Riyadh - e-Media

Women will join Shoura Council in the next session, and they will also be allowed to contest and vote in the next municipal elections, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah said while addressing Shoura Council on Sunday.

King Abdullah announced that women would be allowed membership in both the Saudi Shoura Council (the consultative assembly) and also to the municipal council in an address to the Shoura Council in Riyadh on Sunday.

"Because we refuse to marginalize women in our society in all roles that comply with Sharie'ah, we have decided, after deliberation with our senior clerics and others to engage women in the Shoura Council as members in line with the Sharie'ah regulations, starting from the next term," King Abdullah said.

"Secondly women have the right to run for municipal council membership. They also have the right to vote within Sharei'ah regulations. Bothers and sisters, it is our obligation toward you that  we do everything that guarantees your honor, dignity and interest. It is your obligation towards us  to provide us with advice and opinion within Sharie'ah regulations," he added.