At times you see change moving in the right direction, and then whatever progress is made, seems to be pulled back just a bit. Two steps forward, one step back.

It is not easy to get rid of deep seated beliefs and traditions. Like you said, tribal culture is an entrenched reality in some parts of the world. And the treatment of women has often failed to live up to the standards set by no other than the Prophet Muhammad himself, who married a woman, Khadijah, 15 years his senior, a wealthy woman who ran a number of thriving businesses, and who proposed marriage to the young Muhammad.

I would like to believe, that sooner or later, all things will move closer toward what makes sense. It may take quite a while to get there, but inevitably, people will be forced to make sense of their lives, and to confom their thinking to universal principles of common sense.

It does not make sense to put women down. As the natural givers of life, and as the natural caretakers of life, women are uniquely qualified to reconstitute their societies consistent with a Vision of Hope.

Saudi Arabia, in many respects, is a very special place, a very symbolic place, and therefore, a very important place with regard to change. It is true that the country is strongly influenced by tribal culture, culture which does not always treat women as the Prophet Muhammad intended. It is also true, that there are influences in the Kingdom which tend toward ideological extremism. And yet, their are as well hints of possible change.

If Saudi Arabia decides to embrace the possibility of change, it could very well mean a transformation of the entire region, a transformation which could very well lead to a restoration of Arab pride, and which could eventually result in the realization of a vision of peace, prosperity, and freedom, a Vision of Hope.

I believe that Saudi Arabia should become a “Mecca” for green technology and renewable energy. A change of this sort will create good paying jobs, will help to neutralize extremist thinking, will restore Arab pride, will protect the environment, and may pave the way toward peace. Saudi Arabia, at a time when the world cries out for a solution, should find the courage to convert oil profits into green profits. And with this bold change, will come a reassessment of many of the deep seated customs and beliefs which you so rightly question.