Do Saudi Arabian women consider themselves to be discriminated against?
955824
The ones who understand the laws are fine with them. The thing is that many people in America and other parts of the world don't inderstand the laws set in these countries, and people always fear what they don't understand. I saw the post above me that talks about a small minority of women from KSA who 'escaped' and wrote books on their 'lives'. I am sure you can find hundreds of thousands of women in the United States that have endured discrimination in the workplace ,Schools and even at home as copmared to there male counterparts and some who have been abused physically to quite an extent.. This Does not mean that all women hold that same point of view or are treated the same. Well the truth is that there is no abuse being done to the women in Saudia Arabia, they are free todo whatever is permitted to them through religon and they have all the rights that God has given them. We talk about freedom in the US but even to this day there has not been a single female president in the US, where as islamic countires such as Pakistan and Bangladesh have had female leaders. The women in the US have this Visage of freedom whereas they still have to struggle ten times more then men to get anywhere equal to men.In the 250 or years of US Democracy We have selected the first Female as head speaker in the Senate, it has taken over 200 years , where is the equality now? Lets not forget salaries , women are paid less then men for the same jobs on average( http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/12/08/working_women_earn_less/?page=1 just one of many articles on research done), where is the equality ? All I am saying is that The east has a different way of life which has been there for the last 1400 years and it is very difficult for a person living in societies such as the US to understand the brain set of these people, we should not be so quick to judge there traditions based on a handful of scorned women. bottom line statistics are always bias and they never give the whole story. remember that saying , Believe Half of what you see and none of what you hear.
89639
Hi! I'm from India. Here, as well as in some developed Islamic nations like Pakistan, Malaysia, UAE, Turkey etc. Muslim women have lots of freedom. We can pursue higher education and are consented in marriage issues. Although we can get out and roam but still the burkah is obligatory; and yes, even for the elite class ladies. If you do not follow purdah, they stick labels on you, the other women. Many college girls these days go out without it, wear make-up, and even try some western outfits! But suddenly some religious fanatics start making an issue of it, like they did when they blew Sania Mirza's(a tennis pro)case out of proportion for wearing a sports dress too skimpy and 'anti-Islamic'. Why don't they let us wear what we are comfortable in? Also, the divorce laws inflict great injustice upon us as even in today's India, any Muslim man can end his marriage by saying 'talaaq' thrice. Then there is polygamy( my sister's husband married another woman just for her family's money) and what not......! The conclusion? That Muslim women are still in shackles.....!
860589
I agree with you... Let the women choose what they would or wouldn't like... I am planning to visit Turkey and maybe get the picture of what's going on there first hand... I was shocked for the first time some years back when watching news... A lady who was a member of the Turkish parliament entered wearing Hijab... and all the men and other people there stood up raising their voices angrily asking her to remove her Hijab or else leave the session... It was indeed very rude... And she was defiant of neither removing her hijab nor leaving the session... Imagine an educated lady going through this... Yes, UAE is a very good example where no one is forced into anything... I have been to the UAE on several occassions and did wear my Hijab... Seeing some people not wearing Hijab did not encourage me to change my mind... It should be about choice...
955666
that damn gloria allred. here's the kicker, they abuse sexual harrasment laws. \n\nmen are at times stupid, but women prove they can be just as if not more at times.  they suffer from the "why me?" syndrome that most minorities also suffer from. THe "wa, wa, wa.. Pay ME or i'll sue" syndrome
74506
That is an outright stereotype!! This is not true at all, in Islam women are equal to men and if some Muslim men oppress women that is because they are not true followers of their religion and shouldn't be considered the norm just like not all Christians follow their religion and are not representative of what true Christians are!
161533
According to my reading Islam considers men and women to be equal.  Women may work outside of the home as long as their position is not in direct contradiction to the dictates of their faith.  Women retain the right to use their earnings as they see fit and to educate themselves.  According to the Quran "And their Lord hath accepted them, and answered them: Never will I suffer to be lost the work of any of you,be he male or female: ye are members of one another..." To grow intellectually is the duty of every Muslum, man or woman. Anyway food for thought...
210230
After a bit of snooping I was unable to find any news regarding increased violence or other discriminatory actions vs. women's groups in the United States. \n\nAccording to Amnesty International, discrimination against women still exists in 36 countries.  I'll include in my sources a link to a recent example of this in Iran.\n\nHope that helps,\nArmus
712740
I'll make it easy for you. Men tend to badger and take advantage of women who wear very tight clothing. The hijab protects us against these men. That's the whole point -----> PROTECTION! It is not oppressive!!! Do you see muslims woman complaining? NO!
703113
In my experience stereotyping has no affect on a woman's actual performance.  It can and does affect the opportunities she is given to perform and the way her performance is viewed by others.  If a supervisor assumes all women are emotional and flighty he won't put them in decision making or challenging positions, this denies women a fair opportunity to show what they can do.  Human beings make mistakes, it's inevitable, that's why we have quality control procedures and redundant checks, but a man with a prejudice against women will let men slide, but, when a woman makes the same mistake under the same circumstances, he'll make an issue of how this proves that women don't belong in the work force.  I spent 20 years in the U.S. Navy, I've worked for and with women, and I've had women work for me.  My experience is that people are people, some good some bad, some talented some not, some that were a joy to work with and some I wanted to toss over the side, to evaluate a worker by anything other than performance, especially by things as meaningless as gender or skin color, is to rob you, as a supervisor, of a potentially invaluable asset.
202147
im a muslim girl and i live in a muslime society at a muslim country and i dont feel or treated as a domestic animal,for real my relegin is the most relegin that gave women thier rights and treated them like qeens
782463
THE STATUS OF WOMAN IN ISLAM\nBy Jamal A. Badawi\n\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\n\nCONTENTS\nPREFACE \n\nINTRODUCTION \n\nHISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES \n\n\nWomen in Ancient Civilization \nWOMEN IN ISLAM\n\n1. The Spiritual Aspect \n2. The Social Aspect\n(a) As a Child and Adolescent \n(b) As a Wife \n(c) As a Mother\n3. The Economic Aspect \n4. The political Aspect \nCONCLUSION \n\nBIBLIOGRAPHY \n\n\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nPREFACE \n\nFamily, society and ultimately the whole of mankind is treated by Islam on an ethical basis. Differentiation in sex is neither a credit nor a drawback for the sexes. Therefore, when we talk about status of woman in Islam it should not lead us to think that Islam has no specific guidelines, limitations, responsibilities and obligations for men. What makes one valuable and respectable in the eyes of Allah, the Creator of mankind and the universe, is neither one's prosperity, position, intelligence, physical strength nor beauty, but only one's Allah-consciousness and awareness (taqwa). However, since in the Western culture and in cultures influenced by it, there exists a disparity between men and women there is more need for stating Islam's position on important issues in a clear way. \n\nDr. Jamal Badawi's essay, The Status of Women in Islam, was originally published in our quarterly journal, Al-lttihad, Vol. 8, No. 2, Sha'ban 1391/Sept 1971. Since then it has been one of our most-demanded publications. We thank Br. Jamal for permitting us to reprint his essay. We hope it will clarify many of the misconceptions. \n\nAnis Ahmad, \nDirector Dept. of Education and Training\nMSA of U.S. and Canada \nP.O. Box 38 Plainfield, IN 46168 USA \n\nJumada al Thani 1400 April 1980 \n\n\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\n\nI. INTRODUCTION \nThe status of women in society is neither a new issue nor is it a fully settled one. \n\nThe position of Islam on this issue has been among the subjects presented to the Western reader with the least objectivity. \n\nThis paper is intended to provide a brief and authentic exposition of what Islam stands for in this regard. The teachings of Islam are based essentially on the Qur'an (God's revelation) and Hadeeth (elaboration by Prophet Muhammad). \n\nThe Qur'an and the Hadeeth, properly and unbiasedly understood, provide the basic source of authentication for any position or view which is attributed to Islam. \n\nThe paper starts with a brief survey of the status of women in the pre-Islamic era. It then focuses on these major questions: What is the position of Islam regarding the status of woman in society? How similar or different is that position from "the spirit of the time," which was dominant when Islam was revealed? How would this compare with the "rights" which were finally gained by woman in recent decades? \n\n\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\n\nII. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES \nOne major objective of this paper is to provide a fair evaluation of what Islam contributed (or failed to contribute) toward the restoration of woman's dignity and rights. In order to achieve this objective, it may be useful to review briefly how women were treated in general in previous civilizations and religions, especially those which preceded Islam (Pre-610 C.E.). Part of the information provided here, however, describes the status of woman as late as the nineteenth century, more than twelve centuries after Islam. \n\n\nWomen in Ancient Civilization \n\nDescribing the status of the Indian woman, Encyclopedia Britannica states: \n\nIn India, subjection was a cardinal principle. Day and night must women be held by their protectors in a state of dependence says Manu. The rule of inheritance was agnatic, that is descent trac
1026788
My view is that men of all cultures will make women out to be inferior so they can benefit from the power it gives them within that society. Men desire this power more in some cultures than in others.\nIf a person can be convinced they are inferior to you they will submit more easily to your will. Women are the weak gender ONLY if they are made to believe that they are.
50945
In most Asian countries a woman is still deemed as a man's property. She is taught that not covering up is a sign of shame, and of great taboos within the society (meaning not being a virgin, or commiting adultery, or being a loose woman) which would get tongues wagging and it would just all turn back against her.\nIt is a largely patriachal society where they are taught from young to be subserviant, submissive and under the mercy and law of a man's judgement and rule. \n\nThis is further emphasized in their religion where a man is the head of the family, makes all the decisions and his word is law, due to his supremacy under the eyes of their God. (Set in stone by the ruling that a man and a woman are equal, but men has a degree over them, that being the fact that they make the decisions.)\n\nAs a result, the whole society is based upon this ruling of divine law because it is a part of their religion, which is also one that governs their daily lives.\nThis has become such a norm that even if a woman wants to be independant, go out unveiled and is a feminist, she will be under the law of her husband or father, who is by law the head of the household and can demand her obedience legally.\n\nIn the more tribal or rural areas, her life depends on her ability to conform. If a woman doesn't wear a veil she is seen as a 'dishonour' to her family - women are the honour of the family and it is the man's duty to uphold it, supposedly - even the smallest spark of a rumour of her being seen with a man would have her killed.\nAn example is a report on the news a few days ago about a Pakistani man who slit the throats of his 3 daughters, one 16, the other 6 and 4. Reason was she was accused of adultery (with no proof or evidence) by her husband and the father felt "dishonoured", slit her throat, and those of her sisters because they "might follow the example of their elder sister in the future".\nThe irony is that she had wanted a divorce from her husband who was forcing her to work in a factory, when in their religion a woman is not obligated to work - she is encouraged to stay at home and assume a childbearing and childrearing role, as well as the duty of upkeeping the household and it's affairs.\n\nSuch cowardice is not unknown in these areas, where women live under a veil of subserviant fear and forced obedience, where their lives depend upon making sure no one can find any excuse to accuse her of something.\nIn the more educated areas, a woman does so because she is taught as such, ordered by her husband or father to veil herself, or she herself have chosen to do so.
332419
I do not mean to offend you or any one else, but I have read many parts of the Koran that are self-contradictory.Men have the right to beat wives who they do not find submissive (most of the men defining 'submissive' are the ones we want least defining it)and a woman's testimony is worth half a man's. Women inherit only half as much in societies where they may need it twice as much as their brothers, inasmuch some women are not allowed to work. Many of the misogynistic influences in the Middle East existed before Islam,but why are extremists hijacking this "Religion of Peace," and why are so few men standing up to proclaim, open Koran in hand, "I have found that women are equal to us, right here"? I know many brave souls are standing up to the fanatics, but...where are they?
66896
Hmmm. Since I have Muslim men friends and I know the culture a bit, I know that Muslim men want non-Muslim women only for sex and fun and companionship. Most, if not all, never intend to take the relationship anywhere past that. And any self respecting female, Muslim or non-Muslim, would not fall for you line of hooey. Oooh yeah, did I forget to mention how Muslim disrespect their women? I'm sure that's a big turn on too!
209497
i think it is not in race of a woman or of any person for that matter. i think it will all boil down to each individual's personality, perception of life, views on things and manner of carrynig herself or himself around. i am asiam and i will always refuse to be judged according to some stereotype or to be judged based on my race alone.
536923
both of the people who have answered this question are both men, not all women are the same and asking a question like that you are stereotyping all classes of women so you deserve the women you are talking about.