Kuwaiti Parliamentarian Warns Minister To Refrain From Implementing Music Classes In Schools

November 5, 2009 9:23 p.m. EST

Teaching music is a horrible idea, a Kuwait parliamentarian has warned the country's minister of education.

Mohammad Hayef Al Mutairi, a conservative Kuwaiti parliamentarian has warned Dr Moudhi Al Humoud, the education and higher studies minister, over efforts to introduce music classes into the country's schools.

"Music is being taught all over the place, they are just trying to pick a fight," Dr. Ghanim A-Najjar, a political science professor at Kuwait University, told the Media Line. "Music has been thought for the last 45 years. She does not want to teach music, music is there, its just some changes in the music courses that all."

Al Humoud, who is Western educated, was recently at a the center of a controversy over whether female parliamentarians were obligated to wear the hijab headscarf after conservative parliamentarian Mohammed al Hayef asked the Ministry of Islamic Affairs to impose a regulation requiring it.

In addition to Al Humoud, who was appointed as minister and not elected, there are four elected female members of parliament, two of whom wear the hijab and two do not.

Tension surrounding the role of women in Kuwaiti political life have been around since women were given equal political rights in 2005.

One of the original preconditions set when Kuwaiti women were given the right to vote and run for office was that women entering political life follow Sharia, Islamic law, which requires women to were the hijab.

The issue is currently being considered by the Kuwaiti constitutional court and a decision is expected at the end of November.

In the current assembly, which was elected in May 2009, many conservative parliamentarians lost their seats to more liberal candidates.

Kuwaiti politics have been stormy ever since democracy was introduced in 1962. Of the twelve assemblies elected since, two were suspended for a total of eleven years, while four were dissolved and fresh elections held.

In addition to the parliamentary struggle between conservative and liberals there is further tension between members of parliament and the ruling Emir Sheikh 'Sabah A-'Sabah, who disbanded the previous assembly in March, claiming some of its members were a threat to the stability of the nation.

The emir was referring to the attempt by a number of parliamentarians to question Prime Minister Sheikh Na'sr Mohammed Al-Ahmad A-'Sabah over alleged mismanagement, constitutional violations and misuse of public funds.