KUWAIT CITY – Parliament extended political rights to Kuwaiti women yesterday, but religious fundamentalists who opposed women’s suffrage succeeded in attaching a clause requiring future female politicians and voters to abide by Islamic law.

It was not clear whether that meant a strict dress code or just separate polling stations and election campaigns.

Some of the women activists who ululated and sang the national anthem after the 35-23 vote enacting the law expressed concern about the vague restriction, but others refused to let it dampen their joy.

Islamic conservatives called the law a “bombshell” and accused the government of bowing to foreign pressure. They believe women’s participation in politics contradicts Islam’s teachings and complain it will allow women to mix with men freely.

A fundamentalist lawmaker who voted against the bill, Nasser al-Saneh, said he respected the house’s decision but hoped it did not come as a result of “government pressure that changed the position of many.”

Women can now vote in all Middle Eastern nations where elections are held except Saudi Arabia. The Persian Gulf nations of Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman all have held their first elections in recent years and have allowed women to cast ballots.

The new law passed six years to the day after Kuwait’s emir, Sheik Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah, granted women political rights by decree, but his order was overturned by lawmakers. Shortly after, lawmakers quashed an identical suffrage bill proposed by liberal members.