Saudi Women Lawyers to Be Permitted to Appear in Court
SAUDI GAZETTE: RIYADH – The Ministry of Justice is drafting a law that would allow female lawyers to argue legal cases in court.

Sheikh Muhammad Bin Al-Issa, Minister of Justice, said Saturday the bill will be issued in the coming days as part of King Abdullah’s “plan to develop the justice system.”

Addressing a workshop on the international legal framework for countering terrorism and its funding which opened in Riyadh Saturday, Al-Issa said the committee to study the role of women in the legal profession has finished its task and that the matter was now awaiting the approval of the King.

The law would mark a major step for female lawyers in the Kingdom. Currently, women law graduates can work in government offices and in court offices, but cannot argue cases before court.

Under the new law, women would be allowed to argue cases on child custody, divorce and other family-related issues. Saudi women lawyers would be allowed to appear in court >>> Fahd Al-Dhibyaniand Adnan Al-Shabrawi | Sunday, February 21, 2010

Denmark: Row over Court Veil Ban

BBC: Danish diplomats to Muslim countries are preparing themselves for another wave of anti-Danish protests after the government announced it would bar judges from wearing headscarves and similar religious or political symbols in courtrooms.

Although the ban will include crucifixes, Jewish skull caps and turbans as well as headscarves, the move is seen as being largely aimed at Muslim judges.

It comes after pressure from the Danish People's Party (DPP), known for its anti-Muslim rhetoric.

Earlier this month, the party produced a widely published poster showing a female judge wearing an all-encompassing burka.

The accompanying text argues that a Muslim headscarf is more than just a feather-light piece of clothing. Rather, it suggests, it is a symbol of submission and tyranny.

The final line of text reads: "Give us Denmark back."

Critics have argued that the burka imagery is misleading as the head covering is already banned from Danish courtrooms.

Cartoon crisis

But DPP leader, Pia Kjaersgaard, said: "Some might take offence because we are using a burka in our campaign. And so what?"

Mrs Kjaersgaard is a key ally of the Danish Prime Minister Fogh Rasmussen - a potential candidate for the newly-created position of president of Europe.

She has said that in hospital she would request another doctor were she to be introduced to one wearing a Muslim headscarf. Denmark: Row over Court Veil Ban >>> By Thomas Buch-Andersen | May 19, 2008

ECONOMIST.COM:
The Islamic Headscarf in Denmark: Covering Up >>> | May 29, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Paperback – Denmark)