Photo: Screenshot/CBS
Saudi Arabia’s reform-seeking Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is beginning a visit to the United States, said in an interview aired Sunday that women are “absolutely” equal to men and that Islam has not prescribed any specific kind of veil like black head cover or black ‘abaya.’
The statement by the 32-year-old Saudi heir to the Crown in CBS 60 Minutes program marks a clear break with the interpretation espoused by literalists and conservatives in the Saudi Kingdom and other parts of the Muslim world.
The prince, who is also known with his abbreviated name – M.B.S. – also noted that it is up to the women as to what kind of decent dress they choose to wear. Such public and candid expression of thoughts would have been almost inconceivable in the deeply conservative oil-rich country with close ties to the United States.
In an avalanche of social media posts, progressive and liberal-minded segments of the society welcomed the Saudi prince’s statement on equality of men and women in view of the deeply conservative views in the country.
https://www.cbsnews.com/videos/the-saudi-crown-prince-talks-to-60-minutes
Following is is the transcript of questions and answers as released by CBS on its website:
“Norah O’Donnell: Are women equal to men?
Mohammed bin Salman: Absolutely. We are all human beings and there is no difference.
Norah O’Donnell: You have said you are, “Taking Saudi Arabia back to what we were, a moderate Islam.” What does that mean?
Mohammed bin Salman: We have extremists who forbid mixing between the two sexes and are unable to differentiate between a man and a woman alone together and their being together in a workplace. Many of those ideas contradict the way of life during the time of the prophet and the Caliphs. This is the real example and the true model.
Mohammed bin Salman: The laws are very clear and stipulated in the laws of Sharia: that women wear decent, respectful clothing, like men. This, however, does not particularly specify a black abaya or a black head cover. The decision is entirely left for women to decide what type of decent and respectful attire she chooses to wear.”
