Different Views on Women in Saudi Arabia
June 12th, 2007Dear readers,
I have made a collection of different thoughts and ideas about women in Saudi Arabia from both women and men, I have collected these views from different articles and news papers in the last five years, I hope you will find them as interesting as I have.
all the best
Rasha
Al Fayez, a journalist, is among the Saudi women who are starting to speak out. The Koran, she says, guarantees women equal rights and contains no ban on women working.”We are an Islamic society in which men and women are segregated. How can men plan for women when they don’t know what’s happening in the women’s sector? “We must open positions and create jobs for women. The woman power in the kingdom is very high but we are not using it.(2002)
“Some say women are in our hearts and minds — any time we think of an issue we always think of women,” said Almubarak of the Shura Council, whose wife is a professor at a women’s university. “I think that’s not enough. . . . I personally would like to see more participation of women at all levels of government. More participation will bring better balance, and the more they participate the more they will create opportunities for other women.”(2002)
“The Muslim woman should realize that she is a target for corruption,” said al-Habdan in a booklet on why women should not go to fitness clubs.
“There is no faster way to corrupt nations than the emancipation of women” that is getting her out on the street to entice men and ruin their morals,” he added.
“Why was I born a girl? This is a country of men and I would like to be one!” A 13 year old girl is already sizing up the vast frustrations she will experience as a Saudi woman.(2003)
“When we change the status of women, we will have solved half of this country’s problems,” one businessman says, “and it is by means of public rights that private rights will be acquired. Recognizing a woman’s right to different types of employment will be the first step toward the recognition of other rights.”
The university professor and editorialist Suleiman al-Hattlan wrote in an article published in the daily Al-Watan 2003
As for women, “the terrible injustice that has been done to them in our society, the relegation of their humanity and their national pride behind the bars of taboo and suspicion, are nothing else,” he thunders, “than an injustice that we have committed against ourselves. Is it not shameful that all of us, in spite of our multiple paths as thinkers and our varied social experiences, have become products of the same mold, without color, odor, or flavor? How has our vision of woman been taken hostage by a handful of pre-Islamic fanatics?”
Dr. Saleh al-Sheikh, the minister for Islamic affairs in Saudi Arabia, says a combination of factors determines a Saudi woman’s obligations — the most important of which is raising a family.
“The circumstance of women here in Saudi Arabia is a mix of tribal, social, and historical circumstances. And there is religion, too,” says al-Sheikh.
“I believe in equal right for everyone according to their circumstances,” says al-Sheikh. “Women do have rights, but they are based on our view of their obligations in life.” (2005)
“Saudi Arabia is a country in transition. This country needs its time to find its footing,” says Prince Sultan bin Salman, a member of the Saudi royal family. He’s concerned about the consequences of the changes being discussed in Saudi Arabia.
“This has always been a government or a country of consensus. We have a consensus system here that works. It has served us well for three hundred years. Kept the stability,” says bin Salman. “That’s the most important thing. It’s not important to have elections. It’s important to have stability.” (2005)
Amal al-Hazzaa, a molecular biologist and one of the country’s leading cancer researchers. Raised in Tucson, Ariz., until the seventh grade, she returned to Saudi Arabia “I have never felt barred from getting where I want to be,” she says.
But she acknowledges her success wouldn’t have been possible without a father and husband who have supported her every step of the way. (2007)
“A religious preacher incited fathers, brothers and husbands against their daughters, sisters and wives, saying that a girl who is not beaten from an early age grows up to be a rebellious woman, difficult to control… He [also] said that a woman who leaves her home without a veil is like [a woman] who goes out naked. He warned the Muslim women against wearing their abayas [a long gown], saying that this was the main reason that women are seduced and fall [into sin]… (2007)
“We have to force some conservatives to give up most of their opinion but it does not mean we have to demolish all boundaries,” says Mohsen al-Awaji, an Islamist activist. “We have our understanding of women’s role in society. Of course, it is not the way a woman is enjoying rights in our society now, but it is also not the way to adopt from this society or that,” Although he considers himself on the moderate side of the argument within the conservative community, his vision of what could be allowed for women might fall way short of what many Saudi women would be willing to accept.
He says he would agree to let Saudi women have their own national identification card, vote, and just maybe let them drive. But he is adamantly against women working side by side with men, loosening or removing the ‘abaya’, or letting them travel without the consent of a male guardian. (2004)
In family law, women’s problems stem from “traditions that are simply local customs rather than real Islam,” according to family physician Maha Alatta. “Divorce and domestic violence are particular problems.” (2006)
Nadia El-Azza, a US-educated engineer at the national oil company Saudi Aramco, says “my friends in the US remind me that women have problems there too. But at least they have a parliament where women can take part.”(2006)
Sleiman Al-Sleiman, women’s rights activist: “We hope an immediate decision will be made allowing women to drive. This is not a luxury. Women in Saudi Arabia really need to drive cars, because women have begun to work. Beforehand, there was no justification for women driving cars, but women have begun going to work, to their jobs, their shops, to the market. We are living in modern cities. Our demand to allow women to drive is a pressing and natural demand. It is a woman’s natural right to drive a car. Women will respect the Islamic moral values when they drive, Allah willing.”(2007)
Wajeha Al-Huwaidar, women’s rights activist: “Saudi society is based on masters and slaves, or, to be more precise, masters and maids, because the masters are the men, and the slaves are the women.” (2007)
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The 300 years of “stability” is tarting to shake a little. Prince Sultan bin Salman should be a little more worried about the future of his country. Because we are now in a world where more people travel than ever before. People exchange ideas. People in one country discover that there is another way to live. Other possibilities. Communication is exposing the injustices of the world. In real time. Now the women of Saudi Arabia are starting to awaken to a new possibility where they are no longer need to remain under the thumbs of men. They are equals. And they will no longer need to put up with bullsh$t such as this:
“There is no faster way to corrupt nations than the emancipation of women — that is getting her out on the street to entice men and ruin their morals”
Good grief!
Good article. The following quotes may sound funny, I believe its true some what.
A foolish man tells a woman to stop talking, but a wise man tells her that her mouth is extremely beautiful when her lips are closed ~
Unknown
“A religious preacher incited fathers, brothers and husbands against their daughters, sisters and wives, saying that a girl who is not beaten from an early age grows up to be a rebellious woman, difficult to control… He [also] said that a woman who leaves her home without a veil is like [a woman] who goes out naked.”
This is monstruous! And this was said in 2007 ?! Is this preacher roaming free?! What would such preacher say about women in UAE or about Western women, about the Western world in general?! It’s sick, so sick that I want to go home in the real world.
I know.. I wanted to put different views in that post although alot were pro women but I assure you it is the lack of time or I would have added more quotes on extremist religious preachers that would make your hair grow GREY!
another post maybe.. I would call it.. READ IT AND WEEP!
I should find my cut-outs from newspapers ! I used to collect things that appeared in Arab News showing the level of ignorance in KSA. One was written by a gynecologist about a woman and a man who had been married for one year and couldn’t have children. The doctor checked the woman and she was virgin!!!! And her husband didn’t have a clue, although he supposedly had sex (I mean, made love) with her. I couldn’t believe what I was reading…
Lack of education! Many women get married not knowing what to expect. I mean they never get the birds and bees lecture from their parents nor school. I have spoken to women who were shocked at what goes on between a man and a woman behind closed doors! they found out on their wedding night!
( I am sure some women these days are more open to satellite t.v, books, internet.. and are more knowledgable.. but we ought to have sex education for both girls and boys)
Sex is cosideredtaboo, parents find it VERY difficult to open the subject with their kids.. many don’t!
Dr. Sleiman Al-’Eid, head of the Islamic culture department at KingSaudUniversity:
“Driving will lead women to leave their homes a lot, whether they need to or not. In principle, women should stay at home, as everybody knows.”
“In addition, this might lead women to wear make-up and uncover their faces. Even if you say that women will drive covered by a niqab, or dressed modestly, and so on, this will gradually lead her to uncover her face. This will also encourage her to be disobedient. There is no doubt that women will eventually be photographed, and these photos will be shown to other people – whether the traffic police or other who need to look at these photos, for identification or nay other purpose. This will lead women to mix with men.”
“Another consequence of this will be the diminishing of men’s guardianship over women. If a women drives, she will have a certain degree of independence, and she will come and go, travel, and so on. This will also lead to an increase in suspicions. When she has her own car, she will go out and return late.”
This could tragically hilarious (tragedies on stage can be hilarious). Unfortunately, it happens in reality. That’s it, I made up my mind. Most men in Saudi Arabia are mere cowards, some to a sick extent. How insecure can a man be and how doubtful of his wife’s (or any woman’s) intelligence to prefer to lock her in her house and in her society without any rights — in this case` the right to drive?
“If a women drives, she will have a certain degree of independence, and she will come and go, travel, and so on. This will also lead to an increase in suspicions.”
Please don’t allow me to make up my mind that men are stupid. I don’t want to become an enraged feminist or a lesbian!!!! It’s a good thing I am married to a smart and open-minded man who TRUSTS me and my mental abilities and respects my decisions.
That was very interesting and well organized, well done Rasha, I found it very informing, it reminds me of my own country, Iran, in some parts.
It seems that there are a lot of intellectuals working towards women rights, but the power is in hands some uneducated, selfish people! I don’t wanna offend anyone, but I think thats what happening there!
P.S.
I don’t know why they don’t let women drive! that’s just stupid, I cannot remember that it is said anywhere that it’s against islamic laws!
Rasha,
That was a great article. I hope that more women like you will speak out and show both sides of the coin, so the ignorant can see how stupid they really sound… Some men are very silly and think that a ‘covered’ woman is ’safe’ from harm if she stays in the house. Unfortunately, the more covered they are, the more they can go and come without anyone knowing who they really are…many fully covered women are in full make-up and draw more attention covered. As for driving, we women have drivers, but the thrill of driving is difficult to give up for independent women. That’s why I travel – ALONE – a few times a year, and I have behaved very well. Saudi men are very transparent….most of the time. What you see is what you get….so be sure to ask a bunch of questions ahead of time. My husband has a very open mind and has given me full freedom; much to the dismay of some.
Mariam, excuse my curiosity, is your husband Saudi?
Grumpy is a sadist. These kind of persons are responsible for corrupting the saudi society. All the Mutawwas in saudi follow the same principle. I have lived in Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah for 2 years. Life was hell for me. I never remember a day when me and my husband didn’t fight over the subject of wearing a abaya.
He is a very understanding person, so he stood by me during those times.
I am? What led you to that conclusion?
it is very interesting article
I think in saudi arabia women should have more freedom and other muslim countries should to
I, an european woman from a very emancipated country in Europe, find it unbelievable that intellectual and studied men and (it most be said) some women think that religion and relationships between men and women have anything to do with one another. Our “men” are brought up by the first or second generation feminist women and they have taught there sons that both sexes are equal. I believe that this is where the education starts.
I think the perspective comes from a historic perspective and will evolve over time. The availability of open sources such as internet, tv and radio will help man and woman to chance there perspectives and to get a broader picture on different ways to interact. And even when all sources are available and the individual rights are met in every possible way, still then there are people that chose to obey rules in this. In my country there are certain christian groups that still have a structure where the women are not allowed to work and are to always obey the men. But at least in theire case they have more of a choice as they are born in a free country. Nonetheless the family laws are binding as well for them.
From working in the Arabic world i have found that there is an amazing female culture, which is so much stronger then in our western world. The relationships between sisters, girlfriends and female relatives is much richer and stronger then you find here. I think that this is something to protect and cherish.
Hopefully the woman of KSA will one day find a good balance. I admire all the strong spirited woman that are the frontrunners in this discussion and who enable the ones after them to enjoy more freedom!