Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Abdallah Al-Maatouq announced on Monday that an official fatwa (edict) will be announced Saturday "affirming that the supreme guardian has the right to settle the issue of giving women political rights." Clearly affirming that the supreme guardian (His Highness the Amir) has the power to settle such a controversial issue, Al-Maatouq in remarks to journalists at the National Assembly, stated, "The supreme guardian is empowered to settle such a controversial issue," referring to a fatwa, issued in 1985, which was against granting women political rights. The Fatwa Committee of the ministry has held several meetings on this issue "and its fatwa will be endorsed on Saturday so it may be released in an explicit manner." On measures to be taken by the government to ensure the adoption of the women rights bill, he affirmed the "government is serious and keen on granting women their political rights." Reacting to those who have opposed this right, the minister indicated that they have based their arguments on some points in Islamic jurisprudence, affirming that the issue is of a controversial nature. "I know that most jurisprudence issues can be controversial but the supreme guardian can settle them," he pointed out. The new fatwa would replace one issued in 1985 which clearly stated that Islam forbids women from voting and contesting parliamentary elections. The new edict is expected to boost chances of Kuwaiti women winning political rights in the face of stiff opposition by a majority of Kuwaiti Islamists and conservative tribal lawmakers.