Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has said that women in the country will have the right to join the advisory Shura Council as full members and will participate in future municipal elections. According to official Saudi Press agency, King Abdullah announced this in a speech delivered to the Shura Council on Sunday. Saudi king said that Muslim women had position in Islamic history and their role in the Saudi society cannot be marginalized. He announced that after consultations with many of Saudi scholars and others, he decided in favour of the participation of women in the Majlis Al-Shura as members from next session. In addition, women will have the right to nominate themselves for membership of Municipal Councils from the next session and have the right to participate in the nomination of candidates.