Shura Council member rejects ban on baby names

Manama: A member of Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council has denounced the decision by the civil authorities to ban 50 baby names on the grounds they clashed with the local culture or were inappropriate.

“The decision by the mufti on the names is an interpretation, so if he is right it is good for him and for those who follow him, but it cannot be imposed on others,” Eisa Al Ghaith said. “There is a serious issue when an interpretation which is just an opinion becomes an obligation for government agencies and for the people. A commitment becomes official only when there is a religious consensus about it. However, if there is no full agreement, there can be no obligation,” he said in remarks published by local daily Al Sharq on Sunday.

Civil authorities last week announced a list of 50 names that cannot be given to new babies, saying that they were alien to the local culture or offended religious sensibilities or were of non-Arabic or non-Islamic origin.

Several people said they were bewildered by the inclusion of some of the names on the list, particularly that they have traditionally been part of the local scene for decades.

Abdul Nasser (The Servant of Nasser), a well-known name throughout the Arab world, was among the names to be banned by the authorities amid speculations that Nasser (Supporter) is a quality of God, but not one of His 99 names.

“Fatwas by religious leaders must not be imposed on all people,” Al Ghaith said. “Anyone who rejects the ban on a name on the list can take the issue to court and I am sure the verdict will be in his favour. We all agree that the names that include ‘Abd’ (Servant) must precede a name or attribute of God even if there is no official ban list because servitude is only for God and not for one of His people. However, for the ban on the other names, we do need an official text from the Council of Ministers,” he said.

The Shura Council member added that he looked forward to knowing the reasons that prompted the decision to ban the names.

Online reactions overwhelmingly supported Al Ghaith in his arguments.