· October, 2008

Stories about Saudi Arabia from October, 2008

Saudi Arabia: Creating a modern mix

  25 October 2008

Saudi blogger Hala wonders about Canadian activist Irshad Manji, who is lesbian, feminist, and Muslim: “Some choose to create a modern mix of their original values and their new ones, thus reaching a comfort zone that can enable them to access both societies with agreeable levels, but how far can...

Egypt: Laila Echoes Reverberate in the Land of the Nile

  22 October 2008

In its third year, the Kolena Laila (We Are All Laila) campaign took a different turn, reaching out to women with no access to the Internet and giving them a chance to speak to the world. Nermeen Edrees reviews some of the voices which had a chance to be heard.

Saudi Arabia: What if the Prophet Were to Return to Saudi?

  14 October 2008

American Bedu asks: “[I]f the Prophet (pbuh) were to return to Saudi Arabia for even just one week, what would he think of what he sees today of the people? I think if he were to return during Ramadan he would be pleased in some cases but saddened and appalled...

Saudi Arabia: The Commercialisation of Mecca

  14 October 2008

American Bedu explains how commercialism is making is way to Mecca, the holiest of Islamic sites, where residents are being forced out of their apartments and homes, to make room for accommodation for pilgrims at inflated rates.

Saudi Arabia: AC Troubles

  14 October 2008

Saudi Wanderer [Ar] complains about the fluctuating temperatures and his struggle with the air-conditioner – turn it on, and you feel cold; turn it off, and you sweat.

Saudi Arabia: Ancient churches

  12 October 2008

Saudi Jeans explains that Saudi Arabia is the site of some of the oldest churches in the region, even though Christians cannot publicly practise their religion in the kingdom today.

Bangladesh: Racism faced in Saudi Embassy

  10 October 2008

A Bangladeshi blogger Juboraj was refused visa from the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Ghana and denied to perform Hajj in Saudi Arabia citing the reason that only citizens of selected countries (USA, EEU, Australia, UK etc.) are allowed to receive Saudi Visa from a third country. When he asked...

Syria: Saudi Paper Banned

  9 October 2008

Syrian-Saudi relations have reached an all low point, where even a Saudi newspaper has been banned. Sami Moubayed explains on Syria Comment.

Saudi Arabia: On Misyar

  9 October 2008

Stilettos in the Sand, from Saudi Arabia, shares her thoughts on ‘temporary’ marriages or misyar, in this post.

Saudi Arabia: Business opportunity

  9 October 2008

Aysha Alkusayer has a suggestion for anyone looking to invest in Saudi Arabia: daycare. “Here’s what’s changing in Saudi. Young couples are moving away from their family’s house to wherever their jobs might be. If both mommy and daddy are working, comes the tough part of what to do with...

Saudi Arabia: Who polices the religious police?

  8 October 2008

Susie of Arabia writes about the Muttawa, or religious police, in Saudi Arabia and asks: “Who exactly is in charge of policing the Mutawwa here and how much are they getting away with beyond their authority? I know they are only human and they make mistakes, but many of their...

Arabeyes: Here Comes the One-Eye Veil

  7 October 2008

From a veil which covers the face but allows women to show their two eyes, an Islamic scholar from Saudi Arabia is now calling for a veil which shows one eye only. Bloggers from the Arab world react.

The Blogging Revolution: from Iran to Cuba

  7 October 2008

Antony Loewenstein, a Sydney-based freelance journalist and blogger, has recently published his new book: The Blogging Revolution. This book talks about the impact of blogging on six countries: Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, China and Cuba.