Just when you start to think that things are finally starting to roll here and that a light of hope can be seen at the end of the long and dark tunnel, something happens to make you think again.
Some two weeks ago, 75 members of the Shoura Council voted in favor of the introduction of physical education in girls schools, where it has been banned for four decades. The cream of the cream of Saudi society, who include thinkers, academics, intellectuals and writers, have decided by a large majority that it was about time that we started introducing PE for girls in public schools.
Their reason was simple: allowing girls to practice sports in schools would help create better health and health awareness among girls. In addition, since girls cannot practice sports in public and because not everyone has enough money to enroll their daughters or wives in private sports clubs, PE in girls’ schools would provide a much-needed opportunity for them to exercise.
Many Saudi writers, including myself, rejoiced when they heard about the result of the vote. Not only would girls finally be given a chance to do something which was only reserved for boys in Saudi culture, but if backed by the government, it would help correct some antiquated social norms that still pervade our society at every turn.
Some Saudi dailies reported the voting on their back pages trying not to give the matter too much prominence given their conservative, or rather ultraconservative, audience. Other bolder dailies gave it more prominent coverage and went as far as to say that it would be implemented next year starting off with one period per week. All in all, the news was splashed all over the printed media, and the historic vote became the talk of town.
In the midst of all this, two unexpected things happened. First, the president of the Shoura Council, Sheikh Saleh Bin-Humaid, makes a statement to the press saying that what was printed in the Saudi press about it being implemented next year was false. And, moreover, that the Shoura Council did not actually vote for the implementation of PE in the first place. “They only voted for the matter to be discussed,” he said. The other unexpected announcement came from the minister of education, Dr. Muhammad Al-Rasheed, who told Arab News’ sister publication, Eqtisadiah, that only if the matter was approved by the religious establishment in the country would the ministry go ahead with it. “We want to have a decisive Shariah ruling to introduce PE in girls’ schools, he said. “If we find that physical education is good for the health of girl students and does not contain anything that violates Shariah...we’ll go ahead with the program.”
The two statements, coming from two top officials, were like a bolt of lightening that slices an old oak tree in half. Why would the president of the Shoura deny that the council voted for the implementation of the matter? Was it because he had to say such things to avoid being seen as the bad guy in the eyes of the religious establishment, whose members might find the idea unpalatable? And what about our minister of education? His statement could mean either of the following: either the 75 members of the Shoura, our country’s elite, did not realize that they had voted for a wrong move for our daughters, or that he too wanted to play it safe.
Two statements from hesitant officials have put the hopes of millions of Saudi girls on hold until further notice.
As one of the female participants who took part in the second national dialogue forum held in Makkah last week said, “Reforms in Saudi Arabia are at odds with the conservative nature of the people.” She also said the call to respect other members of the community would not be followed without a political decision. I could not agree with her more. Without a political decision PE will not be introduced, and we will continue as before. Nobody wants to be the hero and take the first step.
