Ms. President Islamically approved

The Grand Mufti of Eygpt, Dr. Ali Goma'a, has declared a fatwa that women in contemporary Islamic countries have the right to become heads of state and lead the nation, according to shar'iah law.

The Mufti reiterated this decision after Egyptian and international media mistakenly reported the opposite of the edict.

The Mufti's reasoning was that a head of state does not have the same obligations of the Calipha to lead Muslims in prayer, a role that only men can undertake.

In the light of this edict, it will be interesting to see whether Islamic preacher Souad Saleh will be granted her application to become Egypt's deputy mufti for women's affairs in Dar al-ifta (Egypt's highest religious council). She has been waiting for eight years.

Further, it is curious to note media reactions after Dr. Gomaa's reiterate his correct statement. Few mainstream American, British, or Canadian media picked up the story or made it prominent. This hush over the fatwa is ironic, given their usually zealous and repetitive criticism of Islam's lack of "democracy" and "equality." Media coverage of Islam's elevation of women's political rights is essential at a time when town councils still have some Jahiliya-like image of Islamic practises.