"Saudi Arabia's image in the world is appalling and we need to do something about that," said Mrs. Blair

Additional Reporting By Ahmad Maher, IOL Staff 

CAIRO, December 17 (IslamOnline.net) – Cherie Blair, wife of the British premier, was criticized Wednesday, December 17, for claiming Saudi women were not treated as "equals but some sort of other", with critics dismissing the remarks as an intrusion on issues she has no knowledge to address.

Appearing at a dinner promoting Muslim women's participation in public life, Mrs. Blair argued that the image of Saudi Arabia was "appalling", The Independent reported.

"Part of the reason it's appalling is that perception that you treat your women like they are not equals but some sort of 'other'," she told the audience, including Saudi ambassador, Prince Turki al-Faisal.

"I am so delighted that His Royal Highness came from Saudi Arabia because as I said to your wife when I met her Sir, I said that Saudi Arabia's image in the world is appalling and we need to do something about that, we need to help you do something about that," Mrs. Blair added.

In No Position

Reem Bekheit, director of the Future Expert center in Jeddah, told IslamOnline.net Mrs. Blair is in no position to speak about Saudi women at the first place, asserting she spoke about a small cross-section of society.

"She speaks abut a minority in Saudi Arabia…She speaks about a traditional section of society, who are bound by traditions…But it is quite safe to say that they are abnormal, and so they cannot be taken as a yardstick," said Bekheit, who runs a language center in Jeddah.

"These traditions date back before the advent of Islam, so they are Arab ones passed on from one generation to another…They have nothing to do with Islam," she stressed.

The Saudi activist further maintained that fellow Saudi women have advanced by leaps and bounds over the past few years.

"We have women physicians, university professors, language experts, teachers. I say this because I have a direct contact with this section of society," she averred.

Bekheit also said Saudi housewives are playing a key role in brining up children and catering to their husbands "on the contrary to the West".

Asked about the role of Mutwaa, religious police, and their treatment of women,  Bekheit asserted that they became history.

"Unfortunately, there is nothing called Mutwaa right now," she said.

"Mutwaas used to promote virtue in the past and they were serving as some kind of social deterrent."

On banning Saudi women from driving cars, Bekheit said it is a government decision although all Saudis are almost on board that there is nothing wrong for women to take the wheel.

"But, to my way of thinking, the government looks after women and girls…It is a kind of piety," she said.

She put forward a couple of ideas to lift the car ban, for instance, women drivers should stick to the Islamic dress and come home not late than 8:00 p.m.

Western Style

Another Saudi citizen living in Cairo, who asked not to be named, underlined that the problem is that the west "has a certain way of life. Cherie wants Saudi women to behave and dress like British women.

"The West looks at women from a sensational perspective, the more they take off their clothes, the better. If you don't live like them, there is something wrong with you," he added.

"But we will never be like the western society…We honor and respect women and Islam does…The West has a myriad of social ills, to mention but a few, homosexuality and family disunity."

He also highlighted some positive steps taken by the Saudi government to improve the status of women, asserting that the government is mulling a bill allowing women to drive and get licenses.