The Best Defence Against Terry Jones? Ear Plugs…
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Now Jones wants to ‘hold a trial’ of the Prophet Mohammed. What law might pertain, what authority? This is a publicity stunt, nothing more.
‘My Mother’s Name’: The Great Unmentionable in Saudi
CROSSROADS ARABIA: It’s often a cause for violence particularly among young tribal men. Whatever you do, don’t mention the mother’s name.
“Treat Us Like Adults”: Saudi Women Demand Basic Rights
CROSSROADS ARABIA: It’s simple – women in Saudi Arabia can’t wait for enlightened men to grant them rights, they are going to have to force the issue.
Saudi Elections: Too Soon, And Too Little?
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Arab News reports that the government has set a date for the second municipal elections. It does not report women cannot take part.
Failed Saudization Policy: The Finger Pointing Begins
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Saudization is simply not working so someone’s got to be doing something wrong. There seems no end of potential culprits.
Consanguine Marriage: ‘Genetic Roulette’ in Saudi Arabia
CROSSROADS ARABIA: A large proportion of marriages in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia are between relatives. It’s creating major challenges for the authorities.
Sunni-Shi’a Friction Takes Sharp Turn for Worse
CROSSROADS ARABIA: As a state of emergency is announced in Bahrain tension between Sunni and Shi’a in the region is on the increase.
New Indonesian Rules on Domestics Irk Saudis
CROSSROADS ARABIA: The Indonesian authorities have moved to protect their nationals working as domestic help – and many Saudis aren’t happy.
Saudi Handouts Buy Time – But How Much..?
CROSSROADS ARABIA: More than 90,000 government employees in the Kingdom will have their job status converted from ‘temporary’ to ‘permanent’. Good news for them but is it enough?
Why Saudi Drivers are not Smiling
CROSSROADS ARABIA: The issue of traffic fines elicits Pavlovian-response rage from drivers wherever they are in the world, but nowhere more so than in Saudi.
Is Saudi Softening its Stance Towards Cinema?
CROSSROADS ARABIA: There would be tens of thousands of young men and women with something to do with their time other than to shop or loiter around shopping malls…
Paper View: Arab Media at a Turning Point
CROSSROADS ARABIA: The passion for journalism remains, but today’s younger generation of aspiring journalists would be more picky as to where they would work…
Something Amiss About Saudi Oil Reserve Story
CROSSROADS ARABIA: ‘Saudi overstates oil reserves by 40%’ blasted the headlines. Cue global panic. But the story deserves a little more investigation…
Time to Say, ‘Goodbye’: Mubarak is the Problem
CROSSROADS ARABIA: After 30 years in power, Mubarak appears no longer capable of providing a solution to Egypt. Rather, he is now the problem.
“Après Moi, le Déluge.” What lies post Mubarak?
CROSSROADS ARABIA: The big question, of course, is ‘After Mubarak, what?’ I’m sure Mubarak feels, as did Louis XV, Après moi, le déluge.
Life’s Complicated: Women and the Saudi Undergarment
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Salesmen feel ‘awkward’ to be selling intimate apparel to women; women don’t want to discuss their bodies in front of strange men.
Saudi Marriages: No Complication is too Bizarre…
CROSSROADS ARABIA: When it comes to marriages in the KSA, no complication is too bizarre. Now a cousin is able to nullify marriage on the basis of family origin.
Rising Wave of Saudi Spinsters, the Shame of Divorce
CROSSROADS ARABIA: An increasing number of Saudi women are choosing not to get married, while divorcees are facing growing discrimination.
Conspiracies and Prejudice: Getting A Grip
CROSSROADS ARABIA: People owe it to themselves and their fellow men to not feed the animals that inhabit all our inner beings.
How Saudi Arabia’s Media is tacking Wikileaks
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Saudi media is taking note of the WikiLeaks phenomenon. This piece from Arab News reflects the best and smartest policy that the Saudi government could follow: refuse comment.
