout the Kingdom in marriage, travel, education and work."
"Guardianship has been reduced to nothing more than a means of control, whereby even distant male relatives are unwittingly given authority to decide the fates of female family members with little or no regard at all for their best interests," Nawwab concluded.
Long after the case of Fatima and Mansour Al-Timani is settled, the online petition drive will continue to accrue signatures until the requested reforms pertaining to guardianship over women are addressed.
"The whole world is looking for humaneness. Anybody who works for faith, nation and moral values will never be a loser," stated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz at this year's National Festival for Heritage and Culture at Janadriya in Riyadh.
The couple's attorney, Abdul-Rahman Al-Lahem, was recently nominated by the UK's Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Awards committee for the 2007 Bindman's Law and Campaigns Award.
Established in 2006, MWA's mission is to inspire Muslim women to collaborate with one another for the common good of the Muslim Ummah, and to be of support to one another in fulfilling their aspirations to become established writers. Applying Islamic principles, boundless enthusiasm, experience, and resourcefulness to every project embraced, MWA members are dedicated to one another's success.
Muslimah Writers Alliance Forced Divorce Case Chronological Media Log
http://muslimahwritersalliance.com/mwa-community/al-timani_case_chronology.htm
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Forced Divorce Case, Muslimah Writers Alliance
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/2/prweb505146.htm
Forced Divorce Now a Forum Issue, by Sabri Jawhar, The Saudi Gazette
http://saudifemalejournalist.blogspot.com/2007/03/forced-divorce-now-forum-issue.html
Nimah Ismail Nawwab - www.theunfurling.com
Saudi Attorney in Al-Timani Forced Divorce Case Nominated to Receive Award
http://muslimahwritersalliance.com/articles/al-timani_attorney_nomination.htm
Say 'No' to Forced Divorce - 'Yes' to Reforms
Online Petition to King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz
http://www.petitiononline.com/no24orce/petition.html
###
This press release has been reprinted from PRWEB per the terms and conditions of the copyright notice.
|
|
 |
 |
Looking for a Web Design Company? Use a Web Design Directory
Your business website tells a lot about your company. A poorly designed website will have your visitors questioning the quality of your business.
What to Look for in a Home Based Business Opportunity
When you were younger, did you ever dream about having your own home business? Were you sidetracked somewhere along the way and now find yourself caught in the 40-40-40 rut?40-40-40 Plan (Rut)40 minutes going to and from work
40 hours of work per week
40 years of life spent working slaving away for someone else?When things get unfairly tough at work, do you still dream about your own home business – what you would do, how you would run your own home business, how you would treat your employees, what kind of money you would make, what product you would sell? Then when you decide to make a change in your life, do you look for another 40-40-40 job, putting your dream of your own home business on the back burner again for more of the same?Do ...
Is Your Home Business Really On Ebay - Time Your Ebay Listings For Peak Profits
When it comes to selling goods on ebay, it comes down to what you have and how you present it These are two vital characteristics of successful auctions
Jim Blasingame Celebrates Eleven Years as The Small Business Advocate®
Small Business Network, Inc. Launches New Website on Anniversary
The right web design look and feel - Does it matter?
This might seem like an obvious statement. Of course the look and feel of my web site matters but how much does it actually matter and what can I do to improve my web design interface? Many companies are constantly tweaking their web site with a view to capturing the attention of potential customers. Although not all web sites are commercial in nature, the majority of web site owners are targeting potential customers with the ultimate aim of securing online leads and sales. Having a pretty web design is nice but it is no guarantee to converting visits into leads and sales. On what basis then should web designers set the look and feel of a web site and how are they monitoring the results of the web design look and feel on visitor's behaviour ...
New Service Answers Questions for Small Business Owners
Small Business Guru announces the launch of its new service, "Ask A Guru." Small Business Owners will be able call a free help-line to get coaching, inspiration and practical advice for managing their business.
Small Business Server Business Tips
Top 3 Ways to Maximize Your Small Business Server Consulting ProfitsOver the past 7 years, Microsoft Small Business Server (SBS) has gained traction as a widely-respected Small Business Server networking suite.As a result, many small business computer consultants, systems integrators, and value-added resellers have jumped on-board the Microsoft Small Business Server bandwagon.
Small Business Resource Announces New £4 million Small Business Government Grant
Small Business Resource, providing small business ideas, small business financing and small business marketing for entrepreneurs is taking grant applications from small to mid size UK businesses from 2nd January 2007.
The Importance of Professional Web Design
Professional web design is important to your companies image. It will help your business grow, helping you to reach many other businesses and customers that may not know that you currently service their needs. Professional web design is important for any company that wants to keep ahead of their competition.
Home Business Bloggers - Get Wired For Traffic With Video Blogging
Home business video blogs are treated as a powerful social and business phenomena these days Mainstream entertainment is wired with a new online video based technology - video blogging
|
 |
|