Opposition to Saudi Arabia's male guardianship system

[danieldemol]

“An 18-year-old Saudi woman's flight from her allegedly abusive family has rallied opposition to the kingdom's male guardianship system - with some activists predicting her story could inspire a "revolution" for women in the Muslim country.”

Read more here
'Rahaf al-Qunun is going to start a revolution': Teen's plight highlights Saudi male guardianship

 

[sun rise]

Good for her. That backward society needs to come into the 17th century at least. And maybe they can get to the 20th in 50 years.

 

[Ellen Brown]

She has gone to Canada and I hope that she will be safe there. Saudi leaders will try to kidnap her, so I do hope that the Canadians hide her effectively. I think that the "women's revolution" will not happen until the "Wahhabist minded" religious leaders are somehow discredited. It seems likely to me that they played a large part in the 9/11 attack, though I think the existing US government of the time somehow colluded with them. Or, perhaps what they did was a bit like what our President did before the start of WWII?

I'm somewhat of the sentiment that the Saud family need to go as leaders there. I don't think that "real" Islam is a big player there, since I was told by a Saudi National who stayed with me at times, that only about 1/3 to 1/4 of Saudis are even religious, and that Alcoholism is a huge problem there.

Lots of Muslims have been quietly fleeing places like Saudi Arabia, and Iran.

 

[Vinayaka]

One would hope the situation would get better, but history sadly tells us that sometimes regimes just dig in deeper.

 

[SomeRandom]

Good for her. That backward society needs to come into the 17th century at least. And maybe the can get to the 20th in 50 years.

Agreed. I hate to use the "it's the current year" phrase. But I mean enough is enough. Hurry up and catch up.

 

[SomeRandom]

One would hope the situation would get better, but history sadly tells us that sometimes regimes just dig in deeper.

It will get worse before it gets better. That's how it always goes it seems. But push people around long enough and they will fight back. It might take a few revolutions, but never give up hope.

 

[Woberts]

It will get worse before it gets better. That's how it always goes it seems. But push people around long enough and they will fight back. It might take a few revolutions, but never give up hope.

That's assuming that the revolutions aren't crushed by powers that wish to remain the top dog, i.e America.

 

[SomeRandom]

That's assuming that the revolutions aren't crushed by powers that wish to remain the top dog, i.e America.

Ahh but this could be good PR for America. If they support women led revolutions they get to play saviour of damsels in distress. What American could resist?
Course not sure if a "reformed government" will give up that sweet sweet oil America is forever drooling over. Maybe it'll be an easier sell for a revolutionised Saudi though.
Time will tell.
That said only Canada has shown to have the balls to publicly criticise Saudi Arabia over its treatment of women. Which is funny to me considering how they're known for being exceedingly polite.

(Americans please note I'm not criticising you or your government. Just commenting on your international reputation is all.)

 

[Firemorphic]

What about just opposing Saudi Arabia in general though? If I could have my way, the Wahhabis would be out of power over night. I would keep the culture "Islamic" but remove any laws against other sects and religions.
Then trying to shut down Isis, AlQaeda and other Wahhabi hollywood actors would be the next move.

 

[Vinayaka]

What about just opposing Saudi Arabia in general though? If I could have my way, the Wahhabis would be out of power over night

Oil buys friends.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

but remove any laws against other sects and religions.

The problem with this is Christian missionaries at least evangelical ones do not respect different cultures as we have seen this through human history. We saw this with the unfortunate death of the Christian who tried to evangelize some indigenous people. Western Christian often try to make evangelizing people synonymous with freedom and so although I'm with you on your suggestions considering how annoying Christian evangelicals are and how intrusive and disrespectful they are when it comes to other people's culture, I think we should keep a just and free society but restrict proselytizing.

 

[Firemorphic]

The problem with this is Christian missionaries at least evangelical ones do not respect different cultures as we have seen this through human history. We saw this with the unfortunate death of the Christian who tried to evangelize some indigenous people. Western Christian often try to make evangelizing people synonymous with freedom and so although I'm with you on your suggestions considering how annoying Christian evangelicals are and how intrusive and disrespectful they are when it comes to other people's culture, I think we should keep a just and free society but restrict proselytizing.

I fully agree. The evangelical missionary part is what I don't appreciate and wouldn't tolerate myself but they should absolutely be free to believe and practice their religion.

 

[Ellen Brown]

It will get worse before it gets better. That's how it always goes it seems. But push people around long enough and they will fight back. It might take a few revolutions, but never give up hope.

One of the things about treating women badly, and as sexual currency is that it feeds the dark side of men, and after enough mistreatment, women will have the Stockholm Syndrome mindset. Deep inside I still feel that Hijab covers my sin and protects me, as if women can be brainwashed to believe that everything is their fault.

 

[Ellen Brown]

What about just opposing Saudi Arabia in general though? If I could have my way, the Wahhabis would be out of power over night. I would keep the culture "Islamic" but remove any laws against other sects and religions.
Then trying to shut down Isis, AlQaeda and other Wahhabi hollywood actors would be the next move.

Alhumduallah. I support this. We need the help of Allah SWT.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

See, this is why I'm a humanist.

 

[SomeRandom]

One of the things about treating women badly, and as sexual currency is that it feeds the dark side of men, and after enough mistreatment, women will have the Stockholm Syndrome mindset. Deep inside I still feel that Hijab covers my sin and protects me, as if women can be brainwashed to believe that everything is their fault.

See this is what happens when you allow things to fester. Religions (maybe some pagan religions are exempt) allow power structures to not only form but thrive. Religion is a pyramid scheme essentially. The privileged few at the top, potential "salvation" for those who join up and rules to follow for the proletariat. And notice it's often about control on every level.

I just find myself more and more dissillusioned by the abusive practices of religions/cultures in general.
Might make a third wave feminist of me yet.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

See, this is why I'm a humanist.

See what? What does this situation have to do with being a humanist?

 

[Epic Beard Man]

Religion is a pyramid scheme essentially.

This post is why I advocate people to go to a university and major in religion and actually study religions and their evolution.

 

[Twilight Hue]

One would hope the situation would get better, but history sadly tells us that sometimes regimes just dig in deeper.

As long as they keep hanging executed people aloft from cranes as a public display and warning, I'm sure the Saudis will remain well entrenched for the long-term.

 

[Ellen Brown]

See this is what happens when you allow things to fester. Religions (maybe some pagan religions are exempt) allow power structures to not only form but thrive. Religion is a pyramid scheme essentially. The privileged few at the top, potential "salvation" for those who join up and rules to follow for the proletariat. And notice it's often about control on every level.

I just find myself more and more dissillusioned by the abusive practices of religions/cultures in general.
Might make a third wave feminist of me yet.

A very long time ago I read something in a book or an article that said over recorded Human history, the power of women has fluctuated, a lot. In Islam, Khadijah, Muhammad's wife funded the start of Islam and years later, women are forced into what is effectively slavery. I can't remember more about it.