Criminal law, International, Politics, Religion, Society

Saudi Kingdom Outlaws Abuse Of Women

150px-muslim_woman_in_yemenWe have had a long litany of stories where we have criticized the Saudi Sharia system and the Kingdom’s treatment of religious minorities and women. So, when the Kingdom does something progressive, it is equally important to note it. This week, the Saudi cabinet passed a ban on domestic violence and other forms of abuse against women. That may seem a bit long in coming — by a few hundred years — but it is a major breakthrough for women given the Islamic clerics who still insist that beating your wife is ordained by God, as expressed in the Koran.

The Saudi government has been trying to liberalize aspects of Saudi politics and law but such moves often trigger opposition among the powerful Wahhabi clerics in the Kingdom.

This legislation, for the first time in the history of the Kingdom, makes domestic violence a punishable crime and provides treatment and shelter for victims of abuse. The penalties include a maximum of 12 months in jail and fines of up to $13,000. Moreover, both civilian and military employees are now required to report evidence of abuse.

It is a proud moment for the Kingdom, though much remains to be done for women and minorities.

22 thoughts on “Saudi Kingdom Outlaws Abuse Of Women”

  1. rippleton 1, August 30, 2013 at 2:36 pm

    0john0charles0heiser0, the Koran says, in chapter four titled WOMEN, “Men have authority over women because Allah has made the one superior to the other, and because they spend their wealth to maintain them. Good women are obedient. They guard their unseen parts because Allah has guarded them. As for those from whom you FEAR disobedience, admonish them and send them to beds set apart and BEAT them.”
    =====================================
    As with the Bible, there are very many translations of every verse of the Koran.

    Here are some other translations of An-Nisa 34 (a.k.a. 4:34) which are at odds with your version:

    Men are guardians over women because Allah has made some of them excel others, and because they (men) spend of their wealth. So virtuous women are those who are obedient, and guard the secrets of their husbands with Allah’s protection. And as for those on whose part you fear disobedience, admonish them and leave them alone in their beds, and chastise them. Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Surely, Allah is High, Great.
    —
    Men are guardians of women, because Allah has made one superior to the other, and (also) because men spend their wealth (on them). So the pious wives are obedient. They guard (their chastity) in the absence of their husbands with the protection of Allah. But those women whom you fear will disobey and defy, admonish them; and (if they do not amend) separate them (from yourselves) in beds; and (if they still do not improve) turn away from them, striking a temporary parting. Then if they become cooperative with you, do not seek any way against them. Surely, Allah is Most High, Most Great.

    Here are some related Bible verses concerning women:

    “And the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire.” (Leviticus 21:9)
    …
    “When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draweth near for to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him, and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets: then thou shalt cut off her hand, thine eye shall not pity her.” (Deuteronomy 25:11-12)
    …
    “Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean.” (Leviticus 12:2)

    “But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying threescore and six days.” (Leviticus 12:5)
    …
    “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” (I Corinthians 11:3)

    “For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.” (I Corinthians 11:8-9)
    …
    “Let the women learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.” (I Timothy 2:11-14)

    There are many others, but you get my drift.

    Do you have other translations to offer for those bible verses?

    Feel free.

    Let’s do hermeneutics shall we?

  2. It is time for the Saudi Kingdom to join the human race and stop abusing dogs. They can start by cease eating them and selling them alive, hanging by their feet in the open air markets.

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