In Saudi Arabia, a small step forward in women's rights doesn't even begin to overcome the restricted reality of women's life in this oil rich backward kingdom.   In a major breakthrough--for them--Women in Saudi Arabia can now stay in a hotel or a furnished apartment without a male guardian, according to a government decision that comes as the country faces increasing criticism for its severe restrictions on women.The daily Al-Watan, which is deemed close to the Saudi government, reported Monday that the ministry issued a circular to hotels asking them to accept lone women - as long as their information is sent to a local police station.However this slight advance won't help a Saudi woman sitting in jail because her family doesn't like her husband.  Under Saudi law, a woman needs the permission of her family to marry.Saudi lawyer Abdul-Rahman al-Lahem, who used to represent the couple, said local interpretations of Islamic law hold that relatives of a married...(Read Full Post)