Is Saudi Arabia Joining The 21st Century?

Finally some promising news out of Saudi Arabia, one of the most socially and politically repressive societies in the world today, where rape victims are punished, women are unable to socialize with men (that are not family members, not even cousins) and women must get permission (from men) to do pretty much anything. It also happens to be the only country in the world where all women (including foreigners) are not allowed to drive, except perhaps on back roads or their backyards.

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But it looks like Saudi King Abdullah might finally be bringing the country into the 21st century, although I'm sure many will go kicking and screaming into the modern world. It seems Abdullah fired 2 hard-line religious leaders in a bid to reform the religious establishment, replacing them with 2 moderates. Sheik Ibrahim al-Ghaith (head of the notorious religious police) was replaced by Abdel Aziz bin Humain, and the cleric who issued a fatwa claiming it was perfectly okay

to kill the owners of television stations that broadcast immoral content

was replaced by Saleh bin Humaid.

He also, surprisingly, appointed a female to his cabinet, as a deputy minister, to oversee girls' education. This is a first, for a country that is decidedly patriarchal.

Abdullah has also said the first priority on his agenda is to reform the judicial system whereby

Judges currently have complete discretion in issuing sentences, except in cases where Islamic law outlines a punishment, such as capital crimes. That discretion has led to cases that have drawn widespread condemnation. In one, a woman from the eastern city of Qatif was raped but received more lashes than one of her seven assailants. The judge ordered the punishment because she was in a car with a man who is not a relative when the two were intercepted by their attackers.

He's also appointed a new education minister- his son-in-law Prince Faisal bin Abdullah, who has plans to reform the Saudi educational system; a system that many believe fosters extremism by utilizing religious textbooks that contain very negative attitudes and views of non-Muslims. Remember- 15 of the 19 September 11 terrorists, just so happened to be Saudi. There has been some editing of textbooks, but more needs to be done.

Bringing in younger, more moderate blood might just be what the Saudis need. Some people seem to be ready for change: Princess Amira al-Taweel, married to one of the world's richest men, who also happens to be the nephew of King Abdullah says,

"Certainly I'm ready to drive a car. I have an international driver's licence, and I drive a car in all the countries I travel to."

There is still a long way to go before Saudi Arabia catches up to the 21st century, where their women are allowed simple freedoms, to control their own lives without having to ask permission to work, see a doctor, travel, study, marry, or even call an ambulance.

But at least it's a step in the right direction.