Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Sa’oud Al-Fei’sal spoke at a British-Saudi conference on Wednesday, where he made comments about future reforms planned in his country, reports the London-based daily Al-Hayyat.
“Women will enter the Saudi Foreign Ministry… men, beware,” said Al-Fei’sal during the conference, which was entitled ‘Two Kingdoms: Facing the Challenges Ahead.’ The foreign minister pointed out that successful political reforms required “an evolutionary process.”
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, who led his country’s delegation to the conference, said the entire British government greatly valued the UK’s relationship with Saudi Arabia.
According to Al-Fei’sal, the role of Saudi women is changing rapidly. “Our educational reforms have created a new generation of highly educated and professionally trained Saudi women who are acquiring their rightful position in Saudi society. I am proud to mention here that this year we shall have women working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the first time.
“This month, we have commenced the process of electing municipal council members as a step in testing the water. The Saudi minister of Islamic affairs has recently declared that there is nothing in Islam that prohibits women from participating in elections…I would not be surprised if they take part in the next round of elections,” said Al-Fei’sal according to Arab News.