American Bedu

Persecution of Women
Current mood: contemplative
Category: Travel and Places

There have been some recent events this past week which certainly showcase persecution in Saudi Arabia.  This is a subject no one likes to face openly or discuss but the fact remains that it is there.  I will have to come back and post the appropriate newslinks into this submission but if I’m lazy or late in doing so, search arab news for more info (www.arabnews.com).First Al-Yamamah University in Riyadh was putting on a play.  The play was organized by male students.  The play featured life in Saudi during the olden days and its theme was neither right nor left but rather down the middle.  The script did have accompanying background music.  Well, apparently the Muttawa (religious police) got wind of this performance being held at the University and intervened.  While the play was in progress the muttawa came in and disrupted the event stating it was unislamic.  Additionally the muttawa demanded they have access to the women’s viewing section to ensure that the women were not only properly attired but to confirm that no men were present in the women’s section either (yes; in the rare event of a play there are separate and private areas for male and female seating).  Fortunately the university officials did not allow the muttawa access into the women’s section.  But needless to say the play was disrupted and stopped.  The subsequent reaction to this incident has been mixed.  There are those who state that holding such a play and with music as background was too progressive and needed to be stopped as it could kindle the seeds of dissent.  There were also those who stated that this incident simply highlights why there needs to be change, reform and proggression in the Kingdom and that the muttawa are going too far.  Debates and editorials on this incident continue in the media.The second incident really strikes a chord with me.  There was a lecture at a prominent hospital.  An islamic scholar was invited to come and speak.  The participants were mixed – men and women – and most of them were all from the medical profession.  Saudi Arabia has a number of female physcians. One of these physicians is a friend of mine.  When the scholar entered to make his presentation and saw that the audience was mixed, he refused to come any further forward until the “pollutants” (yes, he meant the women) were removed from the auditorium.  Sadly the women were requested to leave, the men remained and the lecture continued.What do these actions say about the role and plight of women in Saudi Arabia?  Did the islamic scholar forget that it was a woman (pollutant) who bore him or does he believe he is a result of an immaculate conception???Most recently I spoke to a professor about these incidents and asked her what were her students views about these incidents; how have these incidents affected them.  Sadly and not surprisingly the overall reaction of female students is one of despondency.  They told their professor why should they even try and express themselves or attempt to study in particular fields when it is so evident they have no chance of success…when the professor has encouraged them to write about their views there response was that their words would never see the light of day or they would be persecuted.At the same time you will meet women who are very happy and satisfied and fully believe all their rights and entitlements are being met.In my own observations I have noticed that sporting events are male only.  If televised, a woman can watch at home on tv.  Most fitness clubs are male only.  Those which allow women will have lesser hours for the women and not as many facilities available.  The society encourages women to take on roles similar to that of women during the 1950′s in the US.  Because only families are allowed in malls, the shopping malls are typically filled with clothing stores, perfume shops, makeup shops (it is not unusual for one mall to have at least 6 individual shops which only sell makeup).  Maybe a mall will have one small bookstore.  I’ve not seen video stores, music stores or electronic stores typically in malls. Due to time constraints I have to leave this post for now but it will likely be continued.

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