We often criticize Saudi Arabia for its treatment of women and religious minorities under its extreme religious laws. Accordingly, we should also not hesitate to praise the country when it moves toward giving greater freedoms or embracing tolerance for minority groups. On Sunday, Saudi King Abdullah announced on Sunday he was giving women the right to vote and run in municipal elections.
I am sure this was done by the King simply to curry favor on our blog, so kudos Your Majesty.
While women still face huge barriers in the Kingdom, including the prohibition on their driving, this is a major step forward. Political rights often follow political power.
Let’s hope that that will be the case for women in the Saudi Kingdom.
