Saudi Lecturer Adnan Hassan Bahareth: Women Can Succeed in Politics Only When Surrounded by Men

Following is an interview with Saudi lecturer Adnan Hassan Bahareth, which aired on Iqra TV on April 16, 2007.

Interviewer: There are cases in history of women who succeeded in politics. The Queen of Sheba is one example, and in modern times, we had Thatcher, Albright, and now we have Condoleezza Rice. There were many cases of women who succeeded in politics, more than their male counterparts. Doesn't this contradict your claim that women, as females, cannot...

Adnan Hassan Bahareth: I just want to say one thing. When would it be possible to say a certain woman has succeeded in politics?

Interviewer: When she fulfills her duty...

Adnan Hassan Bahareth: No, that's not it.

Interviewer: When, then?

Adnan Hassan Bahareth: Only if she were entirely surrounded by women. In such a case, there would be not problem to say this. Let's take it step by step. If you were to place a ten-year-old boy on the throne, and then surround him with scholars, thinkers, and military commanders - would he or would he not succeed? He would succeed and would fulfill his role. Throughout human history – from beginning to end –the [political] administrations have always been composed of men, and only occasionally would there be a woman.

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How does a woman reach the top in politics? It happens, like in the case of the Persians and others like them, only when they lose the man. Some families are believed to be suited for leadership, and if no suitable man is left among them, they take a woman.