JEDDAH: Shoura member Dalal Al-Harbi recently walked out of a session in protest against what she called the council’s “dilly-dallying” on her recommendation.

About two months ago, Al-Harbi had proposed that the Friday sermons at the two holy mosques should discuss global and current issues concerning Islam and Muslims.

She was quoted by the local media as saying that psychological pressure were exerted on her to withdraw the proposal.

“Although enough time was given to the committee of the Islamic and judicial affairs, its head Faleh Al-Sagair said more time was needed to respond to the proposal because the recommendation needed more evidence,” she said.

Al-Harbi left the session in protest and told local media that she was surprised the way her recommendation was handled and the justification of the committee to stop the proposal because of “the sensitivity of the matter.”

“What sensitivity? And what are the criteria for such sensitivity? Does the recommendation require a mathematical equation to solve its symbols,” she asked.

“The membership in the council represents an entrusted task from the leadership of the country. It is the responsibility of each and every member of Shoura Council to assume this trust and task with full drive. The recommendation I submitted is within my lawful rights, as much as the lawful rights of any other member, but this right was denied to me,” she said.