tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.comments2023-09-26T02:31:13.244-07:00Sabria's Out of the BoxSabria Jawharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18201180678460647389noreply@blogger.comBlogger549125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-62824360547162330652012-09-26T05:09:32.812-07:002012-09-26T05:09:32.812-07:00The journey of a thousand miles begins with a sing...The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Keep up the good work, Dr Sabria. :)The Linoleum Surferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00827051487800854552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-28926024660726983802012-09-26T05:05:25.677-07:002012-09-26T05:05:25.677-07:00I wrote about this in Oman a while back, but as so...I wrote about this in Oman a while back, but as someone who's lived in KSA for several years too, I can only agree that the situation is just the same.<br /><br />You're right to make the point that it's a matter of culture. Imposing penalties alone is not effective, because it causes an outcry without improving driving skills. The basic problem is that nobody knows how to drive. Before you can have enforcement, you need a highway code, a police service who know how to drive, and licensed and examined driving instructors. The Linoleum Surferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00827051487800854552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-77133542889492976752012-09-26T05:00:54.887-07:002012-09-26T05:00:54.887-07:00This wastefulness is a tragedy all over the region...This wastefulness is a tragedy all over the region, and beyond. The religious point of view is also clear - where is the "Commission" enforcing this particular "virtue", I wonder? I guess it's more fun chasing women in the mall with sticks!<br /><br />This is a really admirable initiative, and an idea that I will pass on through other means now. I hope it catches on - but the principle of engaging unemployed GCC nationals in the voluntary sector, is perfect.<br />The Linoleum Surferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00827051487800854552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-77599687426119356802012-09-23T10:48:38.173-07:002012-09-23T10:48:38.173-07:00Actually, if you look at second hand cars. A car d...Actually, if you look at second hand cars. A car driven by a Saudi will fetch a much lower price than if in an expat drove it. Why? expat drivers get into fewer collisions. The more collisions the lower the price of the car. I agree, taxi drivers are some of the worst but gone are the days when we could blame road traffic accident on foreigners. We need to own up to our own deeds.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-74700028735005054222012-09-23T07:26:01.183-07:002012-09-23T07:26:01.183-07:00Fantastic news; I am so excited about women in the...Fantastic news; I am so excited about women in the Shoura! Great post.Kay Hardy Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10655646072881460264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-52021629306668521632012-06-29T09:53:45.576-07:002012-06-29T09:53:45.576-07:00hi
a well written article keep it up
all the best
...hi<br />a well written article keep it up<br />all the best<br />rdAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-10433859759965176762012-06-25T10:33:13.207-07:002012-06-25T10:33:13.207-07:00It may be overkill to fine them, but they in fact ...It may be overkill to fine them, but they in fact were on French soil, even though still going through the formalities of border control. The plane had been in French airspace and then landed on French soil. This idea of territory is why those who require a visa for a stopover country on their way to their destination must indeed get a visa even though they will remain on the plane on the tarmac during the stopover. It is also the reason one is expected to wear hijab on deplaning in Iran (though loosely enforced). For example, stewardesses who don't have proper cover must spend whatever hours the stopover lasts in the plane. <br /><br />Otherwise, I agree. Respect the laws of the country when you travel. If you don't wish to make a political point, don't blatantly transgress such a well-publicized one.Chiarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13180585636556782803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-44820414308503142592012-06-24T05:10:19.316-07:002012-06-24T05:10:19.316-07:00Personally I think nurses should be given a higher...Personally I think nurses should be given a higher salary, considering what they have to put up with. Maybe the higher salary will encourage their family members to agree to them getting the job in the first place?Average Joe Body Builderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09115054684102755614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-46139829311197925732012-06-24T05:07:28.771-07:002012-06-24T05:07:28.771-07:00how about this? have some pride for who you are an...how about this? have some pride for who you are and what you believe in and go to Malaysia for a vacation? I hear Kuala Lumpur has some very nice hotels! Even Indonesia has some very good tourist spots!Average Joe Body Builderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09115054684102755614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-36748120277518091662012-06-10T06:14:36.199-07:002012-06-10T06:14:36.199-07:00Glad to read your posts - keep them coming!Glad to read your posts - keep them coming!Kay Hardy Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10655646072881460264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-34638469380438370962011-11-30T07:25:46.326-08:002011-11-30T07:25:46.326-08:00Bless you Sheikha Sabriya! It depresses me that p...Bless you Sheikha Sabriya! It depresses me that people show so much more interest in small social issues that in the fate of a nation. I've written about these civil wars and commotions a few times and I wonder why it's not discussed more?<br /><br />I would go further than you, actually, and say that despite the obvious provocations of Qadhafi through using terrorism outside Libya, his internal enemies were extremists and tribal rivals more than a genuine popular dissatisfaction. Of course, the latter is easy to breed. But it seemed to be that having had to prevaricate over Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen and even Syria, the West was keen to be seen to be supporting a "popular revolution" somewhere. Qadhafi, unpopular with the other Arabs, easy to ridicule, and a former bogeyman, was easily put back in the stocks.<br /><br />Benghazi has been anti-Qadhafi since day one, and various other factions, whether ex Arab-Afghan Al Qaida types (one of whom is now top military commander), or historical tribal foes, have been beaten down, arrested and struggled with for decades.<br /><br />I think the resulting sponsored civil war (which, even with billions of dollars of NATO munitions could not turn Qadhafi out for six months - some popular revolution!), was a disgrace: so-called rebels openly shelling towns that did not want to desert to the rebel/rabble alliance, and complete hypocrisy over use of weapons against civilians depending on whether they had a different flag draped over them.<br /><br />But what's done is done. And you're right to point out both that the future is extremely questionable, and that the international commentators don't seem to understand the make-up of Libya in the slightest. I'd add simply, that they never have - or this war would never have been allowed to start.The Linoleum Surferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00827051487800854552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-32068577161390847742011-11-24T09:05:00.872-08:002011-11-24T09:05:00.872-08:00Dear roshan,
Shame on you. Because of people like ...Dear roshan,<br />Shame on you. Because of people like you women are not given rights in countries like this one. Because of people like you numerous women suffer and are treated as second class citizens undeserving of basic human rights. Because of people like you women in these parts of the world are illiterate and so dependent on their husbands. Again, shame on you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-85861952384739721802011-10-24T03:27:20.643-07:002011-10-24T03:27:20.643-07:00Thanks alot for your great insights and wise writi...Thanks alot for your great insights and wise writing! I follow your blog regularly and just wanted to say thanks for putting it out there! I’m originally from saudi arabia, too, and so all the issues you adress directly concern my family, too …<br /><br />anyway, thanks a bunch, and please keep up the great work!rashahttp://westoestlichediva.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-2621851582055016412011-10-03T21:19:48.422-07:002011-10-03T21:19:48.422-07:00I am a Christian, Asian woman who worked for a yea...I am a Christian, Asian woman who worked for a year in Saudi Arabia as a Management Consultant a few years ago. I was in my early 30s then, single, and living without a male guardian. Those who know Saudi society well enough might say, "Were you out of your mind?", or "Geeze, you've got some guts breaking their customs!". <br /><br />Here are my learnings from living there:<br />1. I liked wearing the abaya. I found it exotic and fashionable. It made me blend in and protected me from the curious eyes of men.<br />2. I would have wanted to wear the hijab because I also found it fashionable and exotic, but when I did, people started talking to me in Arabic. So, I had to drop it so they knew I was a foreigner.<br />3. The abaya and hijab have cultural and societal contexts too. If we, non-muslims, only classify people according to religion, and forget the cultural and societal context of our brethren, we will fail to fully appreciate each one's humanity.<br />4. True, I found that many Saudis are close-minded to the Western ways, but not all of them are like so. I worked with Saudi executives (men and women) who appreciated my work despite my gender, age, ethnicity and religion. They let their daughters drive outside the country. They talked about poetry and travel, ie they are not as uptight as your stereotype Saudi.<br /><br />More power to the Saudi women out there who assert their dignity whilst holding steadfast to the merits of their faith, family values and culture.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-16522395878696575702011-09-29T07:20:06.027-07:002011-09-29T07:20:06.027-07:00I agree with you, it's unfortunate your articl...I agree with you, it's unfortunate your articles aren't published in western media outlets like some other saudi women. I guess that's because you're not seen as "liberal" or that you don't look "westernized", just something I noticed anyways I'm not Saudi but I enjoy reading your opinion on issues that affect your country.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-78872585210614631112011-09-27T20:22:42.856-07:002011-09-27T20:22:42.856-07:00That is a wonderful news. Congratulations!That is a wonderful news. Congratulations!Mehmet Can URALhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13738046648338914137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-57453766388230588692011-09-27T03:38:15.855-07:002011-09-27T03:38:15.855-07:00I'm an American, and i disagree with the frenc...I'm an American, and i disagree with the french law because i don't think any person should be told how to dress. My problem with the burqa is that it keeps muslim men from learning that a woman is to be valued and treated like a human being, no matter WHAT she's wearing. I mean really, it makes me wonder if you really think about and consider the things written in the Koran that you follow. You say that it states that a woman should wear the burqa so she'll be recognized as a muslim and won't be 'molested'. So the koran implies that its ok to molest a non-muslim woman? Because thats what it sounds like. I see no other meaning that could be inferred from those words. If the writer of the koran wanted men to respect all women, muslim or not, then why would it advocate muslim women wear a burqa to be protected? In fact, why not come right out and say 'women, muslim or not, are not to be molested', but respected and cherished', or something along those lines? When you wear the burqa, you only enforce these outdated thoughts many muslim men have, that unless a woman is covered head to toe, she's a whore who deserves to be raped and beaten, or at the very least, jeered at, threatened, and groped. Surely if a man cant look at a MODESTLY clothed woman without behaving like a starving dog looking at a bone, its the MANs problem and deficiency of character, not the womans? Where is the passage in the koran admonishing men not to think of sex everytime they see a woman walk down the street (again, MODERATELY dressed)? I believe women should be able to wear what they like-however, i also agree that a woman wearing a low cut top and a miniskirt may bring sex to mind(note-this does NOTmake it ok to attack or disrespect her). However, a woman in pants, a tutrleneck, and a jacket, whose only skin showing is hands neck and face, is enough to be considered a whore by some muslims. Does that not seem extreme to you? If a man looks at this woman and the sight of her hands and uncovered face makes him so wild he wants to rape her, and because shes uncovered, he thinks this is acceptable because she's a 'whore' in his eyes, then again, isnt the MAN the one with the problem, not the woman? Where is the koran passage addressing this? Where is the outrage, the talk of getting men to stop seeing a normally dressed woman as a whore and wanting to attack her? These are things that bother me deeply, and i hope you'll take the time to readand think about what i'm saying.Merhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09528226425405198977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-1286945574304656462011-09-25T21:15:44.122-07:002011-09-25T21:15:44.122-07:00Congratulations to all Saudi women. I was so happy...Congratulations to all Saudi women. I was so happy when I heard the news yesterday and I am happy today as well. I will probably by happy for a few more days before I calm down. What more can I say? Good luck. And enjoy your drive up to Riyadh. Never mind paths, a dual carriageway has been opened up! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-38538845131602014222011-09-25T12:21:33.018-07:002011-09-25T12:21:33.018-07:00This is remarkable! Congratulations to the women&...This is remarkable! Congratulations to the women's movement!CaitieCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044935117452832240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-3992280945786274292011-09-25T11:07:04.884-07:002011-09-25T11:07:04.884-07:00Ameen, Sheikha Sabria, ameen.
Maybe it's wort...Ameen, Sheikha Sabria, ameen.<br /><br />Maybe it's worth guessing that the women's blogging movement also plays its part. This is a huge step, an important one, and to be acclaimed rather than met with cynicism. <br /><br />I think you need to have spent a lot of time in Saudi Arabia at least to understand exactly the strength of the social, not political forces, that make progress in women's issues slow sometimes. People underestimate how conscious traditional rulers are of having to rule with the consent of their people. Democracy is not the only way people express themselves. <br /><br />Bringing suffrage to women, and putting women alongside men in the Shura has been twenty years and a generational attitude shift in the making. This announcement is tantamount to King Abdullah's having moved a mountain. God bless him for having the political courage to do so.The Linoleum Surferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00827051487800854552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-8621368805195774202011-09-25T08:17:29.783-07:002011-09-25T08:17:29.783-07:00"literally screaming from the rooftops"?..."literally screaming from the rooftops"??!! <br /><br />I haven't seen that. Send me photos next time.Sabria Jawharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18201180678460647389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-32992243238397391342011-09-16T05:34:01.666-07:002011-09-16T05:34:01.666-07:00"So being ultra-sensitive when denied an amus..."So being ultra-sensitive when denied an amusement park ride because one is wearing the hijab is understandable. "<br /><br />Inderstandable YES .. but acceptable? NO.<br /><br />I have seen various hijabis take up demented causes based on percieved insults, nowadays they seem to be more idiotic hijabis than normal, giving us regula people going about our business a bad name. it's just a cloth on your head why make it a begin al end all of life. There's plenty of us who wear the same hijab and go about our business, no one accosts us and we don't take offense ot the smallest things.. really these women are out to proclaimtheir faith - literally screaming fromthe rooftops ,whatever happened to keep your faith between you and god.<br /><br />they need some big time lessons in manners, civility and general behavior ( the kind we teach kindergartners) and bot ar ethey loud..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-18693053835383576202011-09-09T06:36:40.937-07:002011-09-09T06:36:40.937-07:00You know, as a western woman who lived in Saudi Ar...You know, as a western woman who lived in Saudi Arabia for many years, sometimes wearing the abaya and sometimes not, I have my own opinion on this issue. While it does protect women in urban areas from harassment, it then becomes body armor. It is sad that it is needed. I also feel sad about the abaya because it blocks women from connecting with their natural environment, and limits their personal interactions with others. Decidedly, as a westerner, facial expression and body language are a key part of communication. But then I am a nature-loving, western, God-fearing westerner, so take my opinion with a grain of salt if you will. I believe women find great strength in the natural world that God created for us to enjoy and learn from, and the hijab blocks the ears, and sometimes the eyes. Also, women need Vitamin D from sunshine to fight off cancer. For these reasons, I am personally opposed to the abaya and hijab. I believe women deserve to be fully in the world without being veiled. They deserve to be respected wearing clothes that do not hide their essence. I know this is not politically correct, but thank you for considering my view. With my fondest regards to all who think deeply about this issue.Kay Hardy Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10655646072881460264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-44000335565534220012011-09-02T15:44:26.326-07:002011-09-02T15:44:26.326-07:00to above commenter:
What kind of "freedom&quo...to above commenter:<br />What kind of "freedom" is forbidding someone to wear a certain piece of clothing?<br />What does "freedom of dress" mean to you?Laylahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09517032571160920075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6197893319710396244.post-70156664863095993392011-08-30T23:59:02.574-07:002011-08-30T23:59:02.574-07:00It offends me that Muslim women come to the West t...It offends me that Muslim women come to the West to exercise their 'freedom' to wear the niqab. Keep that sort of 'freedom' away from my country.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com