Muslimah Writers Alliance Petition Exceeds 1,000 Signatures in Support of Guardianship Reform in Saudi Arabia

WASHINGTON, DC (PRWeb) March 19, 2007 -- On the heels of this past week's celebration of the 1,000th signature on the Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA) Say 'No' to Forced Divorce - 'Yes' to Reforms petition, the Saudi Gazette affirmed a report that the Ministry of Justice in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has organized a new committee to investigate the trend of forced divorces based on unequal tribal background.

"This is great news, not only for the couples who were forcibly divorced, but for all Saudi women," said Foziyah Al-Ouni, a Saudi woman who has been an active supporter of those enduring the hardships associated with cases of forced divorce.

"While I agree 100% that this news rekindles hope within the hearts of women of Saudi Arabia, let us be reminded that this announcement, and the anticipated corrective actions that could potentially be derived from the formation of the investigative committee, are a cause for celebration by Muslim women world-wide," stated MWA Director, Aishah Schwartz.

The petition's signatures represent unified Muslim voices from more than 40 different countries.

"Let the chorus ring loud and clear, when given a platform, the universal Muslim community will stand united in calling out that which is inherently wrong - to stand up for that which is right," Schwartz added.

The initial catalyst for the online petition drive was the forced divorce of Fatima and Mansour Al-Timani, however, it goes on to also address the root of the problem - the issues that created the fiasco to start with - guardianship, tribalism, and misinterpretation of the teachings of Islam.

Commenting on the case, Nimah Nawwab Saudi poet, activist and Young Global Leader stated, "The Al-Timani case brings to the forefront the problem of the evolving abuse of guardianship (wali al-amr); an abuse affecting the rights of women throughout the Kingdom in marriage, travel, education and work."

"Guardianship has been reduced to nothing more than a means of control, whereby even distant male relatives are unwittingly given authority to decide the fates of female family members with little or no regard at all for their best interests," Nawwab concluded.

Long after the case of Fatima and Mansour Al-Timani is settled, the online petition drive will continue to accrue signatures until the requested reforms pertaining to guardianship over women are addressed.

"The whole world is looking for humaneness. Anybody who works for faith, nation and moral values will never be a loser," stated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz at this year's National Festival for Heritage and Culture at Janadriya in Riyadh.

The couple's attorney, Abdul-Rahman Al-Lahem, was recently nominated by the UK's Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Awards committee for the 2007 Bindman's Law and Campaigns Award.

Established in 2006, MWA's mission is to inspire Muslim women to collaborate with one another for the common good of the Muslim Ummah, and to be of support to one another in fulfilling their aspirations to become established writers. Applying Islamic principles, boundless enthusiasm, experience, and resourcefulness to every project embraced, MWA members are dedicated to one another's success.


Muslimah Writers Alliance Forced Divorce Case Chronological Media Log
http://muslimahwritersalliance.com/mwa-community/al-timani_case_chronology.htm

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Forced Divorce Case, Muslimah Writers Alliance
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/2/prweb505146.htm

Forced Divorce Now a Forum Issue, by Sabri Jawhar, The Saudi Gazette
http://saudifemalejournalist.blogspot.com/2007/03/forced-divorce-now-forum-issue.html

Nimah Ismail Nawwab - www.theunfurling.com

Saudi Attorney in Al-Timani Forced Divorce Case Nominated to Receive Award
http://muslimahwritersalliance.com/articles/al-timani_attorney_nomination.htm

Say 'No' to Forced Divorce - 'Yes' to Reforms
Online Petition to King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz
http://www.petitiononline.com/no24orce/petition.html

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