Stories about Saudi Arabia from November, 2008
Is Secularism the answer to Egypt's Sectarianism?
Egypt has always been known as an Islamic country where Muslims, Christians, and Jews peacefully co-existed. Today this is no longer the case. Is secularism the solution? Following is an outline of the discussion taking place on Egyptian blogs today.
Saudi Arabia: Inspirational encounters
Sabria Jawhar tells us about her experience meeting the Saudi Ambassador's wife, and a group of Saudi women studying in the UK on scholarships: ‘I have come to learn that Saudi women are real fighters and they deserve society’s care, respect and trust.’
Saudi Arabia: Lessons in morality
According to Saudiwoman's Weblog: ‘This month the Education Ministry instructed all religion teachers to spend five minutes of every class they teach to lecture students on how to dress properly and avoid western clothes.’
Saudi Arabia: Must-read blogs
Saudi Jeans gives us his 10 must-read Saudi blogs.
Saudi Arabia: Age of adulthood is now 18
Crossroads Arabia reports on legislation that has just been passed in Saudi Arabia – opposed by some religious scholars – raising the age of adulthood from 15 to 18.
Saudi Arabia: Rocking the boat
Muslimah Media Watch introduces us to an all-girl rock band – in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia: A Lesson in Buckling Up
Saudi blogger Ahmed Omar BaAbood is proud of his handiwork. He has taught his daughter Joori the importance of safety and buckling up and is collecting the dividends today.
Israel: Why isn't Twinning Week held in Saudi Arabia?
From Israel, Yisrael Medad writes about the Week of Twinning, in which mosques and synagogues across the US joined forces to confront Islamophobia and anti-Semitism and asks: “Well, why can't all of this interfaith coziness take place in…Saudi Arabia?”
Egypt: The InterFaith Conference and Arab Israeli Relations
Saudi Arabia's King Abdulla sat in the same room with Israeli political leaders for the first time ever, during the UN Interfaith conference, held in New York, US. How will this impact the Arab Israeli peace process?
Saudi Arabia: Showing true support
Nzhinga has been trying to persuade her young son that he should study and not rely on becoming a famous soccer star; after all, he might get injured and not be able to play. But her son has a solution. Jihad: “I know what I'll do! My wife will have...
Saudi Arabia: Dreaming of change
Hala, a Saudi blogger currently in the US, was invited to give a talk about the kingdom: “I wanted to say that we are moving in the right direction, faith practices are not forced on people, women are treated equally to men, we have money and we use it correctly...
MENA: How to deal with Somali piracy?
Last week a Saudi supertanker was hijacked by Somali pirates off the coast of Kenya, making it the largest ship ever to have been seized in this way. The problem of Somali piracy is growing; in this post we hear bloggers' reactions from around the Middle East.
Rain in the Middle East
It's raining in the Middle East and bloggers are taking to their keyboards to register their thoughts about the change in climate. Here's review of what some bloggers in Saudi Arabia, Libya, Kuwait, the UAE and Israel had to say about the rain.
Oman: King Abdullah's Meeting with Saudi Students Cool
Omani blogger Amjad says King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia met with Saudi students during his visit to the US. He describes the gesture as “really cool.”
Egypt: King Abdullah's Glass of Wine
A rumor has been spreading in the blogosphere, accompanied with a photograph of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia showing him seated beside US President George W Bush while holding a glass of wine in his hand. And as you all know, alcohol is prohibited in Islam, and it is a sin to drink or even stay in a place where it is being served or available. Following are reactions from Egypt.
Russia: The Crisis and the Hajj
Window on Eurasia writes: “For the first time since the end of the Soviet Union, the number of Muslims from the Russian Federation making the pilgrimage to Mecca is set to fall significantly, the result of a financial crisis that has cut incomes, increased prices and reduced private and government...
Saudi Arabia: The problem of pirates
Crossroads Arabia comments on the case of the Saudi oil tanker hijacked by pirates and now anchored off the coast of Somalia: “Perhaps we’ll be seeing Saudi naval vessels escorting the country’s own ships soon. The Royal Saudi Navy hasn’t had much of a chance to exercise its abilities, compared...
Saudi Arabia: Marriage Restrictions
Saudi Jeans is annoyed his country's 150-member Shura (consultative) Council rejected a law to simplify the regulations of Saudi marriages to foreigners. “I do not understand the harsh restrictions enforced on citizens who want to marry foreigners. Why should the government bother with who one chooses to marry?” he asks.
MENA: Blogs and a social revolution
Saudi blogger, Esam Mudeer, clipped from CNN Arabic, an article asking -in light of last week's major events in the Arab world- if Arab blogs might lead a social revolution in the region.
Saudi Arabia: Hunger Strike Draws Attention to Jailed Reformers Plight
Saudi Arabia's human rights activists started a two-day hunger strike to draw attention to the plight of 11 reformers and activists languishing in Saudi jails without trial - or access to a lawyer. Read on to find out how social networking site Facebook has been instrumental in informing the world about the struggle.
The Middle East's Generation Facebook
What will the Middle East look like 25 years from now? That was the assignment the World Policy Journal gave Mona El Tahawy for their 25th anniversary edition. Mona decided to have some fun and imagine. This is what she came up with, mixing real people in imaginary scenarios in 2033. Who knows? They might come true!
