Think about it… If you could change just one thing about Saudi Arabia, what would it be – and why? A friend asked me that question recently and it really did make me think long and hard. A quick answer might be “allow women to drive” or “abolish the mahrem” but if I really could wave that magic wand and implement a change, I’d like it to be on educational reform. With 60 per cent of Saudi’s population under the age of 25 I feel strongly that the only way changes will take place is through educational reform which starts at the primary level and continues through university.
Now that is my own particular view. I look forward to hearing yours and what you would do if you had that chance to wave a magic wand and change one thing about Saudi Arabia.
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I would like to be allowed to drive .. it will make me feel some freedom .. i will not wait for things to be changed through education system..
but i strongly belive that this is the best strategy.
As an American my first reaction is to see women’s freedom as most important but educational reform would probably do that and more. Just the idea of co-education in the premier research institution in KSA has created a stir. Maybe that stir will be more than just a stir.
I’d like to get rid of the ugly black abaya and go back to the days of how they were when I first arrived many years ago. They were worn more as shalls, and our clothes could show from the hip down. It was much cooler as well.
American Bedu…
what is abolishing mahram?
I, too, would like to see more equality for women.
If we are in the realm of magic wands, I would like Saudi Arabia to have the constitution of a secular democracy.
How many decades (centuries?) till that happens? The answer is blowing in the wind!
Unless there is some crazy regime changes and war and hostile takeover and stuff, i don’t see a “secular democracy” coming for Saudi Arabia.
The people there, from my experience, do not want their religion taken out of their politics. It is too important to ongoing life, plus the religion sets so many of their laws (not all, but a lot).
I agree with you 100% ,Carol, on educational reform. It is through education that people become enlightened and will have the ability to critically think.
The more educated you are, the less ignorant you become and with knowledge comes power!
In my opinion, educational reform is much needed all around the Middle East, not just Saudi Arabia.
I am enjoying all the comments and certainly hope for more views and perspectives to come forward as well.
Rose CG: how about implementing the change yourself? If you live in a more open environment than say Riyadh or Qassim you could probably promote a new style of abaya. I recall earlier in the year actually starting to see more women in Riyadh wearing more islamic style clothes than the traditional abaya. One time in the local Tamimi I was surprised to see a woman who appeared Lebanese wearing a long sleeve shirt, skirt between the knees and ankles and with boots but sans abaya.
OBY: The “mahram” is also known as the male guardian which a Saudi woman must have who can determine or influence whether she can work, continue her education, travel by herself within Saudi Arabia, travel outside Saudi Arabia, etc.
Daisy, et al: This post is all about what if one can wave a magic wand!
Appreciate your views Manal.
Carol,
Yes and only a magic wand can make the KSA a secular democracy!
NeverEver,
You seem to be cut out for Saudi Arabia. I’m sure you’ll enjoy your time there. Can’t say the same for myself.
I have found that the longer I am in the States the more I am in fact missing Saudi and my home there.
Education is the foundation of all reform. So if I had to pick one I would definitely start reforming education. Introduce more critical thinking, more tolerance in the religious text books, more art and literature. If you can create an open minded generation, then all these reforms we’ve been dreaming about will be spearheaded by these new Saudis.
If I had a magic wand, and waved it over Saudi Arabia, it would be to make sweeping changes throughout that land. Liberate the women and women’s rights, and shake the men back to their senses! To have supressed women and their education, growth, and profound achievements, is cruel and unusual. The men are so afraid of women, that they have to hide you, and keep you from knowing truth. That’s a lot to ask from my Wand! But I believe that the truth shall prevail!
brainwashing or brainburning
whatever you change, Saudi social have ability to rollback changes in less than 2 months
“educational reform” will not improve Arabic mind
it is extremely possible you find young boys live his childhood and graduate fro high school in America, and when he come back to S.A he will clash with old traditions in S.A and melt with society
it make only 2 moths or less to force his mother/sister to dress Abaya
I am Saudi from Riyadh but this is the truth.
it’s bye bye mahrem for me.
that’s the one aspect that gave me the greatest shock…
I appreciate the additional comments and views.
Pamela, Suliman – welcome to the blog and hope to hear more from both of you.
I remain optimistic and do believe changes are taking place in Saudi Arabia which further enhance what is good and great. While there are those in the Kingdom who are opposed to KAUST in the sense of allowing more freedoms and foreign students I look at KAUST as a major step forward towards greater openness, understanding and steps of additional educational reform at the graduate level.
Suliman – your comment strikes a chord as I have written earlier posts on the transformation of the Saudi man in regards to one who has been out of the Kingdom for a period of time and then returns. Yet speaking of a younger generation of Saudi who has been raised outside and then returns to the Kingdom I would encourage everyone to read the interview of Adamwhom I must reinterview in a year and see whether he has changed much or not.
Radha – I’m not sure about you but thankfully I’ve not felt affected with the mahrem requirement as a foreigner married to a Saudi in Saudi Arabia. I certainly realize and acknowledge this is due to having a liberal spouse who encourages me to be independent in addition to accepting my independence.
Carol,
I too didn’t have much of an issue regards “mahrem” while F was out adn about, he didn’t care one way or other and had everything pre-signed, but i had one terrible experience when we was in an accident and out for quite a few days, the speed in which i was isolated freaked me out. actually that triggered our move out of there, so in all the system may not be a big hindrance to western women but i hate to thik what happens in case something befals their liberal spouse.
and i’m glad we are the lucky women with liberal spouses, we picked them well carol
Radha – thanks for reminding me. I do remember you had shared that earlier and what a terrible experience. It does indeed illustrate the worse of the mahrem system.
Only one????? I would like to see a shift on the importance of outer appearances to substance. And that includes the construction industry
Hi carol again
I only want to thank you for sharing your idea and experience about Saudi arabia.
I am keeping up with you from 1 year I think, and I read and enjoy with all of your articles, (sometimes I take ur quiz but I failed
)
I am interesting to see what and how the foreign see our country.
However, I read the interview with Adam (susie’s son), it is my best blog. and save it in my favorite by the way
I would like people to get over their fear of voicing an opinion that is contrary to the accepted norms.
@Suliman – I’m glad to have you hear and welcome your views too. I’m curious…are you the same Suliman I know who had studied for a bit in the US?
Oh, yes, educational reform. Definitely. Starting with training teachers. We go straight to the root of the problem.