First Qatari woman judge ‘to be appointed’

genesis
By genesis

Qatar will soon get its first woman judge, according to an official at the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC). Fahad al-Mohamedi, deputy director of the Legal Affairs Department at the NHRC, said the government move came as part of the country’s commitment to boost women’s role.
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=348067...

This news is largely debated in a local internet forum, with many Qataris expressing their resentment against such decree. As many think it’s against sharia laws, although there isn’t a clear 'Quranic' verses that prohibit women from being a judge.

Will this boost gender equality in the country?

What do you think?

By razakmpayyoli• 27 Oct 2010 08:41
razakmpayyoli

It is a happy news that a Women is appointed as a Judge in Qatar. Let almighty Allah help her in all decisions. She represents the maternal part of law, its a happy news.

Adv Razak M Payyoli

BSc, LLB, DAL

Lawyer

+965 - 67798524

[email protected]

By Raana• 17 Mar 2010 15:45
Raana

She will judge the case by Heart not by Mind.

''Jha jaker aam insaan ki akal sochna band ker deti hey, Raana vha se sochna shuru kerta hey''

By Chairboy• 17 Mar 2010 15:12
Rating: 3/5
Chairboy

Well I say congratulations and cudos. I found Ms Al-Thani's comments measured, thoughtful,focussed, reserved yet thoroughly appropriate - good characteristics for any Judge - I sincerely hope that over her 3 years of training and observation she takes the opportunity to take stock of some of the ridiculous inconsistencies in the application of the law in this country that she will undoubtedly observe and that when HER time comes to judge she will deal with those found by due course of law to be guilty and punish accordingly - irrespective of nationality. A convicted criminal is a convicted criminal and I am sick of reading the phrase "...in deferring/suspending/postponing/overturning the sentence, the court has taken into account the accused's age and circumstances..." - utter crap!

But please, dont let my rant detract from a moment of celebration for Ms Al-Thani.

By genesis• 16 Mar 2010 10:49
genesis

well said, nic

By Nic• 16 Mar 2010 10:32
Nic

Bassel,

This is an English forum, can't you write in English?

If not we'll translate what you sadly wrote:

"If women have become a judge, judge her"

Why don’t you go back to school, get an education (like she did) and become a judge as well?

Maybe then, you will be able to think and act differently!

By bassel_ash• 15 Mar 2010 23:25
bassel_ash

إذا أصبحت المرأة قاضية

فهي القاضية

By Olive• 12 Mar 2010 23:41
Olive

Sadly it is only the women of the ruling families so far that have had the opportunities for such power. I'm not saying she's not deserving as I"m sure she is. It's just that I wish to see a less known Bedu name in the same position. I think it will be a long time.

literal people are scary, man, literal people scare me

out there trying to rid the world of its poetry while getting it wrong fundamentally down at the church of "look,it sez right here, see!" Ani Difranco

By anonymous• 12 Mar 2010 16:55
anonymous

Source:

- A study Conducted by FriedUnicorn - Vol I (September,1999)

"Resident Attention Seeker"

By Nic• 12 Mar 2010 13:19
Nic

Thanks Genesis. I agree, good move ;)

By genesis• 12 Mar 2010 12:51
Rating: 4/5
genesis

Although Al-Thani is the ruling family, but it's a large family and accounts for no less than 5-10% of the whole qatari population.

Everyone speaks very highly of her having the proper experience & Qualification.

Appointing an AL-thani is a smart political move so women from other tribes to come out & be encouraged

By Nic• 12 Mar 2010 12:24
Nic

Genesis,

I noticed here name is Al-Thani, is she related to the family in power?

By anonymous• 12 Mar 2010 12:21
Rating: 5/5
anonymous

a step in the right direction...of course,MANY Qatari men will be unhappy with this turn of events,used to as they are of being the completely dominant gender since time immemorial,but they can go take a walk,good move Qatar! & good luck...

By genesis• 12 Mar 2010 11:59
genesis

Sheikha Maha Mansour Salman Jassim al-Thani took the oath in Doha yesterday before President of the Supreme Judicial Council Mas’oud Mohamed al-Amiri after her appointment as judicial assistant in the courts. Sheikha Maha was the first woman to be appointed in the judicial corps in Qatar.

http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=348237&version=1&template_id=57&parent_id=56

Apparently , it's more than one women that are taking roles in the judicial system

way to go , my beloved Country :)

By briggslui• 11 Mar 2010 22:54
briggslui

nice

By nomerci• 11 Mar 2010 22:46
nomerci

I belive soon we will see many more women in leading roles in Qatar. The girls that are studiying now are hungry for freedom, independance and responsibilty. And education gives them a chance at exactly that. The boys have always had it, and are not that interested.

What comes around, goes around....

By anonymous• 11 Mar 2010 22:40
anonymous

or is it a good judge who is occupying that position?

Source:

- A study Conducted by FriedUnicorn - Vol I (September,1999)

"Resident Attention Seeker"

By rahsoft• 11 Mar 2010 22:37
Rating: 4/5
rahsoft

came across a book by former president sadats wife in virgin a few weeks ago.

There is a chapter covering the issues in trying to get the first female judge. They suceeded of course and there is no issue with sharia. The excuses was that a woman was too emotional to be of sound judgement to be a judge, despite the fact that a woman can raise a son to be a judge using the very same emotions.

No where does it say that a woman cannot make judgement,

just a patriach society that doesn't like to let go.

My only concern is that such a judge must be on pure merit and not a token gesture. She also be better be very good because she is going to have to prove herself twice as much as the men to counter those who resent a women in such a position.

I say .. give her the benefit of the doubt and good luck.

will it boost gender equality? in the short term no, in the long term maybe. it should be seen as a sign of long term change. Qatar has too small a native population to use gender as a barrier to filling the necessary position with the best people.

Use gender to obstruct women and you automatically lose 50 % of the talent pool. Something Qatar cannot afford.

countries with larger populations have already realised this.

By anonymous• 11 Mar 2010 21:50
anonymous

It's a start atleast. The ideal scenario will be when nobody comments on the gender of a female judge when she is appointed but for now it's a step in the right direction for sure.

/\____/\___/\_______/\______________/\__ ____________________________________ You Lost Me!!

By Oryx• 11 Mar 2010 21:48
Oryx

Oh give it a few more years and there will be lots more Qatari ladies in the judicial system

A lot are studying law

More female graduates than male in Qatar

By Raana• 11 Mar 2010 17:30
Raana

Cannot be equal.

Ofcourse it's against Sharia. John, Islam provides rights on each other not the equality. Doing these stupidity they are towards darkness not Women empowerment

By Victory_278692• 11 Mar 2010 14:56
Victory_278692

in Right direction....

.........Women empowerment!

By mjamille28• 11 Mar 2010 14:25
mjamille28

Well done and i hope she does well on her new responsibility..

By Nic• 11 Mar 2010 12:17
Rating: 3/5
Nic

Way to go, well done!

Hopefully many more will follow.

It will certainly be a step forward towards a society that can handle democracy.

Education is the most powerful weapon that Qatari women will have in conquering more and more a powerful and decisive role in the running of the country!

The hope for a sustainable Qatar relies precisely on educated Qatari Women!

PS. And maybe she will still be on time to take care of Adam's case (yet to be resolved).

By genesis• 11 Mar 2010 12:13
Rating: 2/5
genesis

According to local newspaper, Mashael Al Naimi is now studying the Master of Judicial Studies in Britain to become the country's first female judge in Civil and Commercial Court

By Formatted Soul• 11 Mar 2010 12:12
Rating: 4/5
Formatted Soul

Good move..:) well... Gender equality might take many more yrs to accomplish..but its a good initiative...

It’s a fact that educated Qatari women are much smarter than most of their male counterparts….Genesis.. no offense:) lol

By jackmaeni• 11 Mar 2010 12:00
Rating: 4/5
jackmaeni

it will help qatar to modivate their culture and to bring women on screen also. specially it will be great help for the ladies cases. i hope qatar will modivate itself more so can compare with another countries.

By fanonite• 11 Mar 2010 11:51
fanonite

i hope this appointment will be made based on merit not nepotism ;)

"The more I see of the world the more am I dissatisfied with it." Jane Austen.

By Olive• 11 Mar 2010 11:46
Olive

Yaaaayyyyy for Qatar! And Yaaaayy for the new judge. This is a big step forward. :)

literal people are scary, man, literal people scare me

out there trying to rid the world of its poetry while getting it wrong fundamentally down at the church of "look,it sez right here, see!" Ani Difranco

By svelte_saggi• 11 Mar 2010 11:43
Rating: 4/5
svelte_saggi

yayyyy!good going!

===================================

How glorious it is - and also how painful - to be an exception. - Alfred de Musset

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