Press Release
Your Political Work is a Right given to you by Islam and Not a Favor from Anyone!
(Translated)

Women suffer in Saudi Arabia, like the whole of society, as a result of the absence of the application of real Shariah Law. By the mixing between Shariah law and the heritage of customs and traditions which are far from the Deen, such as the perception of inferiority of women as if she is in a human rank lower than men, and so their opinion is not to be taken or even discussed with them.

They view women just as a number in the community that has no role or position. They also deny women their inheritance; and the divorced women do not receive their rights, including the right to custody; and women are prevented from getting married; and the high cost of dowries and some customs in marriage are what discourage young men from marriage or they cause problems such as domestic violence. These customs also include not giving women the right to consent to marriage, or the right to dispose of their property, and there are also those who prevent her from seeking education or work under the pretext that they cause a distraction (fitna) and by going out it will result in her being harassed.

Under these usurped and violated rights of women in Saudi Arabia, which is far from the Shar’, despite claiming to be a Muslim country, women these days are taking part in the municipal elections in an unprecedented move, thinking it is the cure and perfect solution that elevates them and gives them their rights! 900 candidates are participating in the municipal council elections amid anticipation of the women who will participate for the first time in the electoral process after they won their right to vote.

Should these elections they be made a huge ruckus of as if a tremendous victory has been won for the return of rights to the Saudi women?! Will the officials as a result be held accountable for the blood of a number of teachers that has been spilled on the roads because of negligence in transportation or roads, and that has passed without accountability and without providing a solution or even seeking to resolve that problem? Will the elected women stand with those destitute poor women, who knock on the doors of institutions and shops to provide for themselves and their children in the absence of a provider, while wondering where is their right for them and her their children to be cared for, and where is the provision of basic needs to them at least?! Will the elected women work to provide health care, protection, and sufficiency for all, which safeguards the people’s dignity and provides them with all their needs, and not just for a particular class? Will they provide shelter for the homeless who have lost their homes that collapsed from the rains due to poor infrastructure, or will their participation in these elections be a mere formality that add sparkle to the name of Al-Saud, after the voices of protest against them became louder because the stench of their corruption and pursuit to corrupt and their subordination became widespread, reeking everywhere!

The Muslim woman wherever she is does not need parliamentary or municipality seats. Instead she needs a system from the Creator that will rule over her by the Book of Allah (swt) and the Sunnah of His Messenger (saw), where she will live under the Islamic rule in esteem and dignity and be looked after and not exploited, and where her honour will be defended and protected and her dignity safeguarded. She shall attain her full and complete social, economic and political rights without compromise.

We in the Women's Section in the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir like to emphasize to the Muslims in general and women in particular that such deceptive methods to give women their rights should not deceive them, and that man made systems no matter how they try, will not improve women's welfare and will not preserve their dignity because they are human laws that are based on interest and benefit, whereas in the Shariah of Allah is justice, pride, dignity, and rights. The Islamic state, the second righteous Khilafah "Caliphate" on the method of the Prophethood, is what we seek and what we aspire to and work for, so that we experience its good governance, and generous provision and the sincerity of its ruler and his true concern for his Ummah for the return of its previous glory and status. So do not be satisfied or rejoice to receive crumbs, but strive to take your complete rights.

Islam has permitted you fourteen centuries ago, and still does, to hold administrative positions that do not relate to ruling, including becoming a member of the Majlis al-Ummah (Council of the Ummah) holding the rulers to account and following through with their affairs and not just a member of the municipality. So work for the establishment of this great structure to get all this good, Allah willing.

((يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ اسْتَجِيبُواْ لِلّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُم لِمَا يُحْيِيكُمْ وَاعْلَمُواْ أَنَّ اللّهَ يَحُولُ بَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَقَلْبِهِ وَأَنَّهُ إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ))

“O you who have believed, respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life. And know that Allah intervenes between a man and his heart and that to Him you will be gathered” [Al-Anfal: 24]

Women's Section
in the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir