Saudi Women Sit in Shura Council for 1st Time

(Riyadh) – Thirty Saudi women took seats in Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council, for the first time in kingdom’s history, as they were sworn in before King Abdullah at his palace in Riyadh. The women were sworn in along with 130 male colleagues collectively.
“The development we are working at must be gradual,” King Abdullah said in a brief statement. He recommended that the council show “realism” in its discussions and allow “reason to prevail in issues it has to deal” with. On January 11, the king appointed the women, which include university graduates, human rights activists and two princesses, to the body also known as the Saudi Consultative Council.