The strict Islamic laws restricting movement of women, takes preposterous dimension in Saudi Arabia where men and women are treated in a manner as if they are two different species. Shrouded in dark colored abayas or traditional Saudi attires for women covering the head and extending to the tow, Saudi women move about the street like living ghosts. Forbidden to move outside their girls’ only circle, interacting with a non-relative male is blasphemous in Saudi Arabia.
Even while interacting with male relatives, women do not have the liberty to talk even to their male first cousins without covering their faces. Marriages in the country are arranged by the male members of the family and the girl is allowed to see her fiancé only on the engagement day under the strict supervision of her family members. While women are not allowed to drive cars, they can move only in cars with tinted windows. They attend girls-only schools, colleges and university departments. There are woman-only gyms, boutiques, travel agencies and even shopping malls. Women can eat only in family sections of restaurants and cafeteria covered in their abayas.
Despite of strict social norms, rebellious behaviors are rising in the Saudi society where women fed up with centuries old restriction are trying in what ever little way it is possible to break away from social stranglehold. Not only are clandestine love affairs between young girls and boys proliferating but also it is also not difficult to come across lesbian relations in the Saudi society. Internet and mobile phones are aiding in relations that are considered taboo. Whether new technology could help in evolving more practicality in the Saudi Arabian society remains to be seen.
Via:IHT
Comments
Asalaamu Alykum wa Rahmatullah,
I just wanted to comment that the religious retrictions in Saudi Arabia shouldn’t be criticized so much. In comparison with the overly promiscuous and unsafe behavior found among teens and young men and women in the United States, or any other western country, I believe Islamic teachings should be followed as it is in Saudia Arabia in regards to men and women. It is the fault of the person who are doing things that are haram such as described in this article because they might feel repressed, when in fact they should take a second look at their actions and see if its worth the displeasure of Allah and his will, rather for their own pleasure and immature actions.
Islam is too rigid and it is not being practical. I think there is no such thing as kindness, tolerance, equality, patience, respecting womanhood etc., in Islam. I may be wrong, but it is the perceived impression about Islam.
Religious teachings are meant to equip ourselves to succeed in the changing times. It is meant to better our lives ultimately. But Islam enforces blind faith that are centuries old and refuses to accept change.
No other religion suppresses women the way islam does. It is very pathetic. As the author rightly pointed out, islam treats women and men as two different species, whereas they both are equal before god.
I particularly liked the line ”Saudi women move about the street like living ghosts”... which truly reflects the state of saudi woman clad in traditional outfits (burkah?)
It is natural that women will turn rebellious and try to break away from religious and social compulsions.
Islam is not to ridged or harsh. As a matter o fact islam is one of the easiest religions!!! It is forgiving, understanding and kind. I am american and converted to islam, my husband is muslim and never pushed me to convert and even when I did he questioned my intentions making sure it was for the right reasons, he never obligated me to wear abayas or hijab (head scarf) I do so because I want to honor allah, myself and my husband. Covering ourselfs is asked of us to preserve our modesty and integerity not to opress us. Again I think that this is a combination of culture and religion and every muslim should not be judged because of this.
However, if you were in Saudi Arabia you would be forced to be veiled by law and would not have the choice whether or not to wear one. I definitely agree that muslims should not be judged for their choice, but they should be given one. Living in an American society which is democratic people are given choices and that applies to religion.
It only becomes oppression when the women of Saudi Arabia feel oppressed. It might be an entirely different perspective from their end.
However, if they do think themselves as victims of gender bias, and they can’t speak up and speak out about how they feel, then oppression takes a new light.
Islam is the most natural religion. It teaches us how to live as human beings in this world, not as animals. Read the Quran for yourself if you doubt, don’t judge the book by its cover. Many so called muslims, they themselves don’t wish to follow the Quran, because essentially they don’t want to follow any rules. In Saudi they cry outloud wanting to get rid of the strict rules, while in western countries, women cry outloud wanting to be respected by men, wanting men to look at them as a person when they wearing a piece of strings to cover their boobs and a handkerchief to cover their below region. Islam doesn’t condone both of these extremes, the key in Islam is modesty.
Women are meant to cover, so they won’t be a source of jealousy to other women, nor a source of gaze for men. When muslim women cover themselves to the extreme (and move about like living ghosts ?), true this cause hardships for them. Can you imagine being the only child, female, single and have no father, and live in Saudi ? What can you do for yourself ? Islam actually gives rights to this person to move about freely and safely to live her life. In Saudi, they guard women so strictly that they took away their rights. And it’s only natural for those who lost their freedom, to fight back. I wish though that they fight and at the same time keep themselves on the right path.
I am an new revert to Islam and I started wearing hijab the day I took my Shahada. I have noticed a big change on how people look at me. Before I was wearing tight fitting skimpy clothing and I almost always showed some cleavage. I couldn’t understand why men couldn’t hold a deceint conversation with me.
Now that I am covered, I can see clearly how wrong it was to expose myself like I did. I do see some people, men and women, do a double take when they see me. But all-in-all I have noticed that when I carry a conversation on with a man, he is listening to me and spending less time looking at my body.
This has shown me, that even if I weren’t Muslim, I would still practice modesty. It really is liberating.
As far as the strictness in Saudi Arabia, I am glad that I am in America because this allows me to gradually learn and accept the Muslim ways.
To be honest I don’t know if I could ever accept the strict interpetion that the Saudi’s have of the Quran.
Zahrah