News and Views
World’s Largest Women’s University Opens in Saudi Arabia
Covering an area of over 8 million square meters, built for a capacity of 50,000 students, 15 colleges, a 700 bed university hospital. All built in just 2 and half years; for women. More precisely, for the women of a Muslim country.
Unfortunately, the opening of Princess Noura bint Abdulrahman women’s university earlier this month in Riyadh, largest of it’s kind in the world, did not make international headlines. Looking at the attention received by other issues surrounding women, such as the driving ban, I felt that the building of this university refuted any claims that the some laws are imposed to mistreat women or lower their status in society. Personally, driving is a barely a concern when the women of a country are deemed deserving of such a great institution.
If the establishment of this university is of no or little concern to the same media sources whose pens hastily move at any chance to discuss the ‘oppressed’ lives of the women of this country and neighboring Muslim countries, then I can only be led to question their motives. Why is it that topics of veils and male guardians turn their heads, as they feel a need to ‘free’ Muslim women, yet an educational institute dedicated to the same women does not seem as important?
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The opening of this university, should be applauded not only by Muslims, but by anyone who is truly concerned about giving Muslim women their rights. It is true that many women around the world have received the right to education, but this university goes beyond that, as it provides women the right to study in the field of their choice in an environment free of the pressures, temptations and challenges presented in a co-ed environment.
Princess Noura university is a leading example to Muslim countries, if they truly seek to educate their women, whilst protecting and honoring them. As a Muslim woman, I am proud that the initiative to build the world’s largest women’s university was undertaken by a Muslim country. More so, a country that witnessed the revelation of a Religion that has always held the status of women in high esteem.
The new campus includes a 700-bed university hospital, 15 colleges, a central library, a conference hall, laboratories and three research centers for nanotechnology, information technology and bioscience. Arab News
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BintKhalil
May 31, 2011 at 11:16 PM
Assalamu alaikum
This is phenomenal mashaAllah! No surprise this isn’t making headlines internationally. I was especially amazed by the waste treatment plants at the university, considering how the Persian Gulf isn’t exactly known for recycling.
PS – Both your font and link are messed up.
Khan
June 1, 2011 at 12:04 AM
world’s largest women university doesnt have a website !!!??!!!
Of Course it Does
June 1, 2011 at 6:17 AM
http://www.pnu.edu.sa/
abu Abdullah
June 2, 2011 at 3:40 AM
[@TitleOfTheArticle]World’s Largest Women’s University???? Why does This University only allow to enter only largest women? [/@TitleOfTheArticle]
mash Allah great initiative. IF someone knows how to contact the authorities may be we could offer them to build a decent website to start with.
Ahmad
March 14, 2016 at 7:28 AM
Haha.
World’s Largest University for Female!
Aysha
July 19, 2016 at 2:08 AM
Assalaamaleykum warahmathuhloahi wabarakaatuhu
When writing God Willing in Arabic/english, we should NOT write it as “inshAllah” or “inshallah” because it means create Allah.
Whether Arabic or English please make sure we write it properly as “In shaa Allah”, this means “if Allah wills”
I didn’t realize this mistake myself till I read this So make sure you forward this to everyone and help them correct their mistake too! ”
………..
Don’t say:
مشى الله
“Mashallah”
Instead say:
ما شاء الله
“Maa shaa’ Allaah”
The first one means: Allaah walked.
The second one means: It is as Allaah has willed.
Abu J
June 14, 2011 at 7:13 AM
In english;
http://www.pnu.edu.sa/en/Default.aspx
Asif Edrish
March 13, 2016 at 5:31 PM
pnu.edu.sa. This is the web address.
motiur
March 14, 2016 at 2:46 AM
http://www.pnu.edu.sa/en/Pages/default.aspx
ibrahim
June 1, 2011 at 8:48 AM
Why don”t they go a step further and build women-only hospitals, women-only transport systems, women-only cities and women-only cemeteries? Complete segregation from cradle to grave.
Humble Muslim
June 1, 2011 at 8:56 AM
Women only universities have always been around, even in the West. Hilary Clinton is an alumni of one the most well known ones here in the USA, Wellesley College. Do you have a problem with women only universities?
Disgusted
June 1, 2011 at 10:25 PM
I have no problem with them when they’re built in a society which also accepts and embraces the legitimacy of co-ed institutions, i.e . The United States.
In a society like Saudi Arabia, however, which doesn’t see that as an alternative, yes, I have a huge problem with them, and so should anyone else who stops to think.
Cartoon M
June 2, 2011 at 3:28 PM
I’m sure not everything is 100% segregated in Saudi Arabia. Someone can correct me if I’m wrong. But as long as each gender is receiving the same quality of education, why is a co-ed college necessary? Maybe that’s just the preference of the people in that country?
Disgusted
June 4, 2011 at 4:21 PM
I’d find it to be more likely that it’s the preference of the ruling elite, Cartoon M, and they have anything but the interests and well-being of the people in mind.
Muddassir
June 5, 2011 at 1:04 PM
Its not the preference of any people but of the last and final way of life Islam.
Grapefruit
June 1, 2011 at 9:00 AM
seriously?
abu Abdullah
June 2, 2011 at 3:45 AM
Seems like you have seen Mustafa Aykol’s TED video, who did the same mistake of undermining the Sunnah of the prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, while correctly pointing out the difference between Islam as a religion and Various culture and practices of Muslims that are falsely attributed to Muslims generally in the west by saying Women are not segregated in tawaf but in Burger King outside and pointing out that its their culture and Not part of religion.
Take it easy Ibrahim, while women-only hospital seems a legitimate idea, No one is forcing them to enroll the university. It will be their own choice inshAllah. There are scholars there to deal with that issue better than us. So chill..
wassalam
UmMariam
March 14, 2016 at 1:17 AM
Ibrahim, you apparently are bit aware of research showing that both males and females achieve greater academic success when studying at single-ended schools. Also, girls need not concern themselves from unwanted attention there. My own daughter is studying at a top university in the U.S., where sexual harassment and attempted rape are issues on campus (Google the stats). The university instituted a zero-tolerance policy against this, and now males are complaining that any accusation by an unhappy girlfriend or coed could get them expelled. I myself have been in classes where the professor made thinly-disguised remarks and double intendres about the female students. That is disgusting and outrageous–total disloyalty to the trust they are given to respect and educate the young people in their care. I would love to send my girls to an all-female university, where they would be very safe on campus and not be disturbed by males who choose to be rude and sometimes aggressive. For those Saudis and others who speculate that Saudi boys musbehave because they never learned how to mix with girls–just look at all the sexual harrassment in the universities and work place (and also in the military) among born-and-bred Americans, whi have mixed with girls from young childhood. I am not saying that all males are monsters–but relatively few young people are raised with excellent tarbiya these days. In the absence of having been taught morals and behavior at home, and without an attitude if loving and fearing God–plus, with the prevalent objectification of women in the media and online, the number of young men who behave disrespectfully toward females is growing. Last, if you agree that men and women are equal (I do), then what will girls lose in an environment free of males? Their female peers should be just as academically capable and innovative. And their female professors should be just as talented. I don’t think my daughters would lose anything by attending a female-only school or university. I believe they would only stand to gain, by an atmosphere free of distractions and provocations. Thank you, Princess Nora!
UmMariam
March 14, 2016 at 1:20 AM
Typo corrections, sorry: Ibrahim, you apparently are NOT aware of research showing that both males and females achieve greater academic success when studying at single-GENDER schools.
asiya
March 15, 2016 at 3:35 AM
um mariam well said. thats what am talkin about
Nganga
March 14, 2016 at 2:49 AM
You don’t know what you talking about! If do not have something good to say better you keep quiet.
Armiyau
March 14, 2016 at 2:54 AM
U are fool, am suspecting u ar one of modern kharijites
Mohamed Alamin
August 15, 2016 at 12:01 AM
Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit . Why don’t you segregate yourself from the intellectual society and stay with the morons ??
be
June 1, 2011 at 11:00 AM
” I felt that the building of this university refuted any claims that the some laws are imposed to mistreat women or lower their status in society. Personally, driving is a barely a concern when the women of a country are deemed deserving of such a great institution.”
noooo! come on now!
waleed ahmed
June 1, 2011 at 12:16 PM
good article. its does a good job pointing out the double standards we see in journalism. i don’t however agree with the comment about driving barely being a concern. btw, The Guardian did report this..with their own twist on the story ofcourse …
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/may/27/saudi-arabia-university-for-women
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2008/nov/01/saudi-arabia-middle-east
SabrunJameel
June 1, 2011 at 12:43 PM
”The Guardian did report this..with their own twist on the story ofcourse…”
The second article is better; the first one barely focuses on the point of the article and just goes off on a negative tangent. Women don’t need to be politicians or public figures to have an education…I think it’s great mashAllah and I hope that Allah SWT blesess it !
or they COULD be
June 2, 2011 at 12:38 PM
Or they COULD be, what’s wrong with them being politicians and public figures?
SabrunJameel
June 3, 2011 at 2:07 PM
”Women don’t need to be politicians or public figures to have an education“
SabrunJameel
June 3, 2011 at 2:24 PM
… Like I said about the Guardian; the point of this post and the announcements isn’t about Saudi policies, thus there is no need to bring it up and especially debate about it (here as well). Instead, it is the celebration of an achievement, and the mere fact of even twisting achievements and placing it under a negative light demonstrates a real lack of altruism…
Altaf
August 16, 2016 at 3:06 PM
Women is the most respected gender in Islam and i believe Islam has given her own rights which wont be deny by any of you?? Women is really something like precious stone infact our Prophet Muhammed ( peace and blessings of Allah upon him) has given women name as Pearls, which is to be preserved with great care..!! Women needs best of everything in this world even the best education best clothing best of everything but in the shield of Shariah..!! I suppot of best education to be given to women rather than mens.. Be blessed you all who has taken this decidion to build this university only for womens..!! Stay blessed
Saba
June 1, 2011 at 12:29 PM
Wow MashaAllah!
this is great!
ZAI
June 1, 2011 at 4:05 PM
I hope these brave women remember to wear their niqab and abaya before they try to escape the place if a raging fire ever breaks out there…
Look, I’m all for criticizing sensationalist Western media which indulges in selective, stereotypical and discriminatory “news” chock full of contradictions and doublestandards…
…but unfortunately they’re not too far off about Saudi Arabia. This university is the exception, not the norm, for how women are treated there. The norm in Saudi Arabia is most definitely horrid for women, especially for women who aren’t rich or part of the royal family. Yeah, just for the sake of argument let’s leave aside a “minor” issue like driving….no problem, plenty of other major problems for women there…child custody, forced marriages, forced young marriages, obtaining fair divorce, being able to travel w/o a male(even outside the home, let alone outside of the country)…
Sorry, but a country where my 58 year old mother has to ask her 30 year old son for “permission” to travel is no example to follow. I’m not even gonna get into the totally revolting situation of domestic servants or non-Arabs there…
I think criticizing the Western press is important…but sometimes they are right, just as non-Westerners are often right in their critiques of the Western world. I’m sorry, but Saudi Arabia is nowhere near a good example of most things. Infact the opposite. Talking about Western double standards, it’s hilarious to see Iran criticized as a type of hell for women when our good bestest buddy Saudi Arabia gets a free pass..Iran is freakin’ Jannah compared to Saudi for women…
So, um..no. Just no. I’m not gonna line up for this phoney psuedo-unity and praise Saudi Arabia. That place deserves boatloads of criticisms. Everyday that Turkey and Egypt, the other historical cultural/religious leadership centers of the Muslim world, become more influential and decrease Saudi Arabias influence concurrently, is a GOOD day…
be
June 1, 2011 at 4:37 PM
Jak ZIA,
you summed up my view point and regarding Iran indeed it is not perfect but yes women means business there for real not just a female for the photo shop. ….yep TOTALLY AGREE WITH U
let’s be honest about KSA …
bintMohamed
June 1, 2011 at 6:07 PM
A-GREED!
Muddassir
June 1, 2011 at 10:50 PM
Dude common everyone knows that women are far worse in the west and iran than in Saudi, and what you have quoted are just isolated incidents which are always blown up. Statistics show that a women is raped every few minutes in the USofA. Iran is topmost in oppression and in women feeling insecure. Saudi provides the basic needs for humans abundantly that is food, shelter, clothing, and safety. This is what really matters.
umm...no
June 2, 2011 at 12:42 PM
Except that that’s not true, everyone DOESN’T know that (again, because it’s not true), most people don’t even think that, etc. etc.
as for what you say “really matters” (and really, personal rights and protection and self-determination don’t matter? that’s hilarious), the money they receive to provide for themselves is often not enough, and the claim that they’re “safe” is laughable at best. you’re SAFE when you have the authority to look after yourself, and don’t have an entire community of men hounding you in every way imaginable.
ZAI
June 3, 2011 at 1:02 AM
Dude common everyone knows that women are far worse in the west and iran than in Saudi
No. Not everyone “knows” that as if it’s a fact.
The US has many, multiple problems regarding women’s issues…but compared to Saudi Arabia the OVERALL day to day situation for women is much better. The same is true in Iran, which is a horrendous regime in terms of human rights or Islamic rights, but the fact that even they’re better off than Saudi Arabia is a testament to how horrid Saudi Arabia is in this regards.
As far as I know women in the US and Iran don’t need permission to travel, let alone a mahram every step of the way. Women in the US and Iran can both work, serve in government, be promoted above a man at work, conduct business, open bank accounts..basically be independant w/o the oversight of a man and have opportunities open to them that are gauranteed to them by law, including financial independence.
Iran has some similar negative issues to Saudi Arabia concerning marriage/divorce laws, but again it also has laws to better the lives of women that Saudi doesn’t have…so even the low standard of Iran surpasses the Saudis.What Saudi Arabia does is basically infantalizes women. They are forever stuck in the position of children and have no adult autonomy, rendering them dependant on men.
The only country Saudi Arabia is better off than concerning the issue of women is my ancestral homeland of Afghanistan. Afghanistan makes the Saudis seem like feminists.
what you have quoted are just isolated incidents which are always blown up
I haven’t quoted any isolated experiences, but what is the norm.
Do Saudi women have child custody rights? Yes or no.
If they don’t get custody, do they have enforced visitation rights?
Do Saudi women have easy access to initiate divorce or is the process very daunting and hard, especially if they aren’t rich or connected?
Do Saudi women have a right to maintenance from ex-husbands who prevented them from working throughout the entire marriage in the event of divorce?
Why can Saudi men marry non-Saudi women who are granted citizenship, but the same is denied to Saudi women?
Why do Saudi women need a male gaurdians permission for EVERYTHING including travel, banking, hotel reservations, home leases, and on and on?
These are not blown up isolated incidents. They’re the reality of EVERY DAY life for Saudi women.
Statistics show that a women is raped every few minutes in the USofA.
The fact that American women are raped negates nothing negative about Saudi Arabia. Women are raped in every country, including the US and Saudi Arabia. Care to know how many domestic female workers from Bangladesh, Indonesia or the Phillipines are raped in Saudi Arabia? The answer to that question will frighten you…
I’m more interested in how governments RESPOND to a crime that happens everywhere on Earth as far the the discussion of RIGHTS is concerned. Right now the ex-head of the IMF is being tried for attempted rape of a maid in a hotel in NY. How many Saudi princes or rich Saudi men are tried for that crime, which happens EVERY DAY in the kingdom?
. Iran is topmost in oppression and in women feeling insecure.
Yes they are, but even they are better than Saudi Arabia in this regards.
Sorry but truth is truth. As horrible as the Iranian regime is, Iranian women have rights and opportunities Saudi women can only dream about. If Iran is topmost, than Saudi Arabia is the tip of the top.
Saudi provides the basic needs for humans abundantly that is food, shelter, clothing, and safety. This is what really matters
Saudi Arabia does not provide those things for everybody. Ask any poor Bengali, Indian, African or others who’ve worked there.
That being said, who are you or I to decide what really matters? I say ask the Saudi women what they want. Ask them in a free environment w/o fear of repercussion or prison what they themselves want. But Saudi Arabia does not allow even that question to be asked does it?
tuwaylib
June 4, 2011 at 4:13 AM
funniest part is when hundreds of non muslim western women apply to work in this university under your imaginary day to day activities of women in saudia.
get your facts right before speaking on a matter.
ZAI
June 6, 2011 at 3:52 PM
You’ve not disproved any of the facts I mentioned…
Non-Muslim Western women, just like most non-Muslim men, who’re working in Saudi Arabia do not live within the general population. Most of them tend to live in large gated communities, some which are practically as big as mini-towns, where they have their own homes, restaurants, stores,etc. that the Saudi authorities are more lax with and therefore provide them a very different lifestyle than that of the local. They usually never leave those compounds aside from work reasons. Even their children attend embassy schools where the atmosphere is different than Saudi ones.
Ask any American who has worked at ARAMCO and he will verify that for you.
So with all due respect, bad example and simply repeating over and over again that my points are “imaginary” or unfactual accomplishes nothing. Refute the points I made one by one and prove them wrong…
Abu Sumaiyah
June 2, 2011 at 3:50 AM
You wrote: 58 year old mother has to ask her 30 year old son for “permission†to travel is no example to follow.
Do you have a problem with the shariah? It is not permissible for a believing woman to travel without a male mahram.
Iran is jannah? Iran is run by people who slander the sahabah! How dare you insult jannah by such a comparison.
I ask MM to delete your blasphemous claims about Jannah.
umm...no
June 2, 2011 at 12:43 PM
There is nothing in shari’a which forbids women from traveling by themselves.
I have a problem, a MAJOR problem, with people making up shari’a.
Curious
June 5, 2011 at 1:00 PM
+1
Agree 100%
Abû Mûsâ Al-Ḥabashî
June 2, 2011 at 8:59 AM
These are plain exaggerations. Have you ever even lived in Saudi?
MW_M
June 2, 2011 at 9:57 AM
No way are these plain exaggerations. You’re living with eyes closed if you think anything he said is an any way an exaggeration. And he didn’t even begin to talk about blatant and institutionalized racism, rampant physical, sexual, and emotional abuse of domestic servants, anti-miscegenation laws (masha’Allah, sharing the distinction of being the only country other than Israel to still have such laws), and corruptness at all levels of society.
Abû Mûsâ Al-Ḥabashî
June 2, 2011 at 12:17 PM
It’s not an exaggeration to say that some of that *exists* in Saudi Arabia but it’s most definitely an exaggeration to say that they are the norm as he/she is clearly implying. To claim for example that women in Saudi require a male to travel outside their home is utterly ridiculous. I’ve never even heard of a forced marriage that was allowed to stand. People take these kinds of incidents from (liberal) Saudi newspaper articles and assume they’re the norm, ignoring the fact that most Saudis are just as horrified by said incident as anyone else. By that standard, Qur’ân burning is rampant in America.
Humble Muslim
June 2, 2011 at 12:24 PM
Salam
Yes I agree. I remember reading a few years ago that divorce was up in Saudi Arabia because more women were going to courts as a result of domestic abuse. So there must be some sort of protection of women there if that’s the case. Now if you look at certain places in Pakistan, an abused women would be murdered before she even took a step towards the court.
umm...no
June 2, 2011 at 12:46 PM
Except that the proposed Qur’an burning by Terry Jones that everyone was up in arms about didn’t even happen.
In Saudi Arabia, all of these things DO happen, and fairly often.
Whether or not they’re the norm, the fact remains that they happen, and they’re not rare, and that’s a problem.
ZAI
June 3, 2011 at 1:36 AM
It’s not an exaggeration to say that some of that *exists* in Saudi Arabia but it’s most definitely an exaggeration to say that they are the norm as he/she is clearly implying.
Iam a “he” and the hard situation of women in Saudi Arabia ON THE WHOLE is definitely the norm. What do Saudi women get to do easily?
1. Can they travel alone w/o permission?
2. Can they open a bank account w/o permission?
3. Can they EASILY initiate a divorce?
4. How often do they get child custody?
5. How easy is child visitation?
6. Can they be promoted above men at work?
7. Can they lease or buy a home w/o permission?
8. Can they drive?
9. Can they easily refuse their parents choice for marriage w/o fear and be gauranteed protection?
10. Can they get maintenance from an ex-husband who refused to let them work?
11. Can they marry a non-Saudi man who will be given Saudi citizenship?
12. Can they register for school without permission?
I could go on and on. I’m NOT talking about any specific incident. Exceptional incidents happen everywhere. What I’m talking about is EVERYDAY life and how difficult things are made for women there. The ENTIRE SYSTEM is set up to make women’s lives complicated and laborious and ensure the control of men, aka their “gaurdians”.
To claim for example that women in Saudi require a male to travel outside their home is utterly ridiculous
. You are correct, TECHNICALLY, they can go outside their homes. However they can’t DO anything much outside their homes except for shopping and even then the mutawwa constantly harrass them.
Saudi Arabia infantilizes life for women. They’re basically stuck in the position of permanent childhood because the whole system is constructed to give male relatives control over all aspects of their lives. They have no power over their lives, especially if they are not rich or connected to the royal family.
I’ve never even heard of a forced marriage that was allowed to stand
It is exceedingly HARD for Saudi women to INITIATE divorce.
Furthermore, many women in these forced marriages are scared of the government and even their own families, so they remain silent. These issues must be looked at much more deeply than one marriage or another being annulled. The fact is that the entire social mileau and government structure ensures a type of silence about many a wrong.
There is rampant racism, rape, abuse, etc. in Saudi Arabia. The fact that it is not reported does not mean it doesn’t exist. The fact that the Saudi government is annulling these marriages, especially when the media focuses on them, is proof that it’s going on and you can be sure there are thousands of cases we don’t hear about. Some of these women are just braver than others.
People take these kinds of incidents from (liberal) Saudi newspaper articles and assume they’re the norm, ignoring the fact that most Saudis are just as horrified by said incident as anyone else
I’m not interested in these labels of “liberal”, etc. I’m interested in reports of whats happening and whether or not a government and people take action to prevent or lessen these incidents.
If Saudis are indeed horrified, then they should demand the government to change the laws and enforce them. There are way too many books, lengthy reports from human rights organizations and personal testimonies by various people, including foriegn expats, to simply dismiss.
AbdulQ
June 2, 2011 at 11:23 AM
Agreed! I couldn’t have said it better myself, with the exception of one thing. I think saying “women are better in the USA!” or even “NO, HARAM! Women are better off in KSA!” is utterly useless. As far as I see it, no country in the modern world embodies the glory and honour Islam and the Prophet pbuh’s Sunnah give to women, each has its seemingly positives, and shameful negatives.
WAllahu ‘Alam
Humble Muslim
June 2, 2011 at 11:27 AM
Salam
Best comment in this thread mashallah!
ZAI
June 3, 2011 at 1:51 AM
My brother…
I totally agree with you that each country has it’s positives and negatives in all areas, including the situation of women. I think it’s disingenuous to pretend that Saudi Arabia is not an EXTREME though.
Most nations around the world would settle into the middle on the spectrum, but Saudi Arabia is definitely at a bad extreme. They’re barely ahead of Afghanistan, not a great accomplishment by any means and I’m saying that as an Afghan male.
If this article had been about Turkey, Egypt, Morrocco, UAE or Qatar I would have agreed that a balanced view is necessary and Western media concentrates too much on only the negative. But with Saudi Arabia? Sorry, no. Saudi Arabia along with countries like Afghanistan and Iran are definitely at an extreme and need to be called out.
I totally disagree with the tenor of this article.
The author states: I felt that the building of this university refuted any claims that the some laws are imposed to mistreat women or lower their status in society.
Sorry, but NO. The building of one university for women does not in any way negate the hundreds of other ways women are mistreated in Saudi Arabia, let alone migrant workers and foriegners. Western media is doing NOTHING wrong exposing the wrongs of Saudi Arabia.
I will not stand to attention for a type of reactionary defense of all Muslim countries and an automatic deflection of all Western criticisms. Just as Muslims have the right to point out the many wrongs of the west including imperialism, wars and economic oppression, there is nothing wrong with western criticism if it is factual and sincere.
We Muslims MUST learn to be self-criticial and openly so. Not for the sake and interests of the West, but for the sake of ourselves. It does no good to sweep legitimate issues under the rug and deflect them as foriegn. That only strengthens those truly bigoted people in the Western world and anywhere else who want to malign Islam and call us hypocrites. This I will not do. The Qoran says to speak the truth, even if it is against oneself…I will not spare my own ancestral homeland, Afghanistan, in this regards…nor any Muslim nation or non-Muslim nation.
If I say wrong, then I invite discussion and to learn from others and I myself pray that no one takes from what I’ve said…
Disgusted
June 1, 2011 at 10:21 PM
Wrong. These woman are oppressed, regardless of whether or not an all-women’s institution is built (and seriously? All women? What, are the benefits of coeducational facilities, in which half of all knowledge, talent, and potential ISN’T lost, lost on these people? Of course they are).
You can’t hide the oppressing of women by some fancy new glitter and an article on Muslimmatters. In other words, some good doesn’t wipe away all of the bad.
And this is from a religious Muslim, by the way. Not that it matters, but don’t go pointing fingers saying that I don’t know where I’m coming from.
For_Allah
March 18, 2016 at 5:23 PM
Your opinion is that these women are oppressed. I am a man, and would leave this matter to a woman. Since because they themselves are experiencing feel oppressed or not.
Did you understand that there are also women who do not experience this so? But appreciate the underlying reason and justification for this. for those who come from a different upbringing or cultural background, it is often difficult to accept and respect those things/values/preferences of others. In particular, as these are contrary to those of his own.
But this we can also see vice versa. In the west, one can also argue that women are shown as sexualized object. Where they must meet a standard men like to see in appearance and in dress. Again, this can be seen as suppression. And remember that in western women just have voting rights. I am not
attacking you, but hope to bring to a wider understanding and a different view point. I myself am a European who was raised from a Christian family and a few years ago, has entered Islam. So i understand the incomprehension for some of these things, as i had in the past. But afther hearing from muslim women, and them and others explaining these things, i understand this. I hope some of the women here could take some time to explain some of these to the west strange things to you.
Kind regards.
Mayubelle
June 2, 2011 at 12:04 AM
I agree, and take strong exception to the tenor of the article. It is very accusatory and dripping with the regular ‘everyone’s out to undermine us’ theme. This university is a great initiative mashalla, but more generally, as far as Saudi is concerned, it is a highly deserving recipient of the global criticism meted out to it. It’s not great to be a woman there, and terrible to be a member of the migrant labour underclass- female domestics probably forming the most vulnerable and exploited component of it. Strangely, how little the very vocal brigadiers of morality have to say about the rampant sexual abuse of female domestics there.
Akhtar
June 2, 2011 at 2:13 AM
Asalamu Alikum Dear Muslim Akhoowah…..
It is really a great step, i need to say sometihing do try to remember…
” BMW is considered a good car or expensive car..now if an untrained driver driver drives it
that doesn’t mean that BMW is manufacturing tin cars and useless things and you will not
criticize the BMW company………..
Same case follows with the Isalam…. before taking into account of the western views regarding
women in islam you should go to the source what Allah swt has decreed about them and why ?… ”
My dear fellows… One of the scholars had rightly said…..” Your each and every sense has a limitation, your eye has limitation to see and can’t smell, your nose has limitation to smell and can’t see, your skin has limitation to feel and can’t taste…… Accordingly our brains have limitations and are not able to understand the real concepts behind the islamic decrees………….. With such a limited brain, now if you are going to challange the decrees of Almighty Allah…i think it will be as if you are trying to see through you tongue and trying to smell through your ears…..”
Listen….. if the choice is given to Males only…they will think it in a masculine prespective and will leave less for women and if on the other side choice is given to Females …they will think it in feminine prespective and will leave less for men….thus whom will you make judge … don’t you think it should be one who is leader of both male and female…who has created them .. who has nurtured them even when they were not able to ask for anything…… It is only and only Allah swt who can judge …. He has ordained the principles keeping in veiw the feminity and masculinity of human beings……….
Still if you will try to use your limited brain to twist the things and will try to break the rules you will be at losers end….
My dear sisters……. Isn’t is unjustice to give a women all the work load …make her maid of house and let her do all the work of home , let her find a job and make her day long work and earn , let her bore children.. and yourself being male just do one thing do job and earn and use women as a doll…….. Dear sisters you are being exploited by raising the voice for empowerment, freedom…. But relaity of the matter is they want you to be a sex doll, a play doll and thing which they can sell and use for their satisfaction…. Aren’t you being sold even on match box… aren’t you being sold even on a soap….. think… think… think…..
Now where is the protection…. who can save you from exploitation…… it is only and only Allah swt……
Get nearer to Allah swt… understand, learn and ponder over his decrees and principles he has ordainded regarding males and females and then only judge… don’t just by just reading 3 books of western philophy which says….. “everything in this world is due to materialism”….. and another one says “everyting in this world is due to sex & lust”…….
What are you speaking of.. what are you running after……………………….. i call you come back… do come back…… Allah swt says…..
كَلَّا بَلْ تÙكَذّÙبÙوْنَ بÙالدّÙيْن٠ḌÛÛ™ ÙÙيْٓ اَيّ٠صÙوْرَة٠مَّا شَاۗءَ رَكَّبَكَ ÄŽÛÛ Ø§Ù„Ù‘ÙŽØ°Ùيْ خَلَقَكَ Ùَسَوّٰىكَ Ùَعَدَلَكَ ÄŠÛÛ™ يٰٓاَيّÙهَا الْاÙنْسَان٠مَا غَرَّكَ بÙرَبّÙÙƒÙŽ الْكَرÙيْمÙ
“O man! What has seduced thee from thy Lord Most Beneficent?- Him Who created thee. Fashioned thee in due proportion, and gave thee a just bias; In whatever Form He wills, does He put thee together. Nay! But ye do reject Right and Judgment! ” (Al-Quran Ch: 82 V- 6-9)
Md. Abdul Muttalib Razu
March 14, 2016 at 3:33 AM
Thanks for your writing . Please Running on ………………… Thanks again to Write the True & Actual .
ibrahim
June 2, 2011 at 3:45 AM
To humble muslims
I have a problem with women only universities because at some stage in their development they are going to have to interact with men. After spending many years cocooned in women only schools and universities, they are going to find this adjustment very difficult.
abu Abdullah
June 2, 2011 at 3:54 AM
Do you have a problem with Men only universities? They exist. Are you saying that these women won’t have their family of their own, meaning family consisting of their fathers, brothers to grow up with? If you have a difficulty about the idea and I appreciate your choice to do so, but many people who would enroll to the program won’t have similar perspective. Probably there would be women who would be divorced or not from so priveleged background or probably there would be suitable men who would love the idea that their spouse did not attend Co-Ed schools. So as I said before, take it easy.
Off topic – After spending so many year cocooned in the world of our dreams and fantasies all of us, men and women, one day will open eyes to see Allah’s Mercy/Justice on the day of judgment. I would worry more about that. shall we?
umm...
June 12, 2011 at 4:34 PM
uhhh…YEAH, there are quite a few people in the world who do not/won’t have families of their own. what do you have to say now?
Humble Muslim
June 2, 2011 at 11:25 AM
Well Hilary turned out fine.
MW_M
June 3, 2011 at 8:41 AM
lol
Waleed
June 4, 2011 at 1:46 AM
are you sure?
umm abdullah
June 11, 2011 at 6:39 PM
assalamu alaikum
nice university and i would love to study in all women university. do they have islamic studies (shariah) courses besides general ed?? I like the thought of all women ISLAMIC university but if it is just a regular university where the muslim women are educated unimportant useless information, then where is the faaida in this?!
Mariam
June 12, 2011 at 7:10 AM
… women are educated unimportant useless information, then where is the faaida in this?!
I can’t tell if this is a joke or not.
umm...
June 12, 2011 at 4:37 PM
unfortunately, i don’t think this is a joke.
let me break it down for you very clearly: there is NO such thing as “unimportant useless information.”
do you get it now?
on another note, i’m fairly certain the english speakers on this site have no idea what “faaida” means.
Yasmin Barakat
June 12, 2011 at 4:32 PM
Mabruk to Princess Noura University. At least they are giving importance to womens’ education, al Hamdullilah. The issue of women driving in Saudi Arabia, the authorities have the right to prohibit female driving. If females in malls are getting crazy when seeing men, what more if they are driving. Accidents can happen and lives of other people are at stake. Mabruk to the Saudi authorities for prohibiting women driving.
well in that case...
June 15, 2011 at 12:52 AM
In that case, men should be banned from driving as well, when you consider the way they “are getting crazy” when seeing women in malls, and the way they harass women on the streets, etc. etc.
In fact, because driving makes them more easily able to harass women, and go crazy when they see women, then “mabruk to the Saudi authorities” WHEN they ban men from driving.
“Accidents can happen and lives of other people are at stake” if we let men drive! So it only makes sense, right?
Muddassir
June 20, 2011 at 10:07 PM
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/islamic-reality-tv-show-in-malaysia-seeks-best-women-preachers/160942-44.html
Muslim women rock!
Abu Yousef
March 24, 2013 at 11:26 AM
Indeed, why didn’t this make international headlines?. Because Western secular governments and media have been pushing their Satanic agenda of altering Women’s role in societies and using them to destroy the marriage and family institutions as we know them, and replacing them with gay marriage or “domestic partners”, spreading free sex, and all kinds of immorality. As if that was not enough , they are attempting such sickness on other nations thru the U.N.!
ummati
July 25, 2013 at 2:54 PM
those who forget that one day they r going to die and they’ll be accountable for all acts , do such
comments .
i do study in co education and i do feel a lot insecure as a women :( . and i do see all the junctions of Quran which nobody bothers to follow although they are all muslims . people of my country know that the rape cases and ‘zanna ‘ is increasing in our society because of co education . and divorce cases are increasing because our court dont follow shariat rules . we only see one aspect of discussion but ALLAH knows with better vision and HE knows all the aspects of it . women are given authority here but honestly speaking i still find them unsatisfied with what they have , they have jobs , authority , co-education , facilities , right to travel alone still they have more wishes and this lust for more will never end even if she’ll be given the authority to be khalifa :) and instead we a facing a lot more problems and issues now.
as ALLAH says in QURAN ‘maybe you hate something and its good for u , and maybe u love something and its worst thing for u, FOR ALLAH KNOWS AND u DON’t ‘ . so surrender infront of ALLAH , study quran and sunnah , and after understanding what ALLAH wants u wont object again on wat saudi arab has done .
because i myself was against such laws but my curosity made me study QURAN and ALHAMDULILLAH i know wats right and wats wrong beacuse of his BLESSING :)
Jawaher
March 14, 2016 at 4:06 AM
I want to apply in your university for an employment. How can i apply ?
A'isha Salisu Abbas
March 14, 2016 at 6:27 PM
Alhamdu lillah it’s a very interesting news, Allahumma a’izal Islam wal muslimeen and wish to have admission for my daughter.more bless to Holy land.
Muhammad muhsin
March 15, 2016 at 2:36 AM
If building separate place is to be done for only female it would be the best I dear ever think
Abukhaleef
March 15, 2016 at 8:07 AM
I am looking forward to being apart of the news first
fauzy
March 20, 2016 at 7:02 PM
great news for moslem
Sheeza
March 23, 2016 at 3:53 PM
Great newz … thank you for sharing
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