MUSCAT // Oman's top Islamic cleric made a rare political statement yesterday to strongly support women candidates in upcoming Shura Council elections and urge voters to avoid tribalism and graft.
"Candidates for this year's Shura Council must refrain from offering bribes to get votes. It is against Islamic teaching and immoral," the Grand Mufti, Sheikh Ahmed Al Khalili, was quoted as saying in local media. Sheikh Ahmed, who has been the Sultanate's top cleric since 1978 also urged voters to look past tribal affiliations when they go to the polls in October.
"Vote for any candidate who you think can serve you best. Those who normally go for the members of their own tribes should stop doing so. It is an open vote and a privilege to all," the Grand Mufti said.
The 76-year-old cleric said women have the right to hold public office and men must overcome sexism and vote for qualified female candidates. "Men must vote for women since they have equal rights. It would be wrong for voters to think women cannot use good judgement in the running of our affairs," Sheikh Ahmed added.
In 1992, Sultan Qaboos bin Said established a council called the Majlis Al Shura, which has 84 members elected by constituents in 61 districts. The council advises the government on matters of state but has no legislative powers. Twenty-six women candidates have registered for this year's Shura Council election, compared to nearly 500 men. Successful candidates will hold three-year terms.
Two women were elected of the previous two votes in 2002 and 2005, but no woman is serving on the current term. Women candidates have in the past complained that men vote only for other men.
"It is a timely argument by Sheikh Ahmed to plead our case. We are as good and as educated as men and we can serve everyone. Not to mention that only women understand women's problems such as maternity leave, child raising, coping with divorces and widowhood," said Sharifa Al Hinai. She is one of 11 women candidates, out of a slate of more than 70, in Muscat.
Oman's ministry of interior, which oversees elections, has repeatedly urged men not to exclude women in their voting.
A government report found that, in previous elections, candidates were bribing voters and many voters chose members of their own tribes.
An interior ministry official, who declined to be named, applauded the Grand Mufti's remarks and also advised voters to look beyond gender and tribal links. "Offering bribes will disqualify the candidate this time and we are taking this very seriously," the official said.
