An audience of over 300 Saudi female writers and journalists entered into a heated discussion with Minister of Culture and Information Abdul Aziz Khoja over the weekend on the sidelines of the International Book Fair in Riyadh, demanding more female presence in his ministry and in Saudi media. The minister responded to questions and comments from 13 women during the open meeting. “What I see in Saudi TV and radio is an abundance of working women who are qualified to help build a positive society through cultural contribution,” the minister said responding to a question about the female presence in the Ministry by A'la Al-Majhid. But the Ministry of Culture and Information has not yet rewarded women with high-level positions, such as the Ministry of Education did with the appointment of Nora Al-Fayez as deputy minister, said a woman from Taif. “We appreciate the role of women in society, but decisions are made based on qualifications whether at the ministerial level or in literary clubs. But it's my pleasure to have more female participation,” Khoja said. Critic Siham Al-Qahtani asked the minister if he has taken on the role of a neighborhood chief, intervening in solving “cultural” problems related to his ministry in every part of the Kingdom. “Isn't there a law enacted for different types of cultural conflicts?” she asked. “Right. Sometimes I find that I am like a neighborhood chief and it's really embarrassing to get involved in such problems,” the minister said. It is difficult to put cultured people under surveillance as they represent the conscience of the nation, he added. “The Ministry only gets involved in administrative violations, but stays away from issues regarding ideological and cultural attitudes,” he added. Layla Al-Uhaidib said that she sent the minister a message on his home page on Facebook.com to release her books. “Your Excellency, we want your help to stir stagnant water and provide women with major jobs at the ministry, just as the Ministry of Education did,” she said. In response, the minister said, “Women are an essential part of the decision-making process in the ministry as many of them hold prominent positions in the ministry. But again leading positions are granted based on qualifications.” Writer Hayla Baghdadi suggested a joint project between the Ministry of Culture and Information and the Ministry of Education to design school curricula to help encourage the growth of a literary movement in the Kingdom, a proposal the minister described as “valuable”. Broadcaster Salwa Shaker asked if the Minister would have another meeting with women writers and journalists. “It's my pleasure to see cultured people, even in their own cities,” Khoja said. “But would you agree to appoint a woman to the position of editor-in-chief?” researcher Badriya Al-Bisher asked. “If the board of directors of a newspaper nominates a woman to be editor-in-chief based on her qualifications, we are ready to officially appoint her,” the minister answered. “She may even replace trouble-making editors, like Al-Watan's Jamal Khashoqji,” the minister said in jest. Human rights activist Suhaila Zain Al-Abiden deplored the delay of releasing books from the ministry, citing a book titled “Misyar Marriage” that was kept for two years at the censorship department and was only released after major modifications. “I feel sad about the delay in releasing books, but I have no information about this particular problem,” Khoja said, promising an immediate solution. Short story writer Sara Al-Awari said that when women are invited to a conference or different types of literary and cultural gatherings, their government offices will not allow them to attend. “This is really strange,” the minister said, vowing to take action on the issue. Poet Thuraya Al-Areed asked the minister to define a “cultured person”. “It's a person who realizes the responsibility of thought and word,” the minister answered. Okaz/SG __
