SAUDI ARABIA: A nightmare for women

Human Rights Watch today released a 54-page report criticizing the lack of women's rights in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, one of America's key allies in the Middle East.

It is a lengthy indictment of a a legal system that deprives women of basic rights considered ordinary almost everywhere else in the world.

According to the report, the law treats Saudi women like children, maybe worse.

If you're a Saudi woman, you can't board an airplane, get a job, go to school or get married without the permission of a male "guardian," whether a husband, father or, if they're both out of the picture, your son.

You're not even allowed to make decisions on behalf of your own children without the approval of your husband or father.

Sometimes you're even barred from undergoing a medical exam or leaving a hospital without the permission of a male relative.

The report also delves into the consequences of the system of gender segregation that governs Saudi cultural life.

The strictly enforced separation of men and women is used as an excuse to prevent women from voting. It discourages employers from hiring women, because they have to spend extra to set up women-only areas. It makes it difficult for women to pursue higher education or obtain benefits from government agencies.

Saudi officials told the New York-based advocacy group that their society needed time to absorb the notion of women's rights. But the Human Rights Watch report's summary takes them to task:

The government has done little to end these discriminatory practices and plays a central role in enforcing them. In doing so, the Saudi government chooses to ignore not only international law but even elements of the Islamic legal tradition that support equality between men and women. The religious establishment has consistently paralyzed any efforts to advance women’s rights by applying only the most restrictive provisions of Islamic law while disregarding more progressive interpretations and the evolving needs of a modern society.

U.S. officials consistently decline to harshly criticize Saudi Arabia for its human rights record.

Many in the region call this hypocritical: the Bush administration repeatedly criticizes countries it's not friendly with, especially Iran, for using Islam as an excuse to deny women's rights.

With the decline of Egypt, oil-rich Saudi Arabia is becoming a center of cultural power in the Arab and Muslim world. It funds mosques and cultural centers around the globe, and its attitudes on women and Islam heavily influence Sunni Muslims from North Africa through South Asia to the Far East.

The Saudi influence is even felt here in relatively libertine Lebanon, where more and more Sunni Arab women are taking to wearing the all-covering niqab.

—Borzou Daragahi in Beirut

Photo: A Saudi student takes notes as she attends a medical gathering at King Fahd Medical City in Riyadh. Credit: Hassan Ammar/AFP/Getty Images

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Comments

[Bug in a Hotel Kitchenette]

This is new to you ?
It all goes back to the 11'th century or even later as the Wahabbists changed rules to their liking
Its interesting to listen to feminists trying to rationalize that its ok or Saudi men or spokespeople trying to put modern logic onto these primitive customs
cannot drive - who would want to drive when you have a chauffeur ? Or that Saudi Arabian and its culture are wonderful as they "protect " women with an escort
No company can afford an extra escort ( it cheaper to underpay foreign "guest" workers) so women in Saudi generally do not work
When are we going to open our eyes and call a spade a spade and a spoiled brat a spoiled brat

[Anwar H. Alharbi]

Will for starters, I am very amazed by the efforts that the westerns are going through so they can “free our minds” as they so elegantly put it, I have to ask by all what is going on in the world, and by what is going on I mean Iraq and Palestine and Afghanistan, somehow the westerns have time to “free our minds”, will I have to thank you for taken the time for us, with all those wars going on.

Believe it or not I was surfing the web in search of pictures of Saudi Arabia, and I stumbled upon the picture that in the post and read the headline about the nightmares and all , and I read the comments and was surprised to see who I think is my good friend Sarah Al Motairi, long time no see …
And tell her nice comments you were always good with words, but I think the world is what we make of it , we don’t need anyone telling us , we will find out our self’s, and something’s are mint to be,

Best regards,
Anwar H. Alharbi

[Robert]

One thing what I think is now I'm a man from America I think Arab women should be allowed to have the rights that women here in America have. One thing is we dont go stoning our women or drowning them if they do something we dont like and we dont cut peoples heads off in the name of some freak god Alah. Remember
Saudi Women if you want rights come to USA.

[HYA EBRAHEEM]

'Human Rights in Islam''
In The Name Of Allah The Gracious The Most Merciful:
Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds. And may peace and blessings of Allah be upon the seal of the Prophets, Muhammad, his family and all his companions. History has never experienced a nation that is more faithful than Muslims with respect of observing covenants, justice, mercy, good manners and treatment. The source of these qualities is their Islamic Faith that has been revealed by Allah the Almighty to Prophet Muhammad as blessings for all mankind. It is through this religion that Allah guides people from darkness to light and to the right path. Islam has maintained the rights of individuals and thereby people brotherly coexist in peace and tranquility. They cooperate with each other in all worldly matters. Also, Christians and the Jews lived within the Muslim community in peace and security.
A Muslim, guided by his true religion, does not need any new man-made laws. Allah the Almighty has perfected the religion for us, and completed his blessings and has chosen Islam as our religion. Therefore, whoever goes beyond this is deemed to have diverted from the right path and committed injustice. Because this will be inconsistent with what Allah has ordained for his servants whom He is well aware of what that will make them live happily. "Should He not know He that created, and He is the Subtle, the Aware". Muslims have nothing but to adhere firmly to their religion, and to implement its tenets, provisions, and ethics. They should make these teachings as their paradigm and consequently they will attain security, tranquility, justice, content, strength and progress. They will have abundant prosperity. This is so because Allah has created everything for the sake of man, and has created man to worship Him. Allah ordains: "I have only created jinns and men that they may serve Me" (Sura 51, verse 56). Man will only have happiness in accordance with what Allah has revealed for his guidance. Reality provides good evidence for this claim. Whenever Shari'a law is implemented, people's life remains good and they feel safe and secured in respect of themselves, property, honor and dignity. Likewise, whenever man diverts from this right path, he will be in vain and so are his rights. "Say thou: "This is my way, do invite unto Allah, - with a certain knowledge I and whoever follows me." "Follow not (other) paths: they will scatter you about from his path. Thus doth He command you that ye may be righteous". While addressing this issue, we present the Kingdom for the Muslim World as a living example of implementation of the Shari'a (Islamic law) in all walks of life. The rulers and subjects in the KSA live in security and tranquility because they are fully satisfied with the implementation of the Islamic Shari'a. They look at it as the source of their dignity, strength, security and happiness. We pray to Allah to keep this country attached to Islamic law and to bestow it with strength and might; and to save it from the implicit and explicit calamities and afflictions that were afflicted on other nations and to maintain it strong, mighty and dignified under the shade of Islam and its just provisions and the wise leadership. We are thankful and grateful to Allah that for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia it is obligation to adhere firmly to this religion and to propagate it; the Kingdom also cares for the Muslims concerns, helps them, and defends their causes in all aspects whenever possible. No doubt that this attitude of the Kingdom is neither acceptable nor comfortable to the foes. For this reason, they save no effort to fabricate accusations and false assertions and then they publish such propaganda in an effort to falsify facts and mislead people. Among other accusations of human rights violations that were raised against the Kingdom, is the implementation of the Islamic criminal system. The reader may have the right to wonder as they have sympathy for a criminal against whom the provision of Allah has been executed because he committed murder or committed a crime against security or strove with might and main for mischief, or waged war against Allah and His Messenger. However, they did not publish one word about the innocent and weak Muslims in Bosnia-Herzegovina and other places where Muslims were displaced from their homeland and deprived of their honor and property. These people were not enabled to defend themselves. Such crimes committed against these poor people were not the concern of human rights agencies. But never mind their acts will be in vain and void. They just behave like a mountain goat that tries to dismantle the mount by its horn, but it only hurts its horn. The Kingdom does not listen to anyone who talks nonsense. It will make no business to any vexatious allegations. Those who are fascinated with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) that was announced in 1948, and considered it as an unprecedented paradigm in human relations and conceived it as the top of human civilization, they deliberately ignore Islam and its subtle treatment that it endows on mankind. They disregard that Islam maintains human rights and organize his daily affairs in such a manner that ensures human dignity and guides him to the right path and saves him from going astray. For this reason the bright face of Islam must be unraveled for those ignorant or ignoring people so as to know the Islamic perspective of human rights and the bases and rules on which it has been established. Of course, there is no comparison between what has been incorporated in Islam and that embedded in the UDHR, what has the ground to do with the Pleiades? Indeed they are totally disproportionate in value. There is no need for details in this brief commentary, as the details will be left for the author Dr. Sulieman Bin Abdul Rahman Al Hageel to address in this research: "Human Rights in Islam and Refutation of the Misconceived Allegations Associated With These Rights". He has presented this research in six chapters with efficiency and enthusiasm. He explained the concept of human rights in history, in Islam and in secular law. He also addressed the implementation of the Islamic criminal system, the pros of such application and the cons of the suspension and impairment of the Shari'a. In chapter (6), the author repudiated the most important critiques raised by the enemies of Islam in this domain.
The Islamic library is in need for this research and other similar ones in order to clarify the veracity and unravel the falsehood. And also to unveil obscurity from vision and thoughts, and to eradicate the passive effects that some people may have as a result of self-interested propaganda. Whoever reads, without prejudice, this valuable research and the other researches that dealt with Islam and its advantages, the Islamic community tenets and human relations between its subjects, and the rights incorporated therein, will obviously note that this religion must have been revealed by Allah from Heavens and that it is definitely the truth. He will also note that Islam, which basically means "submission to God" is the only religion accepted by Allah, and that human happiness will not be attainable except by adherence to its provisions and its firm bond under its protective shades. We pray that Allah may reward the author, bless his efforts and make them useful. Praise be to Allah the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds.''

[Sarah Al Motairi]

Suzanne,

I think it is important that we compare the liberation and lack of liberation in Saudi women to that of the American woman because the American woman is an example of how long it took to be liberated and experience certain luxuries of today. American women struggled and fought over years to gain their independence in America.

By no means am I saying that the Saudi woman should have all the same liberations as the American woman because not all American liberations are in accordance with Islam and the Quran. That is something that we must keep in mind. However, it is important that Saudi Arabia change the laws of women’s academic rights and women’s social rights.

We cannot forget though the progress that is slowly occurring in Saudi Arabia. I remember in the early 1990’s education was limited for the Saudi woman. The choices available were ridiculous. Today, Saudi women can go to university and study law, medicine, English literature, computer science, languages, fashion design, interior design, finance, and business and so on. And all for free.

I understand and agree with on where you are coming from in regards to some families restricting their daughters and wives from participating in modern Saudi society today. There are still serious issues that we need to deal with. A woman needs to be able to hold her own and grow in Saudi society. What I say to that is give it time. Everything takes time and a change cannot and will not happen overnight. It is sad to have to deal with this reality but it is reality. A good amount of today’s Saudi female and male generation is educating themselves. Luxuries that we may have not had in the early 1990’s we are now a part of today. This new generation will slowly open their minds.

I do believe, as you do that the Saudi woman should be able to function independently in Saudi Arabia. I also strongly agree with you that Saudi Arabia needs to separate the entwined cultural and religious beliefs in order to allow women to grow as part of the Saudi society.

Also, just to clarify, my father’s family is not a wealthy one at all. My father is well off today as he educated himself and is now a doctor. The rest of his family, in his generation, is not educated past high school and even middle school at times. Some of my father’s friends, extended family and acquaintances are also academically uneducated, however, socially and religiously educated. They provide their female relatives with encouragement and hope for a better future in Saudi Arabia.

[Sarah Al Motairi]

Thank you for your response to my post, Borzou. I am sorry if I might have come off as making this personal. I understand that the article was merely a refelction of the Human Rights Watch report.

I am also extremely appreciative of you for writing this aritcle as it leads to important and necessary dialogue between the East and West to get a better understanding of one another. It is this type of dialogue that will allow for us to grow as a world.

Thank you,

Sarah Al Motairi

[Nora]

Human Rights Watch exaggerated the report and much of it based on western culture, as they want us to imitate it. The short answer is a ‘no’ for this report why do not take differences and choices into account. You think we should introduce the false democracy you are preaching, and as a result of this democracy millions of women and children killed in Palestine, Afghanistan and Iraq not to mention the hunger and poverty left for these countries. Get out of our way, with hope for this world to live in peace and harmony as we females of Saudi live. IF you in doubt, you are welcome to Saudi and visit us.

[SARAH]

I am a Saudi female who lives in the country (Saudi) and happy with our way of life, our freedom, and our policy system. We are a Muslim nation and very proud of that. Our values and morals are excellent and we really are over the moon with them! Our Islam is our way of life and we chose this way because it is the best. So could outsiders leave us alone and NOT intervening in our internal affairs!

[omar]

My sister : Sarah Al Motairi , thanks alot 4 your super comment.

[Susan Schuster Zaidan]

I am an American woman living in Saudi Arabia for the past 34 years.
It is very tiring to compare the liberation or lack there of in Saudi women to that of the Amercan woman.
From my personal experience, the woman who comes from one of the oldest Saudi family's combined with wealth & education does not encounter obstacles that becoming totally independent and mobile would benefit.She can function as she likes because of her privileges that the majority of Saudi women do not have. Liberating the Saudi woman is not about being western rather it is about separting the entwined religious beliefs that are mixed with cultural mores. The Saudi woman needs to be free as any human being. If she decides to function freely than that is her choice but at least she has that option.

[borzou]

To Sarah Al Motairi: Thanks so much for your excellent, nuanced and intelligent post. Just to be clear, I was describing what was in the Human Rights Watch report, not giving my own opinion or assessment of what is happening in Saudi Arabia. —Borzou

[Sarah Al Motairi]

I am a Saudi woman and I am deeply disturbed by the exaggerations in this article. I am 30 years old and have lived in Saudi Arabia for 22 years of my adult life. It is false accusations like these that lead to a lack of understanding of the Middle East and Islam by the West. I come from a family who are one of the oldest families of Saudi Arabia and I have not experienced the restrictions that are mentioned in this article to the degree proposed.

The following statements in the article are exxagerrated:

“You can't board an airplane, get a job, go to school or get married without the permission of a male "guardian," True to the boarding a plane statement. That was an issue that I also have personal issues with. However, going to school and getting a job; those are exaggerated statements. I went to school in Saudi Arabia and worked at three different institutions (Bank, Accounting Company and Airline Company) and I went for my interview without my father’s permission, got the job without my father’s permission and stayed in the job without my father’s permission. The marriage statement is true, however, in Islam this is not the law nor the rule and this needs to change to a degree.

“You're not even allowed to make decisions on behalf of your own children without the approval of your husband or father.” This is an exaggerated statement and the fact is that as a mother you can make decisions oh behalf of your children. However, it is recommended that you discuss it with your significant other (just as you would here in the West). My mother made decisions with and for us all the time when my father was busy or unavailable. When he was around, she still made decisions if she pleased.

“Sometimes you're even barred from undergoing a medical exam or leaving a hospital without the permission of a male relative.” This is a completely false statement unless we are talking about the secluded, uneducated, completely clueless areas of Saudi Arabia. This is not the majority of Saudi Arabia.

“The strictly enforced separation of men and women is used as an excuse to prevent women from voting. It discourages employers from hiring women, because they have to spend extra to set up women-only areas. It makes it difficult for women to pursue higher education or obtain benefits from government agencies.” I agree with this statement to a degree; however, it is severely exaggerated as I worked in three companies that provided women’s hiring rights. Also, keep in mind that with time and progress and education, this mentality will fade away as it has already started to change. Please read below.

Saudi Arabia’s history as well as the history of many Middle Eastern countries is ancient; however, the birth of modern (when I say modern I refer to Islam at the same time as Islam is a guide to a decent and modern life) society in the Middle East has only just begun. And as with all new countries, progress is slow, challenging and usually successful. Keep in mind however, that Islam is not the enemy of women’s rights. It is extreme Arab tradition and culture that is the enemy of Islam, therefore the enemy of women’s rights.

Islam changed the structure of Arab society when it was lost in Jahaliya (ignorance). Islam was born in the Middle East because of the ignorance that inhibited the Arabs of that time. At the time of the Prophet Muhammed, Islam improved the status of women by instituting rights of property ownership, inheritance, education and divorce. This is fact and in accordance with Islam and the Quran.

Now, let us take into consideration when a country like Saudi Arabia came into the “modern” age in comparison to a country like America. Saudi Arabia only became a country in the ealry to mid 1920’s. The land was desert with no modern buildings, no cars. Oil was only discovered in 1938. There was a gap of enabling the full potential of oil due to World War II; however, by 1949 production was in full swing. Today, Saudi Arabia is one of the most modernly built and elegant countries in the world with beautiful tall buidlings, clean, smooth roads, every type of car you can imagine, hundreds of educational facilities (schools, universities and Islamic centers), restaurants, offices and so on.

Oil has provided Saudi Arabia with economic prosperity and allowed Saudi Arabia to successfully do business in the international community. Saudi Arabia is one of the few fastest growing countries in the world with a high per capita income of $20,700 as of 2007. With time, Saudi’s will break free of their traditions and as they educate themselves, generation by generation, progress will be a winner.

Now, let us look at America. This is not an attack on America at all, I am merely trying to show progress and the time it takes. In 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed onto the land that was inhabited by natives. Years and years pass, then there was colonialism with the original 13 colonies. Then there was the American Revolution that allowed for the colonies to be independent.

From 1600 to 1860 Africans were brought to present day America and were tortured, humiliated, and sold into slavery(Islam abolished slavery over 1400 years ago). There were movement after movement (The Black Panthers, Civil Rights, etc.) that fought for the change in the land that declared itself FREE! Overtime and with much pain, suffering, sadness and death, Africans living in America FINALLY got their rights. Today, African Americans are still suffering and still discriminated against. The rights of African Americans in the US is still not 100% resolved.

Women’s Suufrage was permanently granted in 1920 in America with the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution; when Saudi Arabia had just become a country at all. In colonial America, women who worked usually became seamstresses or kept boardinghouses. By the early 19th century, occupations that were accepted for women were generally related to factory labor or domestic work. Women were barred from the American Medical Association, founded in 1846. Women were also barred from attending "men's" medical colleges, women enrolled in their Female Medical College of Pennsylvania, which was established in 1850. However, the change came subtly in the 1910s, when women were attending many leading medical schools, and in 1915 the American Medical Association began to admit women members. All of this takes time and progress.

Today, America is still not perfect. Today America is still struggling with women’s rights, racism, high crime rates, lack of healthcare, and so on. The West, specifically America, tends to neglect issues that it is currently dealing with and has a very bad habit of pointing the finger at others when the West itself is dealing with similar issues and has been for decades.

I suggest that people watch documentaries like "House of Saud" to further understand how early in its stages Saudi Arabia truly is at this time. I will not say that Saudi Arabia does not have some reforming to do; it does. However, I do say that the West needs to understand that Saudi Arabia is a relatively new country and as with America and Europe, Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries will take time to deal with certain issues. You cannot just expect people to change all they have known until today, their cultural and traditional beliefs over night. Just as we in the East would not expect the West to progress overnight either. I am not making an excuse for Saudi laws that are Islamically incorrect; however, I am confidently saying that time and education heals all regardless of Eastern or Western beliefs.

[IBRA]

This is the way most Saudi female like. For instance, a study carried out in Saudi, more than 88 per cent say they would not like to drive cars. This research shows you how they wish to live. As far as I can see they are well-off, it is just a matter of what interests people. However, they are interested in following their culture and customs, which most of it, based on Islam teaching and faith. I respect the fact that Saudi Arabia is different in religion, and culture, so why not respecting what they believe in. They're happy with what they've got. So, let us stop judging people on the choices they make FOR themselves!
www.islamalways.com/

[DAVID]

For those who do not know about Saudi culture which based on Islamic law. My advice, if we were to understand them properly, is to visit: www.islam-guide.com/.