tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569425364802315563.post2800127573212798242..comments2024-03-29T09:13:15.326+03:00Comments on SUSIE of ARABIA: Land of Contrasts & ContradictionsSusie of Arabiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13315336613944665651noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569425364802315563.post-19050408390352790942010-01-30T00:55:45.416+03:002010-01-30T00:55:45.416+03:00Susie... is it just me or do I detect a certain......Susie... is it just me or do I detect a certain... utter weariness in the cultural differences and resentment of your role as a woman there? My heart goes out to you as from reading your blog... as open minded as I am... I dont think I could ever accept the cultural differences as a woman were I to move from the US to KSA. <br /><br />Ive lived in 3 different countries as a teacher and in each of them I saw my status decline as a woman... I have heard your tone in my own voice when i was just... tired... and wanted to come home. As much as we try to be culturally relatavisitic there are just times you got to think, no thats just plain silly... and call it the day.<br /><br />I hope you are laughing long and often for humor is the only way to deal with such monumental change...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569425364802315563.post-24008788974793835532009-12-19T15:51:06.528+03:002009-12-19T15:51:06.528+03:00Oh, Susie...I sincerely sympathize with you... Bei...Oh, Susie...I sincerely sympathize with you... Being a woman from such a different culture and coming to live in Saudi Arabia is really tough...<br />we lived in America for a few years, and when we came back, my mother (though a Saudi) took a whole year to adjust!<br />I have an explanation for everything you have discussed here, but I wonder why doesn't your husband explain these things to you? <br />I might translate this post if you don't mind (keeping your name ananymous if you wish)...it's very sad that we Muslims and Saudis don't give enough support and explanations to the new and/or non-Saudi Muslims ... on behalf of all Saudis and Muslims...forgive us...and may Allah forgive us for not portraying our religion the right way...<br />but just put in mind that Saudi Arabia is NOT Islam...and like many Christians, many Muslims are not good followers of their religion..<br /><br />ThanksMaha Noor Elahihttp://mahanoor.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569425364802315563.post-48013090891226663522008-08-31T00:39:00.000+03:002008-08-31T00:39:00.000+03:00Hi Americana!Welcome! I think this country is a g...Hi Americana!<BR/>Welcome! I think this country is a great place to raise kids. I just know how hard it has been on my son moving here at age 14 though. The culture shock and difference in his quality of life has been very difficult. If we had moved here before he started school I think it would have been much easier for him at this point in his life. <BR/>I agree with you that Saudi Arabia is more civil and moral than the USA, but Americans who have never been here would have a hard time believing it just because of their limited knowledge. <BR/>Thanks so much for your comment.Susie of Arabiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13315336613944665651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569425364802315563.post-18421989808499841722008-08-30T22:29:00.000+03:002008-08-30T22:29:00.000+03:00Thanks for your post. As an American muslim woman ...Thanks for your post. As an American muslim woman living in the US I find the numerous contradictions of the nation's stated morals, and values versus the people's behavior. I think that this is just a case of an outsider noticing what wouldnt be noticed if you were a native. I want so badly to live, and raise my children in Saudi Arabia that at times it makes me cry. I don't see any of the laws of Islam as restrictive, but civil and moral. I feel lucky as a muslim woman living in a non-muslim nation to have Islam. Nonetheless I find your words quite interesting, and I get nostalgic reading them. Keep asking questions, and dont be afraid to think outside of your box.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569425364802315563.post-64138990317001266092008-08-06T06:54:00.000+03:002008-08-06T06:54:00.000+03:00Welcome to my blog, Cairo Gal and Soapy Mom!Thanks...Welcome to my blog, Cairo Gal and Soapy Mom!<BR/>Thanks so much for commenting. I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying what you have read so far. <BR/>As for referring to the country as just "Arabia," years ago when I met my husband in his rebellious youth, he was adamant about calling it just "Arabia," so I guess I got into this habit because that's what he preferred.<BR/>And regarding the conversion to Islam, I wouldn't say that I have wholeheartedly embraced it, as there are many things I do not know, understand, or agree with at this point. We'll see...Susie of Arabiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13315336613944665651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569425364802315563.post-59094541346508063192008-08-06T06:14:00.000+03:002008-08-06T06:14:00.000+03:00I've happened upon your blog through a couple of o...I've happened upon your blog through a couple of other blog links. Your comments (and insight) are truly amazing. I've read several entries and although it is past my bedtime I can't quit reading! I am a bit surprised that you have converted to Islam after reading this particular entry. I'm anxious to read more.Teresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09028107053575111027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569425364802315563.post-85920646395522007822008-03-08T05:15:00.000+03:002008-03-08T05:15:00.000+03:00I'm new to your blog, Susie. I've lived in the UAE...I'm new to your blog, Susie. I've lived in the UAE and Egypt, so I can relate to certain elements of your blog. <BR/><BR/>One thing I noticed from post to post is your use of the word "Arabia." When living in the UAE we always shortened it to "saudi" which the English speakers pronounced like "Sow-dee," and I presumed this was taken from the Arabic "Saudia." The word "arabia" conjurs up Ali Baba and other tales. My father used to use it to describe my life life in Sharjah, UAE 10 years ago. He said people in work understood "Arabia" but many at the time hadn't heard of the UAE.Susan https://www.blogger.com/profile/06455506176926199209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569425364802315563.post-75269365305492894002008-02-17T08:25:00.000+03:002008-02-17T08:25:00.000+03:00To Anonymous - Thanks for writing. I do accept th...To Anonymous - <BR/>Thanks for writing. I do accept that we are all just human - I have just always had a problem with people who have "holier than thou" attitudes, no matter what religion they might be. My big problem with the Mutaween is that they are the "judge, jury and executioner," yet they don't have to answer to anyone except Allah, which is the way I feel it should be for everyone. What does it say about a religion that needs religious police who intimidate and force its followers into submission? I would want to follow a religion and its teachings because it is my choice. I don't agree with having religious police - who are human after all - to make sure that people follow the religion. It minimizes for me how wonderful Islam really is - Islam shouldn't need or have religious police if it is such a great religion. Doing so belittles the religion itself.Susie of Arabiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13315336613944665651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569425364802315563.post-32435255964877159772008-02-15T05:40:00.000+03:002008-02-15T05:40:00.000+03:00Hi, I just read part of you blog and it is quite i...Hi, I just read part of you blog and it is quite interesting. As a western muslim I have raised the same questions/contradiction you have when seeing and experienceing Islam in KSA. What I suggest you do is accept that we are all human who do wrong things (sin), and not to compare individual sins to islam. If the religious police smokes it is their business. They are doing wrong, end of story. We are not perfect. It is not Islam that is wrong or contradictory, just mankind.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569425364802315563.post-67151478363328712352008-02-10T01:42:00.000+03:002008-02-10T01:42:00.000+03:00To Ann - Thank you for your input and explanations...To Ann - <BR/>Thank you for your input and explanations regarding several topics I brought up. I appreciate your taking the time to address them. You have been here so much longer than I and have developed understanding where I am still in awe and wonder. <BR/>SusieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569425364802315563.post-75790311503929302242008-02-09T18:19:00.000+03:002008-02-09T18:19:00.000+03:00Hi Susie,I saw your comment at Nzingha's and have ...Hi Susie,<BR/><BR/>I saw your comment at Nzingha's and have been enjoying reading your blog. I came to Kuwait 16 years ago for work, and eventually became Muslim and later got married here. I've been to Saudi many times (in fact, we just got back last week), and I'm glad that you're showing people a side that they usually don't see - i.e., that there are regular people there who live and work and visit family, and enjoy themselves.<BR/><BR/>There are various reasons for the contradictions, and it would take a long time to discuss them all... But in a Muslim society, there are things that people do because they're Islamic, things that are cultural but thought to be Islamic just because their family's always done them, and things that definitely aren't Islamic.<BR/><BR/>For example, smoking is considered either haram (forbidden) or disliked, depending on the scholar. Usually, strictly religious people don't smoke, but many others do.<BR/><BR/>Most scholars say that music (except drums) is prohibited, for various reasons. Many people listen to music anyway... A wedding put on by a religious family might not include music, and religious women might avoid going to weddings which have it. (Reciting Quran is very different from singing, though.)<BR/><BR/>Women shouldn't wear makeup and tight clothes in front of men (except certain unmarriageable relatives). There might be satellite channels which show heavily made-up singers all day, but that doesn't mean it's OK Islamically. <BR/><BR/>Women are allowed to wear kohl on their eyes, because it's considered to have medicinal benefits. Some of them think that since that's allowed, then they can wear eyeliner and mascara, etc. - because they never actually learned what the ruling is and why (or they don't care).<BR/><BR/>Many scholars say that photographs and portraits are forbidden except when necessary for IDs, etc. They do not think it's OK Islamically to have portraits of kings and princes everywhere, but they may not feel comfortable saying so. <BR/><BR/>Many people think that whatever is done in Saudi is according to Islamic law (maybe because just about every news article about Saudi reports something that's done and then says that Saudi follows Islamic law, even if what's being reported is totally against Islamic law). In fact, some things there are Islamic and some aren't. It's difficult sometimes - but very important - to distinguish between what's Islamic and what's cultural.Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17645722685033366631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569425364802315563.post-80497623657790149432008-01-26T21:26:00.000+03:002008-01-26T21:26:00.000+03:00My husband was ready to come home and has picked u...My husband was ready to come home and has picked up right where he left off. The only thing that really rattles him here is the horrific traffic.Susie of Arabiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13315336613944665651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569425364802315563.post-90356947970846742482008-01-26T15:41:00.000+03:002008-01-26T15:41:00.000+03:00Very interesting; I also wonder how your husband h...Very interesting; I also wonder how your husband has been re-adapting to Saudi Arabia after having spent so many years in the USA.Umm Ibrahimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01854841403985663983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569425364802315563.post-37696721570493730742008-01-25T21:57:00.000+03:002008-01-25T21:57:00.000+03:00This comment has been removed by the author.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01002509040578028950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569425364802315563.post-26107275689174120852008-01-22T20:49:00.000+03:002008-01-22T20:49:00.000+03:00Susie, there's a new game sweeping the internet. I...Susie, there's a new game sweeping the internet. It's called MeMe'd. I've tagged YOU and linked to your blog from my blog, Kristie Leigh Maguire's Internet Highway. Here are the rules of the game. I hope you play along. :)<BR/>Kristie of the U.S.A.<BR/><BR/>The Rules of MeMe'd: <BR/>Link to the person who tagged you. Post the rules on your blog. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.Kristie Leigh Maguire - Indie Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04097695291926157337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569425364802315563.post-45564996487464287052008-01-21T17:54:00.000+03:002008-01-21T17:54:00.000+03:00While living in Saudi, I too felt confused at all ...While living in Saudi, I too felt confused at all the contradictions. I never came to terms with them.<BR/><BR/>As to riding in a taxi, it wasn't allowed for ONE woman to go somewhere in a taxi alone; it had to be at least TWO women riding in a taxi. <BR/><BR/>As a Western woman living in Saudi, I did not have to wear the face or head veil. However, I did have to wear the abaya when I went out of my Western compound and I had to carry a hair covering in case the religious police hit me on the legs with their sticks and told me to put it on.<BR/><BR/>One of the things that I learned, as a Western woman living in Saudi, was to bite my tongue until it bled to keep myself from saying things or reacting in a way that would have immediately caused not only myself but my working husband to be expelled from the Kingdom.<BR/><BR/>Kristie Leigh Maguire<BR/>http://kristieleighmaguire.blogspot.com/Kristie Leigh Maguire - Indie Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04097695291926157337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569425364802315563.post-23572679206412132922008-01-21T07:35:00.000+03:002008-01-21T07:35:00.000+03:00Very interesting to read your observations of the ...Very interesting to read your observations of the culture and its contradictions. Keep writing - I look forward to each new chapter.<BR/>BillieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569425364802315563.post-67608677832449290312008-01-21T00:55:00.000+03:002008-01-21T00:55:00.000+03:00Not knowing much at all about the country and the...Not knowing much at all about the country and the customs, I really found this story to be fascinating. I envy your opportunity to experience such a drastic change. I'm sure it is really hard to follow all the rules without having the opportunity to question them or make any changes. I would think that part of living there would be extremely frustrasting - especially for us American women who have a mind of our own and have NEVER been afraid to use it or express or views . . . <BR/>I hope you are well and happy. Please continue to send your blogs - I really look forward to them. Take Care and God Bless You! <BR/>Love ya - TinaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3569425364802315563.post-8876646101787518762008-01-21T00:47:00.000+03:002008-01-21T00:47:00.000+03:00I think it’s wonderful that you have pointed out t...I think it’s wonderful that you have pointed out the contrasts without being critical – just “confused”. Human nature and cultural bias would have one viewing these differences as “wrong” – I sense here it is a conversation.<BR/>That said, I am concerned at some point you may find them difficult to accept and live with, as the differences are very unique from<BR/>your own US culture. However – for now they are curious things encountering along the way. It would be interesting to hear what<BR/>Adnan is feeling about being home after so many years away? Is it “just like riding a bicycle” or is it somewhat difficult to go back<BR/>to ways he knew long ago? I believe he probably feels both – but as a man, in a man’s culture, it’s his concern for how you are doing that is the real concern….<BR/>I am a little worried (paranoid) about your public admission in the blog (and photo) of doing the forbidden driving and dressing as a man… perhaps you would be mildly chastised…but I don’t know how big of a “haram” that is as far as punishment. My friend who lived in Saudi said she hoped you would not be discovered doing that as the punishment could be severe. <BR/>Keep writing. This is so fascinating. Best to all of you!<BR/>LucindaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com