Job Discussion Forums

johnslat · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 1:32 pm Post subject:

Dear veiledsentiments,

"But I suspect that they look at it as an example of that terrible Saudi system that is so abusive to women . . ."

And the downside . . . .??? Very Happy

Regards,
John

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

The issue is the totality of their focus. It is a website dedicated to the continuation of blind US support for you-know-who.

VS

johnslat · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 3:40 pm Post subject:

Dear veiledsentiments,

Oh - I thought the issue was the video itself.

Regards,
John

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

No... my issue is with MEMRI and wanting to why it is the only place that it can be found.

VS

johnslat · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 4:40 pm Post subject:

Dear veiledsentiments,

Well, even a stopped clock is right twice a day Very Happy

.

Does the video make the mutaween look silly? Yup. Does it bring the attention of many in the world to some of the restrictions that are placed on adult women in Saudi? Yup.

But it also shows a Muslim woman "mad as hell and not taking it anymore", and the actions of the cops showed me that the power of the mutawwen is on the decline.

When I first got there in 1980, the mutaween carried sticks and would beat people they deemed to be offending their standards (and no cops would intervene.)

I'd say progress is being made. And I think that reflects well, rather than badly, on the Kingdom.

Regards,
John

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I have bigger things to worry about - and I spent 17 years in KSA. VS - why does it agitate you so much ?

Grendal · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 12:07 pm Post subject:

One scene in that video looks like it's from Granada Mall food court, family section. If this is the case than I am surprised to see the mutawa there. Many women there are free to walk around without the hijab. I know because my madame takes off her head scarf as soon as she walks in the mall.

As for nail polish I am totally confused what that has to do with store closing hours for prayer, which is what their (mutaweenies) original designation was.

I dread talking with those freak religious fanatics anyways. One day in another mall close to IKEA in Riyadh one of these aberrations approached me saying " brother, brother please tell your madame to cover her hair'. I am not his brother and in no way, shape, or form would like to be or even consider being. He was talking to my wife through addressing me. I just said "mafi inglisi" and walked away holding my wife's hand and leading her away from their presence.

There were no police though and we just exited the mall anyways and never returned there, ever, ever again.

Grendal

Grendal · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 12:25 pm Post subject:

2buckets · Joined: 14 Dec 2010 Posts: 515 Location: Middle East

New York Times covers it:

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/05/a-rebuke-for-saudi-morals-officer-who-chastised-woman-wearing-nail-polish/

mashkif · Joined: 17 Aug 2010 Posts: 178

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I suppose that some will like it because it confirms their bias. These same people probably think that Raphael Patai is a "sociologist." Laughing

Personally I prefer a more balanced approach... hard to find in these times of heated partisanship.

VS

johnslat · Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2012 5:01 pm Post subject:

Dear veiledsentiments,

These days, I think the only way to get a "balanced approach" is to scan and evaluate both ends of the spectrum (which is about al these is out there now) and find the balance yourself Very Happy

.

Regards,
John

Betrayer of Hope · Joined: 08 Aug 2011 Posts: 72 Location: in a dark place

The head boss for the muttaween issued a statement following the nail polish incident. See link below for details.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/saudiarabia/9316616/Saudi-head-of-religious-police-criticises-agents-for-handling-of-nail-polish-row.html

vorticity · Joined: 23 Aug 2010 Posts: 35 Location: The Eurasian Plate

Oh dear. How blatantly and unashamedly patronising. Like.. who cares what a bunch of demagogue EFL teachers think of Saudi Arabia? And who says they should or even want to subscribe to your liberalistic and permissive ways? The converse of this situation would be a forum bitching about the evils of the west and how they must be liberated from their own lowly desires ; ironically, one which you might view as a 'threat to your way of life'. The only one I can see here who appears to have a bit of shame in the whole affair is veiledsentiments. As for others, keep on bitching and see how far you get.