Women Can Stop Getting Pregnant Temporarily---- Senior Saudi Scholar

Muslim women are allowed to mix with males at shopping centers and hospitals, but they should be dressed decently and avoid seducing men, according to a senior Saudi Islamic Scholar. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Sileiman Bin Menei, a member of the seven-man Supreme Scholars Authority in the Gulf Kingdom said women should spend more time at their homes but advised men to listen to their wives and not to ignore them. 'Sada' Arabic language paper published what it said were new Fatwas (Islamic edicts) by Sheikh Menie on various social issues in the country, where gender-mixing is strictly banned in most places, including schools and univrsities. As for gender-mixing in public plsces, unintentional mixing in such places as shopping centers and hospitals is not prohibited, butmy advice to women is that they must dress decently and keep their face veil on. Asked about women who are sterilised, he said such acts are prohibited in Islam, but Muslim women can stop getting pregnant temporarily to contribute to birth control, "this is because women need rest sometimes and also neede to look after their children" Stopping getting pregnant for a while will benefit women, he said. " As for men to seek to sideline women, I say that women who present their opinion are not violating decency. Women are our sisters and we should listen to their opinion and accept it if it is right. Their have been many cases when women presented right opinion and view points." he said. Sheikh Menie also appeared relatively open to women getting jobs but again stressed they should be dressed decently. " Women can take any job provided they do not hold all the powers in any company. They can start business and can have a position in a company. They can also manage their own assets as long as they stick to a dcent appearance," Sheikh added.