Located in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia is known for its abundance or oil and complex relationship with the
United States. It is an absolute monarchy, governed according to a very conservative interpretation of Islamic law. But at least not as often, does the topic of women’s right's becomes a priority.
But other types of human rights violations gets plenty of attention when its say had to do with but gender discrimination mostly men over women, gets put to the side on a global level. More particularly the position of women in
Saudi Arabia is often misunderstood by the outside world a lot of Saudi Women, are prohibited from things such as freedom of speech and expression the right to a fair trial. Most of these policies are set up deliberately by the Saudi government which is overwhelmingly male and though a very strict interpretation of Islam.
The Islam that is practiced is not exactly “by the book” Islam but more an interpretation. Only in
Saudi Arabia, for example, are women forced to wear a complete cover, including the face. The Matawa, or religious police, are hired to make sure that Saudis are following strictly to the rules. Most of the time, their targets are women.
Despite all of these restrictions there are signs of moving ahead and lifting the restriction of women rights. For example, more than half the students at the university are women. Nevertheless, Qur'an states that men and women are equal in the eyes of god.
Even though some of the reports written in the west about the way women are treated in there are exaggerated sometimes, but more than often it;s not. Saudi women want liberation and want equal rights. Others accept their lifestyle (mostly by force).
And a large number of citizens in general go by western stereotypes, (ie; us being “immoral”), so how can we expect them to know any different? Americans, Northern andWestern Europeans have the same problem. We see coverage of Middle Eastern countries, and rarely is it "accurate". When all we see is Muslims as terrorists and women-haters, how are we supposed to know any better?
Hopefully the general American citizen can see that there are more than terrorists and women-haters. But maybe we can't be expected to, because you're right, they are not represented very well in the American press.
Sadly, there are many americans who persist in believing all Muslims are terrorist and many still believe Islam supports terrorism and killing others because of religious differences. I am a senior in high school and a kid in my Government class is one such individual and I have finally given up trying to enlighten him, as he refuses to contemplate any other opinion than dear old daddy's
Fighting Intolerance and Ignorance wherever I see it.
Fortunately, I was able to meet and get to know Muslims as a young child, and I find the stupid people who take the stereotypes as fact intolerable, because I know they're not true. I go to a college that has many signs written in Arabic as well as Spanish and English, and believe me, these people are as nice as you can get.