Editor's Note: Ed Husain is a Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. The following is reprinted with the permission of the Council on Foreign Relations.
By Ed Husain, CFR.org
It tells us much about the modern media and blogosphere when we get excited about news from Saudi Arabia that essentially means very little. Can women in Saudi Arabia run for office in this Thursday’s municipal elections? No. Can they vote? No. But a post-dated political check by an ailing monarch has made global headlines. And yet, a woman sentenced to ten lashes today in Jeddah for violating a driving ban has received no media attention (thus far).
King Abdullah, by all accounts a relative reformer, promised over a decade ago that he would “open all doors for Saudi women to enable them to make their full contributions to the nation…which is in great need of them,” yet to this day in Saudi Arabia women cannot work in most sectors. In 1961, the first elementary schools for girls were opened in Saudi Arabia by King Saud, ushering in an age of hope that women would be educated, work and enjoy equal status. Fifty years later, that promise is yet to be realized.
I lived in Saudi Arabia in 2005, when King Abdullah had recently taken the throne. He regularly spoke about the need to bring about full human rights in a country that treats six million foreigners as modern-day slaves, refuses Christians and Jews places of worship, and subjects its own women to second-class status. The king’s speeches gained coverage in the western media. But where it mattered, in Friday prayer gatherings inside the country, conservative clerics would undermine the king’s commitment among the population.
In a city as liberal as Jeddah, I regularly heard Friday sermons at vast gatherings where the preacher complained that human rights were, essentially, rights for homosexuals. In a country with a vibrant underground gay community, that accusation was serious for discrediting the king’s agenda among a wider conservative population. Six years later, human rights violations in Saudi Arabia remain daily occurrences (today’s court verdict is a case in point).
Read: Pakistan is indispensable to the U.S.
Based on that track record, such promises of voting in four years’ time carry little weight. If the king were serious, the change could be made much, much sooner. Moreover, how can women stand in municipal elections and campaign when it remains illegal for Saudi women to display their faces in public? Under strict Wahhabist rules, they must cover their faces in public. The nominal participation of women in elections is a cosmetic change when Saudi women are still segregated in public from men, cannot travel without male chaperones inside or outside of the country, cannot inherit at an equal rate to men, are not allowed to drive, and remain forbidden from pursuing most occupations.
Voting rights must come within a fuller and more urgent package of reform in Saudi Arabia. Changing Saudi male and clerical attitudes towards women helps the kingdom shift its approach towards scripture from literalism and rigidity to pluralism, depth, and context. This shift not only helps advance the status of Saudi women and therefore Saudi Arabia’s standing in the modern world, but it will also help heal the country’s many other ailments, including intolerance and extremism.
The views expressed in this article are solely those of Ed Husain.
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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I am sick and tired of CNN putting links to other news articles within the text of articles, even more when the linked articles aren't even relevant. What the heck does "Read: Pakistan is indispensable to the U.S." have to do with Saudi women rights? Links to other relevant articles belong at the end of the article.
Yes!!
R U serious?
May I suggest you just skip over the few words in such references ?
You are under no obligation to click on these links, so you don't need to go to hospital for this sickness either.
Please get back to the point of the article. Noone else in complaining about links. If you want to complain about something, complain about why CNN gave the job of reporting this to someone who has never been to Saudia... (look at this picture, meant to re-enforce the idea of the poor little picked on woman). someone at the bottom recalled being in SAudi and seeing many woman with faces uncovered, so it's not a law to cover your face. Women in Saudia, traditionally have done this, and not other Muslim women. It's a cultural thing, largely. Next, send someone who will actually interview a WOMAN IN SAUDIA for the article, instead of repeating anti-Islamic, anti-Middle Eastern stupidity we've all heard for years and years now... that try to make us as Westerners forget about our sick society full of paedophiles, full of women who are beaten and killed by men EVERY DAY in this country. I will worry about Saudi women, when AMERICAN women are safe–and that includes Muslims, who walk down the street with a scarf on ! They risk being attacked and some of them were born in this country! Shame on you CNN. Just keep propogating the m y t h that we are b etter than them.
look at all these dummies who are telling you to "skip" over the links if they bother you yet they themselves couldnt manage to skip past your forum comment LMFAO... people are stupid
We are better, kris...cut and dried!
Very nice that you married an Algerian, but Algeria is not Saudi (though I do remember that famous Algerian woman runner receiving death threats a few years ago. Not even Jesse Owenes and Wilma Rudolph weren't allowed to practice) I've travelled in several Muslim countries, but not to Saudi (impossible to receive a Visa) but my sister and brother-in-law lived there for years. There is no comparison whatsoever. It is not just modesty; is is a complete subjugation of woemn.
Another sad apologist for the religiously based Saudi social construct that says life is for me and not for you. Too bad you were born a women. Better luck next time.
Well Kris, as it turned out, I lived in Saudi Arabia for 9 years - my father worked for Aramco. There is a huge difference between the small percentage of pedophiles and wife beaters in the US (and other western countries) - criminals committing crimes for which they are imprisoned - and the huge percentage of pedophiles, wife beaters, and systematic rights violations that are perpetuated with full endorsement from the laws and government of Saudi Arabia. Excusing their patriots by pointing at our criminals is not just dishonest, it's retarded.
Well it is better late than never. Keep on moving forward Saudi Arabia. May the winds of Rub Al Khali be on your backs. God Willing (Inshallah)
It's not never too late! I hope they will achieve more in due course. Indeed women are the only ones who made themselves heard in their campaign behind the wheels. Unless they are well-off, married women have to work. They can't afford a chauffeur or a minder to accompany them. Taking a taxi will be too costly.
If its their culture what the big deal? " oh thats right equals" never gonna happen there so women shouild be happy not having to work the the U.S and other countries, if ya ask me working for the man sux , live long and proper saudi women enjoy not working : )))
It hasn't even happened yet. He promised it will happen in 4 years only because he probably thinks he will not be around to deal with the consequences.
The king is walking on a tight rope, pacifying the clerics on the one hand and reaching out to the women on the other.
The Clerics? It's so weird that a government and people have to bend to the stupid beliefs of Clerics. Wait, isn't that what's happening in the states now? I say get rid of them all and that includes pastors, priest and the pope. Take all of the money and property they posses and then give it to the poor.
Saudi Arabia is light years behind even other Muslim countries. It is tough for reform to take place there. Pakistan is much better until now. With militancy, I don't know anymore.
I agree 100% with your comment! As a woman (and Muslim) let's look back to how long it took American women to get the right to vote. And what about black slaves... how long after they were "free" were they allowed to drink from the same water fountain as whites–let alone VOTE.
Yes, but even when western women couldn't vote, they weren't treated like second class citizens. They could still walk in public without a male guardian. Their voices weren't considered half of a mans's. As far as the blacks go, 300,000
white soldiers are in the ground who fought for their freedom. In Arabic the word "Abeed" is synonomous with "black" and "slave". There's really no comparison.
We are in the 21st century. Go get a life.
I don't know what YOU think about hypocrites, but I personally cannot tolerate them. WE need to be so culturally sensitive in the US, but when it comes to chiding others about their customs, it seems to be open season.
Yes, this is a sad story. Too bad women are second class citizens in Islamic countries. At this rate slavery will be outlawed there in the year 4,000 A.D.
But why has CNN failed to report on the Christian Pastor in Iran who is scheduled to be executed for being a Christian? Why no mention of the rights of non-Muslims in the middle east? This is such a hostile area to anthing other than Islam. Your silence makes you complicent in their crimes.
TY. I will research this now at my computer.
I get more info/leads from the posters than the journalists.
Then they come here to the US and are so brainwashed they still wont take off the sheets! I had a 1/2 hour argument with one who wouldn't take off the head towels to get a drivers lic picture. I asked if she intended to drive like that and she said yes!! Needless to say I took my break let someone else be responsible for issuing her a Lic! My thought is if you wont join the culture of your new country then just stay home!
agreed, why can you wear those to drive? they obstruct vision. Why are we so PC that we will bend over backwards for a people whom hate us.
... Bingo, Amen... you are 100% right.
Richard, would you ask a Jew to take off his Yamaka (his cap)? I know you say it obstructs vision, and that's a fair point... Perhaps you could just say... you know... In this country, a lot of Muslim women do not veil.. they were a hijab. That would have gone a long way towards t elling her that you respect freedom of religion without making her angry enough to keep it on forever. Your statements about a "towel" are just mean and provacative. And YOUR country may be HERS too, silly! If she was born here... I have lived all over the world and I remember moving to FRance and people getting mad at my husband and I the first week, because we didn't know fRench... I know, I know..INTEGRATE. Gosh, have you ever tried it? if you haven't, could you do the rest of the world a favour and sit down and shut up?
The Saud family and their conservative circle can violate all the human rights they can, as long as they keep the oil flowing to the U.S. God forbid, if this same thing happened elsewhere, we will go to war to liberate that country. Just like we did in Iraq( wink,wink), which was a more advance and open society. In other words, don't abuse the people unless you can pay for it, or do what we tell you. That is how the U.S. rolls.
I couldn't have said it better myself. I feel bad, but I don't read these stories very often because they downright HAUNT ME long after I've read them. What reason is there for living if you are only going to be punished for any action or thought that these paranoid leaders deem a "crime"? This "royal" family is soo afraid of giving people any kind of rights because it may take away some of their God-like power or Fort Knox-like fortunes. They hide behind a religion to get away with TORTURE. I'm not saying it is our place to help the powerless in that country, but it makes me ill that we are the ones making them rich beyond anyone's dreams. They send their kids, strike that, SONS to our country for the best schooling that us regular folks can't afford...when I think of Saudi Arabia, the country that bore the 9/11 terrorists, I am a very unhappy American!
15 of the 19 terrorist who operated the 9/11 attack were Saudi Arabians. That country is ruled by a tyrannical family. where women are treated no better than slaves. Yet Saudi Arabia is our Ally . Yes folks, our politicians and our Pres. accept the Saudi's as our ally. I mean how low can the USA go, when it comes to hypocrisy and greed.
Remember the Saudi's sit on an ocean of oil we need . And they spend $ billions on military hardware (guns and bullets) we manufacture here in the US.
Yet we attack Vietnam. Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya, and threaten Iran.
While our national debt is $14 trillion and we borrow money from Communist China to support wars.
Yep folks HYPOCRISY and GREED and Arrogance now rule the USA my country. Sad Sad Sad.
"Yep folks HYPOCRISY and GREED and Arrogance now rule the USA my country."
It always did, Capt. Naive.
how did our oil get under their sand, anyway?
Well, Dan the Red, WE are the ones who discovered the oil. If it wasn't for the Americans, they wouldn't have any oil to produce! They were not doin' so well as a nation until we came along and gave them the golden ticket!
An accident of geology! The Saudis asked the US and the UK to help find them water. We found oil instead. What ensued was the biggist transfer of wealth in the history of man. The Saudis couldn't find it, couldn't pump it and couldn't refine it. They still can't and it's an embarassment to them that they have to rely on the infidel to help. But they love the easy $ that they never earned or deserved. Answer your question, doofus?
SA, the perfect partner for USA to keep peace in the ME and introduce democracy like they did so successfully in Irak where christians are now persecuted and there is general chaos.
I agree 100% except 1 tiny point. Let's not ever mix this point up. Slaves in America were not treated better than Saudi Women, I don't think. Have you been to Saudia? Go there first... they have lives... they have much much better lives than American Slaves EVER had. BUT, your other points are 100%% if not 200% on the money. (no pun intended).
Kris, there is no exaggerating and misinterpreting laws that sentence women to be lashed for driving, and laws which are clearly misogynistic in nature. No, things are not perfect for women here in the US either. But at least I can go out and drive myself to get a job in any area I choose so that I can support myself and not have to rely on anyone else to do that. In not allowing women to pursue many occupations, the government there is preventing women from being independent. It is forcing them to rely on men who may or may not choose to treat them like absolute crap, and if they do choose to treat their women like crap, it is pretty much backed by the government there!
The point is that ALL countries – the US included – needs to do better for women. We need to make the standards higher. And stick to them.
Well its double sad for you americans when your whole congress and president bow down to AIPAC, and zionist shadow bankers... but anyway.. u really believe that 9/11 are by those arabs? have u ever heard abt deceit plot/planning... do you know which race or country in this world are good at it? in which their holy book mention its not ok to deceit your own race.. but its ok to deceit those gentiles... wow all of us whom are not that race are called gentiles... and we are to be their slave.. of cos they will not said that openly.. but who control america actually?
Wow, Mecha... I know you've been told that about America... As someone who is married to a Muslim... I wish I could say you were right, but the control of Jews over America is just a sad mistake you make, really... It's not got a bit of truth. True.. There are several wealthy, powerful Jews who have businesses in America (Hollywood, banks on Wall STreet)... but Christianity is in the majority in this country, and there are only slightly more Jews than Muslims in America. They have powerful lobbies, but they don't rule AMerica. Obama is President, and even he has been accused of being Muslim (he's Christian). Please don't insult Jews, brother. It does nothing to help non-Muslims understand us. Defend your faith–as it is as misunderstood, arguably, in America, as Judaism was in Nazi Germany... but never talk badly about Jews. When you turn your back... the same who agree with you will insult Islam, friend.
What and why would Saudi women need to be in the mall anyway? Or better yet what women stuff are the mall selling, black sheet, black sheet and black sheet that's it. Anything else are for tourist and none Muslims only.
Ummm . . . they're not going commando under their black robes. They wear regular clothing, and even makeup. They are not required to wear their head-to-toe coverings inside their own homes. And malls sell more than clothing, don't they? Think it through next time.
I'm quite certain that the men don't shop..that sounds like it would be a "woman's" job to spend a bunch of money on things for their Master.
and when I say I'm quite certain, of course I have no idea
When I read stories like these, I wonder what we ( as a human race ) would look like to an alien civilization. How silly, disorganized, confused, and afraid we are... and in conclusion, when will we rid ourselves of the plagues of Religion? All Religion is evil. ALL OF IT.
I think the second one from the left is hot !
I dont like her shoes, the 4th one from the left has possibilities, the second to the right of the mother and, kid who seems to be rebeling! lol
Somewhere, pedobear is looking at this pic and seeing only one person without a headpiece.
So CNN says that "The views expressed in this article are solely those of Ed Husain.", hum? Is CNN saying that they don't agree with those views? And if they do agree with the views, why the disclaimer?
Because they don't want their CNN offices bombed by our "ally"...DUH
Hey, they all look the same with the lights off.
So if I go to Saudi Arabia, I would have to abide by these rules.... OK.... then no niqabs in my country. Fair is fair.
Well France agrees with you, so do I. If I move there I'll do it their way. It's only reasonable to ask the same.
With all due respect, if your country is America... Americans have a tradition of accepting other people's religions (that includes Amish, Mormons, Hindus, Buddists, Muslims, JEWS)... I prefer OUR tradition to France's... I lived in France for 3 years, and the French hate anyone who isn't French, it seems. That they don't respect Muslims and try to force them to remove religious clothing is not shocking... They once imprisoned JEWS and led the to death camps... though there were pockets of "resistance" fighters... France has a history of racism and condemnation of all NOT catholic. I would not respect their new laws. In fact, did you know the Jewish cap-(yamaka) is banned too? GET REAL. NO NAZIs in AMERICA.... OUT NAZI sympas! OUT. YOU are the ones who don't belong here, LOL.
Hmmm, Nazi's! It's so easy, isn't it Kris.
But the Jews in Europe were doctors, scientists, artists, musicians. They had a slowly growing community and were persecuted for their success. Whereas the muslims in europe today, if they are not on public assistance can't seem to get any further than fruit vending. They multiply like rats and won't assimilate in the societies that support them.
Get out!
Let's see, how many mosques are in America and how many churches are in Saudi Arabia?
Now it's time for them to get out of their ridiculous grim reaper outfits and into something a little more feminine!
the U.S. keep pushing others to live in democracy and freedom. Take China and India (almost half the earth population) U.S. pushed them toward freedom and democracy....and now we complain of pollution, climate change, overpopulation and lack of Jobs in America (because they all went to China).. What do you expect when 3 billion people want to ride SUVs, live in large homes, eat gourmet foods, and have as many kids as they wish. The U.S. is better off minding its own business and leave others alone before they destroy this earth -yet it may be too late..
Americans be cautious especially women, a muslims goal and islam is to take over the world and convert everyone by force to become a muslim. women that means sharing your man with three other women making the man insensitive to you and your needs, no movies, no school for girls, no inheritance for girls, stoned to death for talking to a non male family member in other words more like socialism. This islam religion is a cult with a lot of brainwashed sheep. Thank God for America, for free trade, etc.... We are literally protecting our freedom, just think about it and read between the lines when dealing with muslims and their religion.
I agree with most of what your saying...except the 'its like socialism" part. Do you even understand the basic definition and realize that there are many different types? Quit listening to FOX...its robbing you of your intelligence. Think for yourself and do real research.
Dear Midwestgrl... I am a Midwest Girl from Wyoming... Just wanted you to know the truth here. I travelled to London on business many years ago and met my husband, who is Muslim. He is from Algeria. Truth is, I've visited many Muslim countries now, and I've always met warm people. I do not and never will–even though I was raised Christian, tell anyone that Muslim women cowtow to husbands... it's largely the other way around, nearly as I can tell. I will also never tell anyone that Muslims goal is to take over the world. Hitler used to say that about Jews... Funny thing, when everyone begins to say the same thing, it becomes fact, even if it is far from the truth. Islam has a set of laws that in many ways, resemble Old Jewish Law. If you find a conservative Jew, he will have some of the same rules (women wear a scarf over their head, but tie it in back and don't sit where their husbands sit in the Synagogue). Let's be careful what we attribute to Muslims... fanatical people like Bin Laden are like the David Koresh's of Christianity or the Warren Jeffs of Mormonism...strange and not representative of the masses.
Sorry but i dont watch Fox news....at all. Common themes of islam do resemble socialism which they call islalm. Now the Jews were to be a light for other nations to follow. but the muslims reject the sarah as the one to give birth to the "anointed". Now Christians and Jews both agree with Sarah and not hagar thats where the whole problems starts. And both the Jews and muslims reject Jesus as the savior. How can this be fixed?
That filthy cult called Islam has nothing to do with socialism. Even at its lethal wackiest under the Nazis, socialism was never this deranged.
CNN pretty much sucks
Yours is the only comment worth reading. CNN definitely doe suck.
OK I get it now. There are Muslims working behind the scenes at CNN.com. Took awhile but I finally figured it out. Or censors who are Muslim sympathizers.
Chickens.
The only thing keeping Saudi in it's position is US interest in oil. The major factor holding it back is that it treats the majority of its people likes slaves. Why wouldn't you want to educate more people, have more citizens become doctors, lawyers, scientists, professors? Saudi not allowing women to be full citizens is like a starving person staring at a plate of food and saying, no, I'm only going to eat a little bit b/c the other 1/2 isn't good enough, even though it could save my life.
Look at the picture, they're self-enslaved. They do it to themselves. What a culture.
If Saudis dont do it, you make a fuss.... if they do, you still lament that its late...seriously? can you stop complaining? for once?
I think this writer never been to Saudi Arabia. He says "they must cover their faces in public", but my wife and I have travel to Saudi Arabia 2 times and my wife have never covered her face and nobody said anything anywhere. Not only that I have seen many women without covering their face over their.
I agree with the writer about human right issue and treating women as second-class.
Whereas media propaganda, it happens everywhere even in US. Just take this article for example.
Now you're talking! Someone who has BEEN to Saudia. I wish you had written the article. Jeez.. .Please CNN, stop trying to sell newspapers off of things you know nothing about! The "poor" little Saudi women don't need your bloody help.
Jews have no power in the United States? Really. Go tell AIPAC that! You are either delusional, stupid or DECEPTION is your middle name! Eventually, the sheeple Will Wake Up.
I find it HILARIOUS that Muslim men feel so threatened by women. What weenies.
You idiots. We should be applauding a forward move, in the hope it promotes more!
I disagree 100% Ed. As a woman, whose family is Muslim, I say it's HIGH TIME something happened. YOu fail to point out the vast differences, say, between a Muslim country, like Tunisia (where women drive and do not have to wear any religious clothing) and Saudia... but nevermind. No change in any country has taken place FAST. Let me ask you a question. How long did it take for black slaves, who were "freed" to get to vote and use the same toilets, water fountains and restaurants as all the others?
Did you really say no change has happened this fast? Well I think you are forgetting the Saudi area has been muslims for over 1300 years. Are you saying America took more time than that to give equality to all? Laughable at best considering our country is barely over 200 years old and Europeans had not had slaves since the Roman Empire (all those slaves were white btw...mostly Gauls (Germanic, who made up 80% of their slave force).
If 1300 years to vote is fast to you then I look forward to Saudi women being able to uncover in public and run for office and not be lashed for leaving the house alone in maybe 3800 AD. Ok have fun til then!
Why be so negative? HOw long did it take blacks, in your country, to get the right to vote, AFTER they were freed? As an American, with many relatives in Muslim countries (from my husband's side) I can honestly say, this is really sad to see some of your comments about these women... making fun of them, basically using them as joke fodder. Listen, my advice, go to a country like this and see for yourselves. I went many times and found Muslims from all backgrounds to be good hearted. No, it's not America... but hey, Muslim women are making changes that are good, honest and just. Hats off to them (but keep your veil on, sister)... lol... you are strong with or without it.
Now change is coming and now it has to. They better be ahead of the curve on this wave. No kidding, you can't disrupt the natural world this much and not pay hell for it,
Go to a Muslim country and I suggest meeting a few Muslims here in America, before you feel "sad." I was raised Christian, right here in America, and I value religion, above all. But I had this one WAY wrong. The problem I had is that I listened to "everyone else" tell me how it was in this country or that country. I've not lived in 3 countries, and travelled to many Muslim countries. Luckily, when I went to Algeria for the first time, I stayed with my husbands family. Between the sisters falling over me to make me feel welcome and the b rothers offering to let me "drive" (they knew I had a license..) I will never forget thinking... how.. how sad these women don't drive... There's no law against it in Algeria. With my slightly predjudiced hat, I thought to myself, poor women... they men wont' let them drive. Then I learned the truth... most MEN don't have DRIVER's LICs either! lOL. It's not a law for women not to drive, but I jumped to conclusions. Please just GO first to a place, meet locals and don't just mix with your own tired group, and THEN TALK.
Exactly!
Moderator... I know my comments aren't to your liking, but could you please ensure they are posted where I replied and not at the BOTTOM! Thanks. It's still about free speech, no?
Take a snapshot of a busy street in NYC and compare it with a majior city in Saudi Arabia, when you cant tell the difference in the womens dress, then I will admit there is REAL change in the muslim world. Until then, FORGET IT!
Compassion, wisdom, courage, intelligence, and honesty are some of the real qualities of true leaders. But most countries still live by the "Golden Rule", and that is "He who has the gold, makes the rules". And don't believe for a second it's much different in countries that wave a flag of democracy where the elected are merely a facade for the ruling wealthy. A nation can only hope that the qualities of true leadership will someday become inherent in the wealthy that rule it. And yes, that may sound a little far fetched, but even in the USA, many of the ultra wealthy are showing signs of true leadership by either confronting government policies openly, or by channeling their wealth back to the people directly. ie. see George Soros campaign to keep George W. Bush out of office, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to mention a few.
I'm sick of CNN allowing misinformation to be posted on their site! My husband is Saudi, he grew up there, and while he does not agree with some of their politics or theology (he no longer practices Islam), I think he has accurate info on this subject. Namely that women in Saudia CAN vote and are allowed to be on the municipal councils (there is one in Jeddah if not currently then in the recent past)! My sister-in-law (still a practicing Muslim) doesn't even want to drive. Why would she when she has a private driver to navigate the crazy streets for her? I am very much an advocate for women's rights but in this case the mark is slightly off. I think there are lots of things that must be changed in Saudi Arabia but at least get your facts straight!
Take off your burqa. If your SIL doen't want to drive, good for her. What about all the women who want to? Offcourse, your husband being a Saudi must have peppered your ears with all the good things you would like to hear. If you have a daughter, let's see how he brings her up and let's see if he would allow her to marry a non muslim if she wants to.
50% of the population are woman! Why don't they stand up to their husbands/brothers? Where are all the feminists of the world? How sad for those people, no future for half the population, living like it is 2000 BC.
Having lived in Jeddah for some time I applaud these women for their courageous stand. This is what a real "grass roots" movement is all about. I wish them success in their efforts as it could have a very profound effect on the future of Saudi Arabia. They are facing danger bravely in an effort to secure basic rights. I hope that the government will react differently to this movement than it has to similar movements in the past. Perhaps this time it will be different because the whole world is watching. Administering the lash to women on Fridays in the public square will not sit well with most of us and the Saudi regime will face sound condemnation if it goes down that path.
Seems to be a bit inconsistent to require women to be covered to avoid having them be displayed to others then punish them publically by lashing in front of others....
I bet you if the oil ever dried up in any of these Arab nations, people (especially Amerians) would stop caring about what happens there. just my $.02
thats Americans...typo..my bad. Don't criticize me for bad spelling since i know thats what everyone does on here.
Well I can agree with not letting them drive..... Everything else is crazy though.
Saudi Arabia is the biggest socialist (islamic) country standing today......or maybe China.
For many people, when they think of Muslim dress, they think of the headscarf. Or, hijab, as it’s come to be known. There is some debate in the Muslim world over whether or not the headscarf is required of women – but what is required by the Qur’an is that both men and women dress modestly. That they not draw unwanted attention to themselves and that they set themselves apart from others in the way they dress.
Women's dress in Islamic culture is based on a principle of female modesty. Customs of the time, place, and social class of the woman influence what she might wear. Some options include hijab - or modest, loose clothing and a scarf over the head and under the chin - and burqa or burka, a more complete covering of the head, face and body. Virgin Mary Peace upon her, wore a form of Hijab or modest clothing. Nuns still do it now days.
The only verse in the Quran that refers to women's Hijab is a reference to pull their cloaks that is around and over their heads to cover their exposing and private body parts.
“O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them (when they go abroad). That will be better, so that they may be recognized and not annoyed. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.” (Quran 33:59)
For women – that has often come down to the headscarf, but that’s only the most visible manifestation of this requirement to dress modestly.
Men, too, must dress modestly. Although, again, what that means is often defined culturally –
"O' Prophet tell your WIVES.....and the women of believers.....". Why are women on non believers forced to wear a sack in Saudi? And if the women don't want to wear a sack? What does Allah have to say about that? Beat them up?
Don't try to justify the treatment of women in Saudi.
Comparing societies! That's ridiculous! Pack up and move to Arab countries!
It is a sad commentary on our world today to see such a pathetic sight, where a country treats half its citizens as sub humans for being of the other gender. We of the civilized world should be horrified.
and this is one of america greatest ally??? the irony is america pretends to defend democracy and freedom but will be ready to sacrify it for oil and turn blind eye to the evil of this so call kingdom...they are trying to bring those changes cus they know, the saoud winter, spring whatever is next....this regime will fall one day...
Agreed. When their oil is gone, so is all their money, power, influence and defense from powerful nations.
Please remember, not all Muslims are Saudis. And not all Saudis are crazy.
Can you imagine trying to verify someone's ID using a drivers' license photo? They'd all be practically identical.
That's why they are not allowed to drive.
The 12th century is alive and well in Saudi Arabia.
Pitiful.
.
It's the 7th century. Not the 12th
God help them now.
Cultural relativism be damned! Saudi Arabia sounds like a hellhole. When women are treated equally, that is when their country will be worth visiting.
I have a simple question. If and when Saudi women are allow to drive, how are they going to take their driver license pictures? Just wondering...
There have been first hand accounts of women in the military during H.W. Bush inspired squirmish against Hussein having to keep out of sight of saudi men – because their dress was considered a perversion to Allah. It was a big deal – women sent there to stop Saddam from absconding their country and resources and the Kuwaitis and the Saudis telling the US military to keep US women in sequestered camps and US women in their military garb were never to approach a Saudi or Kuwaiti man.
This is just smoke and mirrors from the Saudi King probly hired an expensive advertising firm from madison ave The Saudi king has said that woman in his country will be allowed to vote and run for office to under their law a woman is only worth 1/2 of what a man is worth so her vote will be meaningless anyways
This is a very well written artcle
KaleMiami, You talk about islamic dress being for modestly and provide 33.59 to support your claims. 33.59 does not talk of modesty. Read it again. It asks a muslim woman to cover herself so that she is recognized and left alone. That sounds to me like segregation – Mark a person and keep them seperate. Basically this verse is a half baked instruction that does not address the main problem of abuse, There is no verse that tells the men to stop annoying and abusing the women.
There are plenty of Americans who lived in the kingdom for decades.. and American women who actually talk to Saudi women... like the fabulous ladies of the Al Nadha Society.
I am NOT impressed with Ed Hussain.
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We may not have long to wait to see it happen UNLESS the Saudia Kingdom allows more freedom to its people. They should understand that the only way for their Kingdom to survive the 21st century is by becoming a democratic society. The days of the Sheiks are numbered. The domino effect of the Arab Spring will reach Saudi Arabia soon rather never.
"Can women in Saudi Arabia run for office in this Thursday’s municipal elections? No. Can they vote? No."
And god bless them for it.
Thats why the murikans hate the Muslims, because they dont let their women walk all over them and treat them like chumps.
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