Saudi Arabia to Build Women’s University

RIYADH (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah on Wednesday launched the construction of the first women-only university in the conservative Islamic state.

The Princess Noura Bint Abdelrahman University for Girls will offer courses in subjects like medicine, pharmacy, management, computer sciences and languages that women find difficulty in studying in normal universities where strict gender segregation is enforced.

“We hope you will be able to open this modern university when it is finished in two years time in continuation of your support for the process of modernization and development,” Finance Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf said in a speech addressing the king at the site outside Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia’s powerful religious establishment has in the past resisted efforts to widen education for women and put them in the workplace, but King Abdullah is pushing social reforms to increase women’s employment.

The country of 25 million has state schools for girls and some private colleges for women.

The government has tried to reassure Saudis over the past two weeks that modernization schemes are on track after fears of a global economic slowdown helped push oil prices down to under $70 a barrel from double that three months ago.

Despite the U.S. ally’s famed riches, many areas are underdeveloped with a lack of roads, sewage system and schools.

No cost for the university was given by state media.

(Reporting by Andrew Hammond; Editing by Richard Balmforth)

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The Permanent Committee on Mixed Education

The scholars of the Permanent Committee for Islaamic Research and Fataawa (al-Lajnah ad-Daa.imah lil-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyyah wal-Iftaa.) stated:

It is haraam for male and female students and teachers to mix in educational institutions, because of the fitnah and provocation of desires and immoral conduct that results from that. The gravity of the sin is compounded if the female teachers and students uncover any part of their ‘awrahs or wear see-through or tight clothing, or if the students or teachers flirt or joke together, which may lead to transgression of limits and violation of honour.

Fataawa Islamiyyah, 3/102,103

Damaaj: “From the Lighthouses of Islam”

Shaykh Rabee’ Ibn Hadee Al-Madkhalee was asked on the 23rd of Ramadan 1424:

What is your opinion of going to study at Daarul Hadith at Damaaj, Yemen, knowing that I am a new student?

The Imam answered by saying:

“Indeed it is befitting that you journey to this strong hold from the strong holds of Islaam, to this lighthouse from the lighthouses of Islaam. Indeed journey should be made to it and the knowledge should be sought there. He (the student of knowledge) will find – inshAllah – much good there and he will find the Sunnah and guidance and he will find there adherence to the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). By Allah, we encourage studying at this abode which is from the strong holds and lighthouses of the Sunnah. In it – inshAllah – are people of the Sunnah and guidance and knowledge, we ask Allah that He keeps them firm on the Sunnah and that He bring about benefit by them and that he make them from among those who carry the banner of Sunnah, in this time period in which innovations have accumulated and trials have evolved. We seek refuge in Allaah.

So all praise are due to Allaah so whoever wants good and wants guidance and whoever wants to be far away from tribulations, he must cling to the strongholds of Sunnah – all praise are due to Allaah – they are numerous in many countries and in particular this strong hold which I see in it clear distinction and all praise are due to Allaah to make it go smooth for the one who strives to it seeking the guidance from its sources and seeking an enlightenment from the Sunnah and good that is there.”

Pondering the meanings of the Qur’aan

The Companions of the Prophet (SAW) recited the Qur’aan and pondered its meaning and were moved by it. ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) became ill after reciting the words of Allah:

7. Verily, the Torment of your Lord will surely come to pass,

8. There is none that can avert it;

[Al-Tur (52): 7-8]

His sobs could be heard from the back of the congregation when he recited Allah’s words about Ya’qub (peace be upon him):

86. He said, “I only complain of my grief and my sorrow to Allah and I know from Allah that which you know not.”

[Yusuf (12): 86]

Even when they prostrated as required when reading Qur’aan (sajdaat al-tilaawah – prostrations required when reciting certain aayaat of the Qur’aan), they reacted in different ways. One of them was the man – may Allah have mercy on him – who when he read the aayah,

109. And they fall down on their faces weeping and it adds to their humility

[al-Isra’ (17): 109]

Prostrated as required, then he rebuked himself by saying:

This is the prostration, but where’s the weeping?

 

[Excerpt from Weakness of Iman: it’s signs of weakness, causes, and cures, by Shaikh Muhammad Salih al-Munajjid]

Shaykh Bin Baaz: Delaying Marriage for Completion of Education

 QUESTION:

There is a widespread custom of a young woman or her father refusing those who propose to her until she has completed her high school or university education, or so that she may study for a number of years. What is the ruling on that? And what is your advice to those who do so, so that the young women might reach the age of thirty or more without marrying?

See Answer