Brave Islamic Woman

It would take a lot of courage for a woman to say anything that might be regarded as mens' business in the world of Islam but a Saudi mother of four has done just that - delivered a blistering attack against Muslim extremists live on a TV show called 'The Million's Poet". Hissa Hilal said that 'Muslim preachers 'who sit in the position of power' are frightening people with their fatwas and 'preying like a wolf'' on those only looking for peace. The poem she wrote got loud cheers from the audience and she's now in the final on April 7. The show is broadcast live every week on satellite tv across the Arab world from Abu Dhabi. And surprise, surprise, she's received death threats posted on militant Islamic websites.


Over the past weeks, poets have aired their poems about various subjects. One poem was an ode to the beauty of Bedouin life, another about the widening gap between rich and poor. But Hilal is the first person to ever to take on extremism which she says is creeping into their society through fatwas. She described hard-line clerics as 'vicious in voice, barbaric, angry and blind, wearing death as a robe cinched with a belt', a reference to suicide bombers explosive belts. A very brave move by a Saudi woman. And the people responded overwhelmingly, the judges gave her top marks, as did the large TV audience, plus hundreds of text messages, giving her enough votes for a place in the final.


Sheik Abdul-Rahman al-Barrak, a prominent cleric in Saudi Arabia recently issued a fatwa saying those who call for the mingling of men and women should be considered infidels, punishable by death. And there are many hard-line clerics who have a huge influence through tv programs, university positiions and websites. 'Killing a human being is so easy for them, it is always an option' she said.

Clerics pronouce fatwas on every aspect of people's lives - from how they should deal with people from another religions to what to watch on TV. But their word is not law and it's up to the people to decide if they follow their rules or not. When asked about death threats she said she was concerned but not enough to go into hiding but she is worried about the fame, and how it could change her quiet family life at home in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

In the final Hilal will be up against five other poets and the winner of the $1.3 million grand prize will be announed a week later. One of her rivals will address terrorism and another woman will speak about the role of women.


'My message to those who hear me is love, compassion and peace' Hilal said "We all have to share a small planet and we need to learn how to live together'.


At last, a lone woman finds the courage to speak the truth.