Nationality and Cases of Statelessness in the Middle East and North Africa will serve to further one of the most fundamental objectives of society in the region.63 Finally, it is not just the philosophy of the Arab culture or the teachings of Islam that can offer a positive contribution towards addressing some gaps and challenges with regard to MENA nationality policies, but prominent individuals representing these communities may also be important advocates for change. For instance, vocal support for the naturalisation of Kuwait’s Bidoon was expressed by the prominent and respected Saudi Sheikh Dr Salman Al-Oudeh and the late Syrian Mufti Al-Habashi was a supporter of the call for the amendment of that country’s nationality laws to grant women equal nationality rights with men. Rendering the Palestinians Stateless When discussing the historic grounds of statelessness in the region, it would be necessary to understand the causes behind the creation of the biggest stateless group in the world, the stateless Palestinians. The problem of the Palestinians is complex: it is one of the world’s most protracted situation of statelessness, those affected are spread across the region and around the globe and the traditional 63 - Women’s Refugee Commission, Our Motherland, Our Country. Gender Discrimination and Statelessness in the Middle East and North Africa, June 2013. 52