Job Discussion Forums

The_Prodiigy · Joined: 01 Apr 2006 Posts: 252

As an example, in Al-Faisalyah Tower during mid-morning prayer Mattawah will herd people into the places of worship and stores will shut down.

These religious zealouts, dressed opulently with gold brading on their clothing intimidate people into fulfilling their religious obligations.

A student was berated for wearing over-fashionable clothes. In essence, his T-shirt was too tight.

It is at best inconvenient. Others have suggested it is oppressive.

You are not allowed to openly fraternise with the opposite sex. Naturally, it is impossible to subjugate all subjects. With the help of internet and mobile phones there are some opportunities available.

Believe what you like, Cleopatra. I was living and learning in this place for more than a year.

Isn't life so care-free and culturally diverse there ?

Cleopatra · Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 7:52 am Post subject:

Interesting that Prodigy no longer tries to sustain the bit he made up about women not being able to take taxis in Riyadh.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Prodigy is correct for Riyadh and prayer time. I have seen the Muttawa rip a public telephone out of the hands of a BanglaDeshi who was calling home after the call to prayer.

A Saudi friend of mine was stopped while driving at prayer time, by the Muttawa. He was taken to the local muttawa station, beaten up, robbed and imprisoned for the night.

I have personally been involved in a car chase at top speed to get away from a GMC of muttawas who were trying to arrest my Morrocan passenger who was wearing a silver identity bracelet.

Now, this is Riyadh. All of these occurrences would be most unusual in Dhahran, or Jubail, let alone Jeddah where the muttawa normally keep indoors.

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

How long ago was this SJ? I had heard that the mutawwa of Riyadh have been rather quiet for the last couple years.

VS

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

1993-1995 Tends to go in waves 1993-1997 they were on a roll; then there was a retreat that seems to have continued up till now.

The_Prodiigy · Joined: 01 Apr 2006 Posts: 252

Women in The Desert should be granted the right to drive.
An amnesty could be provided, all men banished from roads.
Driving standards could not be more hazardous than they are in Riyadh.
Driving haphazardly represents one of the few ways that people can express themselves and show individuality.

I once asked a student why females were not allowed a car. Surely it wasn't a control thing, I wondered.

"We have to protect what is precious," he answered solemnly.

I nodded.

"If our women were allowed to drive they would be attacked," he continued. Two thoughts bafflingly contradictory to each other.

Cleopatra, unlike The Desert you are free to think whatever you like.

The_Prodiigy · Joined: 01 Apr 2006 Posts: 252

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

ignorant me here. Is the wearing of necklaces and bracelets forbidden?

Cleopatra · Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2006 9:15 am Post subject:

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

james van cleave · Joined: 25 May 2005 Posts: 59

I was under the impression that the situation had improved in KSA, as far as Westeners are concerned. My friends working for BAE are allowed to cross into Sodom (Bahrain) whenever they choose-it wasn't like this in my day. Satellite TV and the internet are everywhere, although restricted.
All in all, KSA is tolerable if you're making big money-if not, forget it.

The_Prodiigy · Joined: 01 Apr 2006 Posts: 252

[quote= women in KSA cannot take taxis. They can and do.[/quote]

With a suitable chaperone.
Otherwise, they risk the wrath of religious police.

Something that Saudi society can be proud of - women using a cab if they want to. It gives a lucid indication of how progressive this sociey is.

Often enlightening to chat to drivers to discover their impressions of Saudi society. Wink

KSA-UK · Joined: 03 May 2005 Posts: 31 Location: Sandy Arabia

I think The prodigy should go out of his Alice in Wonder Land compound.
In Riyadh, where life is more strict than anywhere in Saudi Arabia, Women take cabs, men are not forced to pray in mosques, and the Mullah Omar doesn't hit you with a stick if your beard is not of regular length...his description of Saudi Arabia is more of a Fox news report ...
Be careful, the Mutawa are watching you!! Evil or Very Mad

Cleopatra · Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 9:20 am Post subject:

I still am not sure if Prodigy is pointlessly and foolishly trying to defend the nonsense he wrote about single women not being able to take taxis. It is certainly possible that he is, although it's equally likely that he is one of the many "Western" men who seal themselves away in their compounds and male-only workplaces, and simply have no clue about the reality of women's lives in KSA. Maybe I should give him the phone numbers of all my female friends who take taxis to and from work every single day, without a 'chaperone' in sight? #Something tells me our Prodigy could do with talking to a woman every so often.