The appointment of Norah Al-Fayez as the first woman in the Saudi Cabinet as deputy minister for women's education has been widely welcomed. “It is very good news,” said Princess Reem Al-Faisal, granddaughter of the late King Faisal, and an internationally well-known photographer. “It is a result of the evolution that has been taking place in Saudi Arabia,” Princess Reem told Saudi Gazette by phone from Paris on Saturday. “Women are much better educated these days and this is just the beginning of still better things to come soon,” she added. “We were looking forward to such an appointment assigning a woman responsibility in the country's growth and progress,” said Dr. Fardos Bokhari, assistant professor, department of microbiology, College of Sciences at King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah. “It is a very welcome development, infusing ‘new blood,' and extremely encouraging for women, who form an important segment of society,” she said, and added, “The Saudi government realizes women's capabilities and is opening up opportunities for women.” Kholoud Attar, the young founder and creative director of Design magazine, said it is about time that a woman was appointed to a ministerial position in the government, especially dealing with an issue related to women - in this case women's education. “A lot more is coming because King Abdullah is keen on reforms and in seeing women increasingly involved in the country's development,” she added. Dr Faiza Abdu, assistant professor of neurophysiology, department of bioscience at KAAU, said it was a timely and well -deserved appointment of responsibility. “Women have proven their worth in almost all fields and Al-Fayez will do a good job,” she added. Speculations about the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah considering his first Cabinet reshuffle have been going on since the beginning of 2007. He succeeded King Fahd in August, 2005 but did not change the composition of the government. King Abdullah was evaluating and studying the situation, developments and changes, in the country, and those occurring both regionally and globally. When Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, was asked about speculations that the Saudi Cabinet might be reshuffled, he said, “It is up to the King to decide, and no one has the right to talk about that except him. What he decides is good for all.” According to the constitution of Saudi Arabia, executive leadership - including ministers and all senior officials - should be changed once in four years. King Abdullah's decision gives young blood an opportunity to face challenges and participate in the Kingdom's ambitious projects, keeping and strengthening unity. The Council of Ministers was established by King Abdul Aziz in 1953. Under the bylaws promulgated in September, 1993 by the late King Fahd, the Council has responsibility for drafting and overseeing the implementation of internal, external, financial, economic, and educational and defense policies, and general affairs of state. The Council meets weekly, and is presided over by the King or his deputy. In a limited reshuffle in February, 2005, King Fahd relieved four ministers of their posts, at their own request, with two of them replacing each other and two departing.
