Al-Jazirah Newspaper

Dr. Sulaiman Aba Al-Khail, a member of the Senior Board of Scholars and the President of Imam Muhammad Bin Saud Islamic University, said women should be appointed as college deans and members of university councils. This step will empower them, enhance their status and give them a chance to contribute to the development of universities, which is one of their rights. He also said that women are creative and meticulous.

Female professors should be treated as key partners, especially those who specialize in Islamic jurisprudence and the researching of Islamic jurisprudence and fatwas. Women know better than men when it comes to women’s issues. It is important to give women an opportunity to enter this sphere and play a major role in the development of our academic institutions.

There should be some balance between the number of male and female professors who teach Shariah-related subjects. Paving the way for women to work as Shariah professors in universities will definitely add a lot to universities, including improving the quality of teaching. Universities and schools are public places where both men and women can work and serve the community. These places are not just restricted to men.

I am aware that scholars differ on this issue and look at it from different perspectives. There is nothing wrong with having different views on a single issue. To have different opinions on an issue is human nature. But those who are against the appointment of women as deans and members of the university council should understand that such a step would bring about countless benefits to universities.

Unemployment among Saudi women has increased dramatically because of an absence of job opportunities. To solve this problem, we must first admit that female unemployment has been on the increase. More decisions to facilitate the employment of women in various fields should be made as this would help reduce unemployment among women in the long run.

Women should be provided with flexible and safe working environments in line with the Shariah. The number of female graduates has been rising on an annual basis. We should activate the role of women and give them a chance to contribute to national development.