MUSCAT, 10 June 2004 — Oman’s Sultan Qaboos created by royal decree yesterday a Ministry of Tourism and named a woman minister to head it, appointing the country’s second female Cabinet member in three months.
Rajiha bint Abdul Amir ibn Ali was given the new portfolio of tourism minister, according to the decree carried by the official ONA news agency.
On March 8, Sultan Qaboos named Rawya bint Saud Al-Bussaidi as the new higher education minister, making her Oman’s first woman minister with portfolio.
Women are members of the country’s Majlis Ash-Shura, or Consultative Council, which advises the government on economic and social issues but has no say in defense, internal security or foreign policy.
