The Grand Mufti’s Restraining Order on New Fatwas
The office of the Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheik confirmed on Thursday that cleric Youssef Al-Ahmed has been ordered to refrain from issuing new fatwas without authorization from the Grand Mufti’s office. The move comes after Youssef Al-Ahmed had issued a fatwa to discourage people to shop at Panda – a supermarket chain in the Kingdom which employs women as cashiers. Youssef Al-Ahmed claimed that this employment practice allows for the commingling of the sexes. Media reports say that the supermarket chain was forced to reassign 11 women employees as a result of the fatwa.
Facebook Campaign To Support Panda
Meanwhile, a campaign on social networking website Facebook has been started to support the Panda supermarket chain. The statement of the support group on Facebook read, “This campaign was set up to support the efforts of Panda in reducing unemployment in Saudi society. Whether the worker is a man or a woman, both have the right to work and earn a living. It’s better for women to work rather than begging or receiving funds from charities. And in the case of gender mixing, we do not think it is contrary to Islam if it occurs within the framework of chastity and modesty.”
Muhammad Al-Zulfah, a former member of the Shoura Council, is also lending support to the cause. Muhammad Al-Zulfah said, “Islam has never prevented women from education and work. Those who oppose the work of women should re-educate themselves.”
Right Of Woman To Work
Maha Al-Harby, a member of the Facebook support group said, “Why do they always make a woman sound like a weak person who cannot resist men? And why are men always better than women? I think it’s up to women. If she was going to do something wrong then she wouldn’t have applied for a job, she would have used other ways to make money.”
Clerics’ Indifference To Men Working In Lingerie Shops
Members of the Facebook support group also talked about the clerics’ indifference on men who work in lingerie shops. Layla Asaad said, “Men are still selling in lingerie shops and women are still buying from them because they have to. And those religious men did not do a thing about it. Now they (the clerics) are making a strong stand against women cashiers, which is a way better job than selling underwear to others.”
Think About It
Did Youssef Al-Ahmed issue the fatwa because of sex segregation or is this a move to discourage women from working? If this is an issue of sex segregation, why are the clerics silent on men who work in lingerie stores? Wouldn’t these men be in close proximity with women customers, particularly when body measurements of women (e.g. busts and hips) are taken?
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