A Blog by the Editor of The Middle East Journal

Putting Middle Eastern Events in Cultural and Historical Context

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Mixed Signals to Say the Least

Saudi Arabia got pretty good press — for the Kingdom anyway — from King ‘Abdullah's announcement that women would be allowed to vote (for the only thing any Saudi can vote for, municipal councils), and be appointed to the Majlis al-Shura, so from a PR point of view the fact that two days later a woman is sentenced to ten lashes for driving a car, is certainly counterproductive. The King does not ask me for advice (well, not yet, anyway) and I doubt if he reads this blog, but this would be a real good time for a Royal Pardon, your majesty.

1 comment:

Majlis Al Shura Elections in Oman said...

Oman is just about to have new Majlis Al Shura elections - lots of women candidates and lots of calls for change. It will be very interesting to see what happens and then the following 12 months or so.