Today is Independence day in America. This is the day that Americans will rejoice in the freedom and democracy that is the right of every American citizen. It is also my first Independence Day in America for quite some time. The last three had been in Saudi Arabia and prior to that in Pakistan. As a result, this Independence Day has me contemplative on what Independence truly means. When compared to Saudi Arabia, I relish being in America and not having that continued feeling of watchfulness. What do I mean by that? It is something that one may not realize consciously while in the Kingdom but it is there nevertheless…that sensation of being watched and having to be careful of actions and words. If it not watching out for the Hayan (Muttawa or religious police) then it is the need to be careful so as not to inadvertently offend a conservative Saudi national who may feel that too much hair is showing, lipstick is too bright or one has laughed too loudly. Because in Saudi Arabia, the culture is for everyone to conform and overall in public settings, to be subdued for fear of drawing attention to oneself.
I also wish for more independence for the women in Saudi Arabia in the sense that they may work or attend University without the prior approval of their male mahrem (guardian). I wish that more educational options would open up for women in Saudi Arabia such as more choices in engineering disciplines, law and other fields too. If a Saudi woman would like to be the first Saudi female (and Muslim) woman in space, then she should have that opportunity. If girls would like to have a basketball or softball team, they should be able to do so.
I don’t think I am asking for dramatic changes, at least not by Western terms. But what I am asking and wishing for would probably be viewed as rather radical in Saudi terms as my hopes for the Saudi women are going against the tradition and culture currently in place.
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i fully endorse your views
change is very much required
I’m very happy that you get to enjoy the holiday here. I hope that you have a wonderful barbeque and go to the fireworks.
It is a wonderful feeling to walk the streets and not worry about being hauled in for questioning here. I would take that over a fist world country like the Kingdom any day of the week.
I think of the current Saudi situation a little bit like desegregation in America, and predict we are at least 40 years from any Saudi woman entering space. The reason is that 50% of Saudi’s are under 25, and yet the new generation doesn’t seem to be making substantial changes towards equality.
@Srinivas – as always, thank you for your comment.
@Lisa – I also agree that Saudi Arabia is moving forward in baby steps. But when you think about it, it is still a young country as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and continuing to evolve.
Only time will tell what will happen…
Happy Independence Day though
Jameela
I know how you feel…when I go home for periods of time…it takes me a few days to shrug off that feeling that my every step is being scrutinized by SOMEONE…and if Ive done anything I will hear about it later. Nice to be rid of that oppresive feeling now and then.
Dear Bedu,
Happy Anniversary of American Independence Day. and it is my pleasure that you enjoy celebrating American independence day in America this time and expressing your inner joy of being independent, especially, after you were overseas in the kingdom where people conducts are monitored socially as you illustrated. And thanks for your wishes for Saudi women independence and for their rights in the Saudi society.
I would like to divide my article in this topic into three parts, the first part, I will speak generally about the notion of independence in Saudi and American context. In the second part, I will address what women independence means in Saudi context. And in the last part, I will propose solutions of how Saudi women can get their equality with men in the Saudi society.
The dictionary meaning of independence indicates that it is 1“the state or quality of being independent; freedom from the influence, control, or determination of another or others” and 2“ Sufficient income for comfortable self-support; a competence. In Wikipedia, independence is defined as “ the self government of a nation, country or state by its residents and population, or some portion thereof, generally exercising sovereignty. Hence, we can deduce from these definitions of independence stated that there are three different kinds of independence: political independence, social or personal independence, and economical independence.
In American context, America is politically independent as well as Saudi Arabia although I have some reservations on how any country is politically independent while its political system is dependant on the cooperation of others countries in solving some local or international conflicts. The same thing can be said about economical independence, we know that economy is based on orders and demands in world markets. So if there are any conflicts internationally or locally in any country, all the world economical system will be affected. And this situation can be observed crystal clearly during the recently world economic crisis that hit America, consequently affected all the world economical system and the international stocks markets even in Saudi Arabia. So we can say that the political and economical independence of every country in the world is still relative and partially dependant on other countries.
For speaking about the social or individual independence, I will consult David Ben Gurion as he proposed that “Without moral and intellectual independence, there is no anchor for national independence.” According to David, the real independence is when a person feels that he is really independent morally and intellectually at personal level initially and upgrading into intergroup level ultimately.
Hence, in American context for example, ladies are socially independent and formally their independence is legislated by the American constitution. consequently, their parents and their society have no control over their movements. But lets us also think about their independence which mean they should be economically competent. Do you think that American ladies are economically independent according to the definition of independence that I stated. Also do not you think that American ladies independence is at the expense of the moral independence proposed by David? Let us also look at the statistics of the rape crimes rate, sexual harassment, porn industry, issues of family values, homosexuality, poverty etc which could happen in small numbers if American ladies were dependant on their families. do not you think that all these issues which I can call them concerns make Saudi ladies hesitate or question the notion of independence? I raised these questions here to address the logic of being independent regardless of the religious and Saudi social norms that are different from the Americans.
Let me now address how Saudi women can be independent. Independence of Saudi women means that their family members and their religion, and then their societies have NO control over their conducts, movements, decisions, etc. let us see how applicable is this in Saudi society. I will not speak about the teachings of Islam about women but I will explain how Saudi society is constructed to understand the social situation. 90% of Saudi society is constructed from tribes and the members of every tribe reach to hundreds of thousands. And each tribe is well known among the all tribes in Saudi. And there are social aspects regarding honor, shame, modesty, decency, reputation etc. do you know that if a member of any tribe did something bad especially ladies, he will bring the shame to all his family and his tribe in general? Do you know that good reputation is everything in the Saudi society and some people who lost their good reputation are ready to pay everything just to get back their good reputation among their families?
If I will speak about the Law which should give women their independence is reserved by clear holy texts and such verses can not be changed? In addition, Saudis ( men and women) believe in their faith and adhere strongly to these holy teachings?
This is the real challenge of change that face anyone who look for better future in saudi arabia.
But let me tell you how we can change the Saudi society culturally. The only thing that can change the Saudi society culturally is redefining the deep cultural concepts such as modesty, decency, and expel the notion of honor, reputation and promoting individualism. As soon as all these terms are redefined tolerantly with women issues, then Islamic interpretation of Quran can be changed according to their understanding of these moral issues because Islam is based generally on morals and promoting virtues and fighting Fasad, immoral acts or sins.
I agree with you 100% that Saudi women should move freely without Mahram’s permissions and study in engineering fields and their physical appearance is not monitored socially as well as their conducts.
But all these wishes should be accepted socially at first place and then reinforced by religious people and finally legislated by law.
I am sorry for this long article but I hope it will give insight to your readers about Saudi women issues in Saudi society.
Salam!
u can keep your stupid,sick,cheap ameircan style freedom to your slef,we dont need it,now go jump on aifre work haha
~*~*~*~ Happy Independence Day! ~*~*~*~
Hope you enjoy your day celebrating in America.
I enjoyed this post. Thank you.
Happy 4th of July in the land of independence and freedom! This holiday is especially tough for those of us living over here in Saudi. It reminds us of what we’re missing – not in terms of material things, but in terms of the God-given rights and freedoms we grew up enjoying – and taking for granted. Life in Saudi has sure changed that – I no longer take my rights and freedoms for granted, but thank God on a daily basis for their foundation in my life. Have a great day and celebrate your freedoms while you can!
Happy independence Carol
@Medina please read the blog rules.
@Carol You are not at all asking for a dramatical change.But now the question is,do atleast 80% of Saudi women wishes that for themselves.I doubt it.I think they enjoy the sleeping the whole day and shopping till am.not all of them ,but the majority of course.I used to feel sorry for them,not anymore.They are simply the laziest women on earth period.Then again they never tasted what you wish for them.
@gugu — I do agree that you cannot miss what you have never had.
Insha’Allah, the people of Arabia are able to throw off the chains of monarchy the way we were able to here in the USA.
I’ll drink one non alcoholic beer to the destruction of all monarchies around the world and the idea that because of an accident of birth people think they have a right to rule!
As the Irish say “Our Day Will Come”.
Drear gugu,
I read the blog rules before and I did not say that bedu is asking for dramatic change in the saudi soceity regading women rights. read my article again plz.
salam.
Dear*
Happy Independence Day!
I had a barbecue in honour of the day! LOL
Since lasting change usually comes incrementally, and rather slowly, I do hope that Saudi continues to evolve towards more educational, career, and fitness (sports) opportunities for women, and more flexibility for both men and women. These changes would not necessarily be accompanied by increases in criminal or deviant behaviour, and could well be accompanied by improvements in at least some social behaviours. Changes in the law, particularly the Mudwana (Sharia family law) would contribute greatly to a more balanced relationship between men and women.
The uncomfortable sense of always being watched and judged would presumably be mitigated as well, if there were some greater flexibility in society.
If there were to be political change, a gradual move to a more constitutional monarchy would be more realistic and desirable than a revolution to a republic, in my opinion. A constitutional monarchy would be an excellent model to retain the positive role of the monarchy (identity, stability, another layer of government free from the constraints of election politics) and yet allow for more direct representation of popular concerns. Tribal issues of who constitutes the royal family and the aristocracy are a different issue.
Since Saudi Arabia is not a colony with dissatisfactions with its far off rulers, revolution is less justifiable, and results in bloodshed and trauma that can be prevented by political evolution from its current absolute monarchy, to a constitutional monarchy with an active monarch (like Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates in MENA), rather that one with a ceremonial monarch (like England, Belgium, Spain, etc).
Dear Medina
The only message adressed to you from me is about the blog rules,I never said, you said anything about nagative to America Bedu.With all the respect Medina your message was just way too long.
Dear gugu,
I assumed that from your reply @ bedu. also I did not say you said that I said anything negative to bedu. and with my respect to you, read my article again to get my point.
salam,
Happy (late) Independence Day Carol! I know how you feel. After perusing blogs such as yours for awhile, it gave me even pause to think about all the freedoms I enjoy where I live while I celebrated Canada Day.
@gugu
im sure 80% of them would want the change! and that would only leave the oldies and the restricted ones!
and they only shop cuz they have nothing else to do! its the only entertainment available!
oh ya and Happy 4th of July dear bedu! i loved the fireworks! im so having fireworks in my wedding! =D
Enjoy ur stay!
@Mel – thank you Mel!
@SomeOne – I like that idea of fireworks at a wedding!