Saudi women react to new king
Saudi women are unsure whether the new King Salman will reverse the limited gains in women's rights made under King Abdullah.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Her mobile phone case said it all. It was not covered with sparkling rhinestones or cartoonish kitty cat faces. Just a photo of her beloved king reaching out and shaking her hand at a formal reception.
“He took it and held it, and asked me, ‘How are you?’” the middle-aged professional recalled fondly, imitating the late King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz’s slow-cadenced, masculine voice. “I love him.”
Now that Abdullah is gone, does she think that his successor, King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, will show the same commitment to advancing women’s opportunities as Abdullah or might he slow things down?
“His brother opened the road and now he will close it? No, he can’t!” she declared.
