GCC Secretary-General Abdullatif Al-Zayani yesterday commended Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for appointing 30 women on the Shoura Council.
“This is an important step that will enhance women’s position and role in Saudi society,” said the GCC chief.
“The move to allocate 20 percent of seats in the Shoura for women reflects the king’s wisdom and farsightedness,” Al-Zayani said.
He said Saudi Arabia has been embracing modernity and civilizational progress while strictly following the Shariah rules.
“The participation of women in the Shoura shows the remarkable progress achieved by Saudi women in recent years,” the GCC secretary-general said, adding that Saudi women are well aware of the country’s development issues and requirements.
“The appointment on the Shoura is a big achievement for Saudi women and will help them contribute more to society,” Al-Zayani said and congratulated the newly appointed Shoura members.
King Abdullah issued a royal decree on Friday naming 30 women members on the 150-member Shoura Council.
According to the decree, women will form 20 percent of Shoura Council members when its new term begins Tuesday.
Shoura Council spokesman Muhammed Al-Mohanna said the last session of the current membership will end tomorrow.
Although the new term begins Tuesday, the date of convening the new Shoura Council's maiden session will be determined later.
Incumbent President Abdullah Al-Asheikh has been reappointed and the new Shoura includes highly qualified people, specialized in different fields and hailing from various regions.
GCC chief: It’s an important step
