International Law
Glass Ceiling Shatters in Palestine: 2 Women Become Islamic Court Judges
Posted Feb 24, 2009 3:10 PM CST
By Martha Neil
Women have been police officers, candidates for top political office and even suicide bombers in Palestine. But, until now, they've never served on the bench in the territories' Islamic courts.
That glass ceiling was shattered by Khuloud Faqih, 34, and Asmahan Wuheidi, 31, when they stepped up to the bench this month, reports the Associated Press.
Only Sudan, in the Arab world, also has women serving as Islamic court judges, the news agency writes.
By taking the bench, "I think I've opened a door for myself and other women," Faqih said. And, although some observers contend that Islamic law is disadvantageous to women seeking justice in court cases, "Where I can make decisions that help women obtain better rights, I will," she adds.
Top judge Sheik Taysir Tamimi, who appointed Faqih, says he hopes more women will apply to work as judges in the West Bank, which is governed by the Western-backed Palestinian Authority. The Gaza Strip, which is ruled by the Hamas militant group, hasn't appointed any women to the bench, the AP reports.
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Comments
tim
Feb 24, 2009 3:56 PM CST
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Sara Haddad
Feb 24, 2009 8:52 PM CST
That’s just an ignorant comment and quite unfair, please do some research before making such statements.
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Bill Dugan
Feb 25, 2009 6:06 AM CST
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Oneofmany
Feb 25, 2009 2:05 PM CST
WOW, even a historic event like this has to carry a political bias tone. Please state more relevant facts next time and leave your personal, pointless opinions out. And if you are not able to write an article about this without including your irrelevant personal opinion than maybe you should not be a writer. Image if this type of hidden down played bigoted comments were include about any other race or religion. Image an article that describes Obama’s historic victory by stating that African-Americans have been leaders in Churches, million dollar businesses, major universities, and even murderous GANGS. And then adding to the end of the article that Canada still doesn’t have a black prime minister. Unfortunately, bigoted comments about Arab, Muslims, and Middle Easterner in general regardless of there religious views have become a norm and acceptable. If a comment is a stupid comment if you were to use the words black, American, or Jewish, then the comments are just as stupid if you place any other religion, region, or ethnicities.
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John Smith
Feb 25, 2009 5:06 PM CST
It’s a bit strange that the author has to imply that women serving as Islamic court judges could also be suicide bombers!
Does she also write articles for Fox News?
The Palestine Review
http://palestinereview.com
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