Coincidentally, I read two books on Saudi Arabia recently. One is a tale of a Saudi princess called Princess (an amazing true story) and another is a memoir of a British Muslim doctor who worked in Saudi Arabia. When I was reading them, I could not believe that such suppression is possible in any part of the world. And believe me, I’ve read books on Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, but Saudi Arabia takes the cake in being the most oppressive to its women.The human rights situation of women is deplorable in this country. The country practises the toughest and most orthodox form of Islam called Wahabism and combines the laws with traditional tribal customs to make lives miserable for most women. Just to give you an idea. Women are not allowed to drive. They are not allowed to vote. Their education is minimal mostly religious. They have to be in full veil at all times outside the house. They have no individual say in matters of marriage, child custody, divorce. A woman is a man’s property and ownership passes on from a father to husband to son. In short, the laws and their interpretations are loaded against the women. If you wish to read more see this link.It is disturbing to read that this is actually happening, and no one can really help these poor souls. Being an Indian, I understand all about “izzat” or honor and certainly, we have our own traditions and customs, in some smaller towns and villages very oppressive too. But, change is happening, and I am confident that the pace will be greater with the passage of time. Each one of us should be aware that change is essential and must happen with the times. And that suppressing half your population is hardly going to serve you in the long term. For the sake of decency and humanity, I hope that sane voices will be heeded in these parts of the world. If you find time, do read these books.
Wow I had no idea about this.. it”s so sad that the men still think like this. A family friend of my sister’s came to visit, he is from pakistan and he insults women. He says such demeaning things right infront of us like we are nothing. I think it’s time for them to wake up and realize that women are just as important as the men!
their plight is seriously sad, in fact the release of these books itself is a major surprise.
Anyways I have been looking for some memoirs and I am glad you’ve given us a suggestion. Thanks. It’s time to go searching!
@Emmy I know, it is pretty sad. And, your experience was very bad too. I am surprised that a guest irrespective of his beliefs behaves in this manner in your house.
@Vijay I think you will like reading those, and this is seriously some very sad stuff happening.
Nice book review, would surely look for it and read it.
Well in our country too many women although highly educated and capable, still prefer to stay quiet without protesting bearing all the insults heaped on them. It is surprising that in that country maybe they cannot do much for freeing themselves of this kind of oppression, but why should some women in our country too still live in hell without protesting.
And they are not just Muslims there other women too who are silently suffering under the dominance of ruthless and backward thinking men.
Women are treated no different than animals in Saudi Arab….sad truth
I heard about the oppression in Saudi Arabia against women. But didn’t think that it was this much strong..
Thanks for pointing these two books out to me – I will keep an eye out for them. We in the west take so much for granted.
not commenting fm here haha
Hi. Have read Princess many years ago. Was a shocking read no doubt. And definitely, the issues which you have mentioned are of great concern. But, I think ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ was better written.
thnks to the oi;l money saudis spread wahabism all ovr d world… its quieet disturbin…strangely there r no much dissident voices even
Well written Rachna! I have read the book Princess, I thought it was called Black Princess and loved it for the courage the Princess had to share her story…
It makes me grateful for the freedom I have and enjoy.
~ NRIGirl
@rama There are women who put up with abuse despite being financially independent due to societal compulsions, worry about kids’ futures, a conservative upbringing, lack of own family support, low self worth and so on. There are umpteen factors why women stay in bad marriages.
@A That’s true, A. There are a lot of strong things that I wanted to say but my intention is not to offend anyone. So, I reserve my extremely critical comments.
@Tomz It is so horrible that you cannot imagine. I just pointed a few, the worse ones are there in the book.
@Jane Not only you in the West but people like me also take this freedom that I have for granted. Makes me shudder reading this stuff.
@Deepa I liked both of Khaled Hosseini’s books and “A thousand Splendid Suns” is a wonderful book of the same genre — Very depressing too!
@Jon True, the rich guys rolling in oil money enjoy friendship with countries like US and do horribly on human rights account. Some women want to raise their voices, but it is so difficult in that rigid patriarchal setup and those living there can certainly not hope to publish something like this.
@NRIGirl It makes me grateful too but sad that though we have heard their story, how can we help them? This is a Princess, imagine how a common girl there suffers.
@Ramesh I understand. I am sure, you are aware of these things.
Makes me cherish the freedom and respect that I have.
But Rachna we feel bad because we have seen a better life. Those who live in these conditions are quite satisfied because they havent seen anything better.
There are educated women who practise Wahabism without any complaints. they are quite happy with their lives. They go ahead with their kids, their friends and the other wives of their husband.
Something akin to an abused wife who still respects her husband because he is after all the pati-parmeshwar.
@Bhagyashree What you say is right partially. When one has been brought up in this conservative manner and has not seen better then they are reconciled to this life or even happy in it. But, there are lots of women who are rebelling, and these guys are very harsh on the rebellious lots. They have inhuman punishments for infidelity, perceived fault in rape, marrying for love etc. Some years back, a bunch of women had driven around Riyadh as a mark of protest. Each one of them was hunted down by the religious police and they and their families were tormented. Maybe, the women are unable to voice their dissent in the face of severe and cruel punishments. But, certainly no woman will be happy to be married off at 14 or 15 to old men where there are already 2 or 3 wives with children and grandchildren. It is a demented setup.
And we thought the women in india has it bad.
sad situation but there is not much people can do about it .. Other then the ones in those countries since outside influence is a strictly no no there …
Sad very sad
Bikram’s
I would love to read both the books you suggested.What shocks me more is news in between that there is a section of women in Saudi Arabia who do not want radical changes.
@bikram You rightly pointed that out. And those in that country especially the men in positions of power hardly seem to be doing anything. It is so horrible.
@Kavita True. I cannot imagine the level to which certain women have been brainwashed to actually like this subservience. But a larger number wants freedom.
I also read 2-3 books about these countries and then I realised how lucky I am to be living in India..one of my relative used to stay there and used to tell us all the stories…After reading one book I got so scared of their men that I dont want to go there even as a tourist.
@renu True, I would not go to this place if it was the last place on earth. They actually don’t encourage tourists either.
yes rachna I had heard about this too.I can never ever imagine living a life like that!The worst part is even the indian ladies who go there have to live that life!they need to wear burkhas or viels and cover themselves.That’s what I heard.India even the remote villages can be expected to make progress some time later in the furutre in terms of liberation of rights of woman and also their education;but saudi and certain other parts cannot probably overcaome these drawbacks as it is not only about awareness ,but also their religious rituals binding them.
Yes, women have no say/rights on any matter there. Its sad, a god forsaken place.
We got to think of those women when we complain here and ask for reservations.
Recently a women activist who was fighting for driving rights for women in Saudi got caught by the rule of law. Wonder what they would do with her
@raji Yes, they enforce their laws on expats or visitors too. Yes, orthodox religious beliefs coupled with tribal customs is making life miserable for women there.
@Insignia Oh, they have terrible punishments from lashes to stoning. A few years back they had hunted down each woman who defied no driving ban and then socially ostracized her family, spread malicious rumors about her izzat and such measures.
hey thanks ya
I had read a book, Mayada—Daughter of Iraq which gave an insight of how women are treated in Iraq. Apparently Saudi Arabia is no less than Iraq.
I have already read the Princess… Its one of my favorite books so far.. There are other books by the same author about Arabian women…too… !!
@Emreen I do hope to read the other books soon too.