Latest posts by Ayesha Saldanha from August, 2008
Saudi Arabia: Independent women
While there are no doubt restrictions for women living in Saudi Arabia, they do not necessarily match the oppressive image that many foreigners have of the country. In this post we have advice for women wanting to visit Jeddah alone, a review of a women-only hotel in Riyadh, and a plea to those foreigners who feel they want to speak on behalf of oppressed Saudi women.
Bahrain: The high cost of Ramadan
Bahraini blogger Yagoob describes the effect of inflation on the holy month of Ramadan.
Saudi Arabia: Growing fewer dates
Saudi Jeans tells us about date-growing in Saudi Arabia: “Growing dates has become a dying profession.”
Bahrain: Fifth of population living in poverty
Bahraini blogger Mahmood reports that 20 per cent of Bahrainis are living below the poverty line.
Saudi Arabia: The history of salons
Saudiwoman explains how many tailors’ shops turned into beauty salons in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia: Criticism for the sake of it
At a social gathering, Saudi blogger Broken Wing meets an annoying woman who is full of criticism of Saudi Arabia: ‘I am not a fan of what Saudi offers to its citizens, but I don’t find sitting around in a place full of people from other countries and start criticizing...
Saudi Arabia: Off the road
Desert Flower, an American Muslim living in Saudi Arabia, is tired of not being permitted to drive: ‘…it gets down right stupid when you have to schedule an appointment to go grocery shopping or to get to the pharmacy or the doctor for that matter.’
Palestine: Saving water
Alajnabiya, an American Muslim living in Palestine, describes how she copes with constant water shortages in the West Bank. She says: “Much as I love flowers, flushing the toilets is a higher priority.”
Palestine: Boats break siege of Gaza
The latest news on the two boats attempting to sail to the Gaza Strip as an act of solidarity is that they have reached Gaza, despite earlier warnings that they might not be permitted to do so. Bloggers have reacted to the action with both excitement and concern.
Bahrain: Celebrating the Imam Al-Mahdi’s birth
In the middle of the Islamic month of Sha’aban, the month before Ramadan, festivities take place all over Bahrain celebrating the date of Imam Al Mahdi’s birth. The occasion is called Nasfa [Ar], and it is not just a Shiite religious feast, but an event celebrated by Bahrainis of all communities.
Kuwait: Missing romance
Kuwaiti blogger Shopa reports on a surprising conversation with her mother about romance.
MENA: Refused Gaza Fulbright students speak
A few weeks a group of students from the Gaza Strip who were due to go to the United States on Fulbright scholarships had their visas revoked at the last moment. Two of the students who were denied the chance to pursue their studies have since written heartfelt letters pleading their case.
Saudi Arabia: Can non-Muslims practise their faith here?
American Bedu, who lives in Saudi Arabia, asks the question: “I’m not Muslim. Can I practice my faith in Saudi Arabia?”
Saudi Arabia: Unhappy in Riyadh
After three years in the USA, Saudi blogger Aysha Alkusayer is having trouble readjusting to life in Riyadh, especially when she is not busy with work. She says: “To console myself tonight I am promising the following: I will not age in this city nor will I die in it.”
Saudi Arabia: It's all in the name
It is common practice for converts to Islam to adopt Muslim names. But is it necessary - and what kind of name is appropriate? One Saudi blogger ponders the question, while some others are thinking about the use of aliases in the blogosphere - and yet another encourages the government to 'name names'.
Saudi Arabia: Review of Saudi blogs
American Bedu, an American living in Saudi Arabia, reviews some Saudi blogs written in English in this post.
Palestine: H Daboor at the Islamic University
Gazan blogger Nostalgia parodies the recent Egyptian comedy H Daboor in a critique of Islamist trends in Gaza today.
Palestine: Is literature in Gaza dead?
With the death of Mahmoud Darwish, the Arab world has mourned the loss of one of its greatest poets. However some Palestinians have been critical of Darwish. One Gazan blogger can't understand this, and he asks what has happened to literature and creativity in Gaza today.
Saudi Arabia: Is a housemaid necessary?
For many who live in the Gulf, employing a housemaid is a normal part of life. One Saudi blogger who prefers not to has been facing much criticism.
Bahrain: Strange numbers, strange calls
Bahraini blogger Icon was having a sleepless night – and to make matters worse received two very strange phone calls in the early hours of the morning…
Saudi Arabia: Whither Saudi blogging?
Saudi Arabia has a large and active blogosphere, in which all kinds of voices and opinions can be heard, including opinions that cannot be expressed in the country's media. But can blogging play a bigger role in changing Saudi society? One blogger poses the question.
