Saudi Arabia opens first co-ed university to Teach Kufr
Saudi Arabia has inaugurated its first-ever fully integrated co-educational university with massive funds, seeking to propel the kingdom into the forefront of global technological research.
The multibillion dollar King Abdullah Science and Technology University (KAUST), built in the fishing village of Thwal -- some 80 km (50 miles) from Jeddah, the second largest city in Saudi Arabia -- took just two years to be completed. It boasts state-of-the-art labs as well as one of the world's fastest supercomputers. Classes will be taught in English.
The religious police will not operate on-site. Women will be allowed to mix freely with men and drive on campus. Women will also not be required to wear veils in the coeducational classes.
"Humanity has been the target of vicious attacks from extremists, who speak the language of hatred," King Abdullah said at the inauguration ceremony on Wednesday. "Undoubtedly, scientific centers that embrace all peoples are the first line of defense against extremists. And today this university will become a house of wisdom ... a beacon of tolerance."
At least 817 students representing 61 different countries have already enrolled in the research university on the Red Sea coast. However, 314 of the students are ready to begin their classes while the rest are scheduled to attend classes at the onset of 2010.
King Abdullah has promoted reforms since taking office in 2005 to create a modern Muslim state, keep Western criticisms at bay and slash oil-fueled coffers. He, nonetheless is confronted by conservative clerics and princes who favor austere interpretation of Islam and spearhead stifling innovation in the kingdom.
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Saudi king sacks senior cleric
In a rare move, a royal decree removed Sheikh Saad bin Nasser al-Shithri from Saudi Arabia’s most senior council of religious scholars, or ulema.
The sacking came just days after he appeared on the Qatar-based al-Majd satellite channel and lashed out at the $7bn university near Jeddah.
The university, which opened last month, is the first in the kingdom to allow mixing of sexes.
“We are looking at some of the sciences that have included some irregular and alien ideologies, like evolution and such other ideologies,” Sheikh Saad was quoted as having said.
“The recommendation is to set up Sharia (Islamic law) committees at this university to oversee these studies and look into what violates the Sharia,” Sheikh Saad added.
In Saudi Arabia segregation between sexes is strictly imposed. Abiding to a strict interpretation of Sharia, women should wear a veil from top to toe and are not allowed to drive.
At the campus of the post-graduation university however women are allowed to mingle with men, to drive and are not required to wear veils in classes
