MEMRI September 8, 2014
Special Dispatch No.5836
Saudi Journalist: The Oppressive Saudi Rigidity Causes Young People To Seek
Happiness With The Virgins Of Paradise

In an article in the Saudi government daily Al-Watan, journalist Idris
Al-Dris pondered why so many suicide bombers were of Saudi origin. He argued
that the reason was the ultra-conservative Saudi lifestyle, including the
strict segregation of the sexes and the excessive modesty of dress, which,
he said, cause Saudis to believe that a full and satisfying relationship
with a woman is possible only in Paradise. He argued further that the strict
indoctrination pushes Saudis to reject the religious teachings, as evident
from the fact that many Saudi women shed their modest garments the minute
they leave the country.

The following are translated excerpts from the article:[1]


"I have long been asking myself why Saudis form the largest portion of those
who sacrifice their lives for the 'Virgins of Paradise'... Perhaps the main
reason for this is our conservative reality, which possibly involves
over-strict gender segregation, [due to] the dominance of custom and
traditions that are enforced without thought in the guise of religion...

"Our young children, both girls and boys, grow up naturally and become fond
[of each other] as neighbors or relatives. And then, suddenly, a young boy
finds himself completely excluded [from the presence of girls], to an extent
that exceeds the requirements of religion, [for] the prevailing custom and
tradition are at odds with religion. Women thus become [sacred] icons and
objects of fear, with whom a normal, ongoing and full life [is possible]
only in Paradise.

"Perhaps I am wrong, but I find that this fear is less prevalent among
others [i.e., non-Saudis], since their social life is compatible with human
nature. I am not calling for men and women to mix in ways that lead to
transgressions, God forbid. I am only searching for something that can make
us more moderate in our behavior, which presently tends to either one
extreme or the other.

"The women's dress-code in this country usually reflects traditions and
customs that have passed down from generation to generation. If you want to
know how popular [the traditional dress-code] is, just look at how our women
dress when abroad. [The destinations themselves] teach us something about
the tourism preferences of some of our families: while conservative families
choose to travel to Malasia or Austria, and in particular [to the Austrian
town of] Zell am See [a resort popular with religious Muslims], liberal
families usually travel to Switzerland, France and Spain. Both kinds [of
families] travel to London. [While abroad,] some of the conservative
families overdo their conservative [behavior] and dress, to the extent that
they attract attention. Conversely, some of the liberal families overdo
their openness... They attract the attention of us Saudis and puzzle us with
their revealing clothes, which contrast with Islamic-style clothes that
cover [the body]. I feel that the conservative among our women exaggerate
their modesty when abroad, out of a desire to defy [the West] and emphasize
that they are good Muslims, while the most liberal among our women go too
far in rebelling against the oppression they experience [in Saudi Arabia].

"The openness exhibited by some of our girls [when abroad?], and their very
Western way of dressing, remind me of Iranian women who wear a chador under
pressure from the clerics, but fling it away along with their other modest
garments the minute they leave Tehran. Women on flights leaving and entering
our homeland present a very similar spectacle. The look of the passengers
changes dramatically as they shed their veils and cloaks during outgoing
flight and put them on again during the return flight.

"This phenomenon always embarrasses me. Perhaps the persuasion [methods] of
the religious [authorities] are inadequate. Perhaps they use coercive and
inflexible methods instead of causing people to like [the religion] and
thereby prompting them [to observe it], which are the shortest and easiest
ways to achieve a goal.

"I am not [trying to] issue a fatwa permitting or forbidding anything. I am
not qualified to do so. But I am always embarrassed by our two-facedness and
by the mental hypocrisy of the [Saudi] citizen, compared to others. I raise
[this issue] here just to [encourage] us to have a solid identity that does
not change depending on the patron [overseeing us], who here [in Saudi
Arabia] is the father, the sheikh or the religious police."

Endnotes:

[1] Al-Watan (Saudi Arabia), August 25, 2014.

© 1998-2014, The Middle East Media Research Institute All Rights Reserved.
Materials may only be cited with proper attribution.