Jul 25 2009
Saudi Arabia - Where Religion Doubles as Law
I have just finished reading an article. At first glance the title told me that it was likely nothing serious. It was called ‘Saudi man arrested after boasting about sex on TV’. My mind quickly analysed what the article was likely about. My assumption was that in Saudi Arabia such activity as speaking publicly about sex is frowned upon and as a warning they arrested someone. Slap on the hand, let him go - end of story sort of deal.
When when I got to reading it became clear what had occurred. So many changes going on in the world now. We see so many people in the middle east nations displaying contempt for the old ways and mentalities. They seem ready to forge a new way. This young man probably took the world climate as a sign that it was as good a time as any to do his interview. One may question the wisdom, maturity, and dignity of talking about ones sex life on TV and it certainly isn’t admirable. Still in a free world we can’t always say what is right for others. Obviously we cannot consider Saudi Arabia ‘free’.
Much of the Saudi public expressed outrage at his appearance on TV based on the content of his verbal presentation. Do they not realize by them ‘turning him in’ that they are propagating so much of what is wrong in their country. I am sure it’s not desirable to live in a nation where your every move is judged and restricted by laws of religion. He has been arrested because under Shariah law you cannot speak publicly of sex and you cannot engage in pre-marital sex. This man Mazen Abdul Jawad spoke of many sexual conquests including losing his virginity to a neighbor when he was fourteen.
Even though he was arrested, this seems like a step in moving forth. Nothing will ever change if the preliminary steps are not taken. The Saudi public was likely more irritated by the content of his interview than by any actual ’sin’ - it would indeed irritate especially in a country where these things are not commonly done. It would be really simple to grasp at old mechanisms such as censorship and prohibition to stop this new activity. Methinks that censorship and restriction (especially on religious grounds) has served it’s function long enough and that it’s days are coming to an end. It has not yet been decided what type of punishment Mazen Abdul Jawad will receive for his TV appearance.
Maybe some of their people have been indoctrinated into belief that censorship is a good thing - But is it? This is the same country where recently Wajeha al-Huwaider told us how the activities of women are so severely restricted and women are treated as property. Now we see it illustrated that their nation really needs to wake up and smell the coffee. With this situation it becomes clear that they suppress the rights of all citizens with their religion as law, yet they are much harder on women.
Their older citizens grew up with religious rationalization and justification mumbo jumbo as law and are willing to accept it. The younger ones are consistently exposed to all forms of stimuli and knowledge that the previous generations were not - such as Internet and all of the social media applications that go along with that. They are indeed exposed to a whole world that their ancestors were not. I have no idea what they can see on TV there… But whatever input they are exposed to, there is no doubt they see the rest of the world enjoying many freedoms that they do not. How do you think that would go over with you?
When you read the article I have referred to (link at top), you will see that in Saudi Arabia there is no discernable difference between law and religion. There is no freedom of religion there and their law (Shariah) is based on that imposed religion (Islam). I felt a question mark looming over my head when reading the words ‘religious police’ in the CNN article. This subject matter for the most part doesn’t directly affect North Americans - yet indirectly it does. World peace begins with the peace of all nations. All nations need to be aware of what is going on all over the world. We need to be prepared to aid our brethren in other countries in paving their way to national well being. All nations need support to eliminate these prejudices created by religion from within their own boundaries. They should be free to celebrate individual differences and choices.
They should stop holding their people back with restrictions of religion. Not only is their way not a good long term strategy as the world is getting wiser - It illustrates them as of a ‘hillbilly’ backwoods sort of mentality in the world arena. No of course I am not at all inferring that people of Saudi Arabia are less of intelligence than we. Actually I am saying that the old ways - at the risk of repeating myself - feel like they are on their very last legs; and that they should move on now while the timing is right.
Perhaps it is time that in Saudi Arabia they begin to manage the nation by means of laws of justice rather than by religious ones. If Islam weren’t the law in Saudi Arabia, I truly believe that because it is what those people know as their religion, it would likely remain the religion of preference. It seems for their religion to thrive there much longer - many updates are needed now.
How did their religion evolve to replace justice? How could a religion not be a matter of choice? How can you celebrate a religion that is not of your choice? How can you celebrate a religion that takes away the freedoms that put you in line with the global norm? How can you celebrate a religion that as a woman illustrates you as being so much less than a man? How can you celebrate a religion that suggests and in some regions insists that as a woman you wear heavy coverings in such a hot region? How can you celebrate a religion that as a nation has taken away your voice? These are some logical questions that I have… And my final one is this… If Saudi Arabia wants Islam to be the religion of choice, why do they not begin a new evolution of Islam - One that all people would be proud to celebrate as their own? I dunno, just asking…
An example of how much things need to change in Saudi Arabia
@Hyder~What Islam means? We can just look at what has been carried out in the name of Islam to gather our conclusions. Nobody needs to read a book when we can watch the actions of its followers. Freedom of choice? Really? Have you read the book you want us to read?
Freedom of choice doesn’t exist in Islam. Women are subjected to rules that are outdated. I always enjoy hearing about how loving and peaceful Islam is and then hearing about women being raped by groups of men and being stoned because of the rape. How about denying women the right to an education?
I could go on and on. Enjoy America, where we have choices and can speak our minds…both men and women!!
I cannot believe you said that scotty; you literally took the words out of my mouth. I did not respond as it was my article and I didn’t want to appear anti-anything. I was really hoping that someone would speak out as you did. You said it perfectly well too.
I find it bizarre that Hyder cannot see the Islamic forest for the man made trees that are constructed to hinder women so much in so many regions. Anyway, I have always appreciated someone who doesn’t try and call a spade a pitchfork; thanks for your two cents scotty.