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Saudi Arabia's strict interpretation of Islam prohibits unrelated men and women from mingling.—AFP photo
RIYADH: A government-run Saudi Arabian newspaper reports that for the first time in the conservative Muslim country, women will be allowed to attend soccer matches in one of the country's stadiums.
Al-Sharq newspaper on Saturday quoted unnamed officials as saying that women will be able to watch the matches in a new facility that will be completed in 2014 in the western port city of Jeddah.
The officials say that the new stadium will include a family section with private cabins and balconies for women who wish to attend the games.
Saudi Arabia's strict interpretation of Islam prohibits unrelated men and women from mingling. Women and men in Saudi Arabia remain highly segregated and are restricted in how they are allowed to mix in public.
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Comments (4) Closed
Jan 28, 2012 07:26pm
Saudi Arabia and his government always take right step for his country and their people. Amen.
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Jan 28, 2012 11:46pm
These are just cosmetic measures to pacify the women of saudi arabia who are becoming more assertive with each passing day. These small liberties may be rolled back any day if the clerics decide that women watching matches amounts to blasphemy.
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Jan 29, 2012 01:19am
No country will ever make any progress in modern world unless its women are free and work with men shoulder to shoulder.
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Jan 29, 2012 02:38pm
I do agree with you, women should gain the freedom, it's sad that women are told all their duties but not their rights which told us in Quran, it's not fair! I think it's time for Muslim women to open the Quran and challenge their systems but sadly women who talk about freedom are scared of Islam in our country. For those i will only say that Quran is not just for the Imam in your local masque, it's for you as well.
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