On February 10, 2005 Saudi Arabia will hold its first ever municipal elections. The anticipated election is part of a drive to introduce political reforms in Saudi Arabia. You probably haven't heard as much about the upcoming elections in Saudi Arabia as you did about elections in Iraq and Palestine. However, these elections are a big deal in a kingdom where democracy is not practiced at any level of society.

Even more promising than having elections, at one point the government of Saudi Arabia suggested that women may be allowed to vote and run for office. In fact, as of November 2004, at least three women indicated that they were interested in running for office.

Recently however, Saudi government officials have indicated that women may not be allowed to participate in the elections. The official reason given was that there wasn't time to work out the logistics and that they might not be able to work it out in time for the next elections scheduled for 2009. The Free Muslims Against Terrorism take issue with barring women from voting.

While we strongly support Saudi Arabia for attempting political reform and for being an important and strategic ally in the war on terrorism, we don't believe that women were barred for logistical reasons. Having women vote and run for office was unpopular among the Saudi religious establishment and unfortunately, the government of Saudi Arabia once again caved in to the fanatics within their society.

The following is an example of the resistance to having women vote. According to Adil Al Shidi, a professor of Islamic studies, "Islam does not permit women to hold a post that involves presiding over men." This statement is outrageous and should not stand. The entire Muslim world and the world at-large must reject the ignorant opinions of people like professor Al Shadi and come to the aid of Muslim Women by insisting that they be given equality.

Many Muslim organizations in America complain loudly when certain countries do not allow women to wear a head scarf but are noticeably silent when women are abused and discriminated against in Muslim countries. This hypocrisy must stop. Women are as capable as men and must be given the same opportunities.

The lack of equality and opportunity for women in the Muslim world actually contributes to dictatorships, extremism and the eventual use of terrorism. Societies that are strictly patriarchal, where women have little to no input in family decision making, indirectly teaches children to accept authoritarian forms of government. In essence every home is a mini dictatorship. This societal pattern encourages people to listen to the loudest voice, often the voice belongs to fascists and religious extremists. Part of the success that Muslim extremists rely on is the lack of direct and aggressive challenges to their medieval interpretation of Islam.

Unfortunately, one of the consequences of the rise of Political Islam and Islamist extremism is the curtailing of women's rights. Moderate Muslims must stand up and demand equality for women. Promoting a society where women are seen as independent thinking partners in a household rather than servants who merely take orders is essential to the development of democratic society and the defeat of religious extremism.

For more information, visit our website at www.freemuslims.org