Gulf | Oman
Qaboos appoints women to Shura Council
None of 21 women contestants, in a field of 631 candidates, got elected to the 84-seat Shura, Oman's elected council which plays an advisory role to the government.
- Staff Report
- Published: 15:51 November 6, 2007
Muscat: Raheela Al Riyami, who last month lost election in her bid to get elected for the third time to Majlis Ashura, was among the six women who attended the Council of Oman meetings for first time as the State Council's nominated members.
His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Saeed has nominated six women to State Council (Majlis Adawala) as it was expanded to 70 members from 61.
None of 21 women contestants, in a field of 631 candidates, got elected to the 84-seat Shura, Oman's elected council which plays an advisory role to the government.
Thus appointment of six new woman and reappointment of eight out of nine in the previous Council, has at least given women in Oman something to look forward to.
The Omani leader and his government has been encouraging women to take part in the Shura process but voters, including a large number of women, opted for an all-male council (Shura).
"The disappointment of losing Shur elections is definitely overcome as the nomination to the State Council has come from the highest authority," Al Riyami told Gulf News, thanking HM the Sultan for nominating her.
Talking about her first day as the State Council member when she attended HM the Sultan's opening speech, Al Riyami conceded that the feeling was different.
"In Shura people elect you and here I have been nominated by HM the Sultan," she pointed out.
According to her any platform is good if one wants to serve the society and community. "I will continue my work from State Council too," she said.
In the previous Council there were nine women members and now (2008-11) there are 14 with a Royal Decree naming six new members and one not getting re-nomination.
The other new women members nominated are Dr Suaad Bint Mohammed Sulaiman; Dr Shaikha Bint Salim Al Musalamiyah; Dr Muna Bint Saleh Al Bahraniyah; Dr Saleemah Bint Amir Al Barwaniyah; and Dr Nadiya Bint Mohammed Al Wardiyah.
The eight existing members re-nominated are Shokour Bint Mohammed Al Ghamari; Lamees Bint Abdullah Al Taie; Samirah Bint Mohammed Amin; Muna Bint Mahfoudh Al Mantheri; Dr Samirah Bint Mohammed Bin Moosa; Shaikha Zahra Bint Sulaiman Al Nabhaniyah; Dr Fouziyah Bint Nasir Al Farsi; Dr Thuwaibah Bint Ahmed Al Barwani.
Like its members, the State Council Chairman is also appointed by Royal Decree. The minimum age for State Council membership is 40, compared with 21 in the case of Shura.
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