Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council decided to consider proposals to amend citizenship law.
According to the report published in Saudi Gazette, Council on Tuesday decided to study suggestions which support that child should be given citizenship if his/her mother is Saudi citizen irrespective of father’s nationality.
The decision to study this proposal was supported by a majority of 63 votes.
It may be mentioned that although the proposal was made two years ago but never discussed.
The proposal was tabled by Latifa Al-Shaalan, Ata Al-Sibaiti, Haya Al-Manie, Thuraya Obaid and Wafa Taibah.
This suggestion triggered a debate in the Council. Many supported it. However, few opposed the proposal.
A member, Fahd Al-Anzi opposing the proposal said that child is attached to his/her father.
However, another member, Faisal Al-Fadil supported the proposal and said that giving citizenship to such children is as per Shariat. Iqbal Darandri, a female member supported the proposal.
Another female member, Noura Al-Masaad said that many countries give citizenship to a child born to a woman who is a citizen irrespective of father’s citizenship.
It was also argued that denying citizenship to such children will lead to lack of qualified cadre in the Kingdom.