ABU DHABI Ñ The introduction of women officers has sparked unrest
in the Kuwaiti government and among the police.
Sources said male police officers have refused to salute or acknowledge
their women counterparts. The male officers said saluting women would
violate Islamic and tribal mores.
"This has become a major issue in the police and security forces," a
Kuwaiti source said.
In March 2009, Kuwait graduated scores of female police officers under a
policy set by the Interior Ministry. The officers have begun to serve in the
police as well as the ministry.
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The graduation ceremony sparked anger among many men in the police and
security forces. They cited a ruling by Muslim cleric Ajil Al Nashmi, who
prohibited saluting a female officer.
"The fatwa [religious ruling] hardened the position of the men," the
source said.
The ministry has been debating the unrest within the security forces.
The source said some officials were urging that the ministry abandon the need
for men to salute women officers while others proposed fines as well as
bonuses for women officers who are ignored by their male colleagues.
