Crossroads Arabia

Why Saudi Young Women, Sorry, Girls Run Away

Why Saudi Young Women, Sorry, Girls Run Away

CROSSROADS ARABIA: Why do you think 24 year old women might want to leave home? A new report does not provide much enlightenment…

 Susie of Arabia

Saudi: Momentum Grows in Support of Women Drivers

Saudi: Momentum Grows in Support of Women Drivers

SUSIE OF ARABIA: Driving is just a starting point. There are many other women’s issues that need to be addressed but as Manal says: “The rain starts with a single drop.”

 Omar al-Issawi

A Doctor, A Mother, Now She’s a Saudi ‘Rebel Driver’

A Doctor, A Mother, Now She’s a Saudi ‘Rebel Driver’

OMAR AL-ISSAWI: She is entrusted with the lives of many on a daily basis but Najla Hariri is not trusted to drive to treat those patients.

 American Bedu

Google Incites Muslim Women to Throw Off Veil – Claim

Google Incites Muslim Women to Throw Off Veil – Claim

AMERICAN BEDU: When Google decided to celebrate dancer Martha Graham’s birthday with an animation little did it understand the furore it would cause in Saudi…

 Susie of Arabia

A Poem about the Saudi “Women in Black”

A Poem about the Saudi “Women in Black”

SUSIE OF ARABIA: A young, Saudi woman who, as a child, witnessed another woman displaying a freedom of spirit has written a poem in celebration of the inspirational character.

 Common Ground News Service

Saudi Arabia and Its Women: The Need for Change

Saudi Arabia and Its Women: The Need for Change

MAHA AKEEL: Until Saudi Arabia implements this grassroots renaissance, it will continue to live a dichotomy of modern facilities but mental stagnation.

 Omar al-Issawi

Niqab Ban Lifts Veil on Problems East and West

Niqab Ban Lifts Veil on Problems East and West

OMAR AL ISSAWI: Playing the victim, engendering sympathy and hurling accusations of conspiracy, persecution and discrimination will only get a cause so far…

 Moroccan Maryam

A Mother’s Farewell to Her 11 Year Old Son

A Mother’s Farewell to Her 11 Year Old Son

MOROCCAN MARYAM: It’s the day you always dreaded, the day his gaze drifts from you to his friends, the day you become ‘just a mother’.

 Susie of Arabia

If Saudi Can Impose its Will Over Dress, Why Not France?

If Saudi Can Impose its Will Over Dress, Why Not France?

SUSIE OF ARABIA: I feel I am forced to wear the abaya – it would not be my choice to dress like that. And I doubt if I am the only woman who feels this way.

 Eman-Al-Nafjan

The Saudi Time Machine – Only Goes Backwards

The Saudi Time Machine – Only Goes Backwards

EMAN AL NAFJAN: These past couple of weeks have convinced me the government has made a huge scientific discovery, the time machine.

 Shelina Zahra Janmohamed

My name is Shelina and I Want an IPad 2 (and bag, and…)

My name is Shelina and I Want an IPad 2 (and bag, and…)

SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: So now I have to decide: gadget or face goo? Both are about good looks and sleek finishes. The marketing hype for each tells me that I can’t live without either.

 Crossroads Arabia

“Treat Us Like Adults”: Saudi Women Demand Basic Rights

“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.

 Crossroads Arabia

Saudi Elections: Too Soon, And Too Little?

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.

 Crossroads Arabia

Consanguine Marriage: ‘Genetic Roulette’ in Saudi Arabia

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.

 Shelina Zahra Janmohamed

The Luscious Eyebrow: A Rite of Womanhood?

The Luscious Eyebrow: A Rite of Womanhood?

SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: I’d like to say I’m the kind of woman who hasn’t bought into the social pressure to conform. But I have.

 American Bedu

Al-Qaida’s Alternative to Cosmo Magazine

Al-Qaida’s Alternative to Cosmo Magazine

AMERICAN BEDU: Al-Shamikha, meaning ‘Majestic Woman’ in Arabic is a women’s magazine which Al-Qaida has combined elements of Soldier of Fortune and “Cosmopolitan” magazine.

 Mich Cafe

When the Lebanese Woman Shed the Veil

When the Lebanese Woman Shed the Veil

MICH CAFE, F. NAJIA: The Lebanese woman’s journey from “the age of the veil” to the relative freedom of “the age of the bikini” was a fairly quick one, but the path to ‘freedom’ was paved not by “circumstances” alone.

 Shelina Zahra Janmohamed

Hope Blossoms, Despair Lingers for Arab Women

Hope Blossoms, Despair Lingers for Arab Women

SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: Two corners of the Muslim world, two very different stories. On the one hand there is hope. On the other hand, despair…

 Common Ground News Service

Women With Men Directing Winds of Change

Women With Men Directing Winds of Change

CARLA KOPPELL: Women’s role must be honoured in the struggle and protect against the fundamentalist push. Most importantly, their involvement will be key to enabling thriving societies

 American Bedu

Saudis Will Resist Women Drivers, Legal or Not

Saudis Will Resist Women Drivers, Legal or Not

CAROL FLEMING: The movement to allow women to drive in Saudi appears irresistible. There’s lots to be done, however, to improve male attitudes.