In addition to the battles that they have been waging on the ground and behind the scenes for their rights, or lack thereof, they have had a champion in Princess Ameera al Taweel, the wife of Prince Al Waleed bin Talal, one of the more progressive of the thousands of princes of the Saudi royal family, and one of the richest men in the world.
Much like his peers in the Middle East, the prince has been applying his wife as a public relations tool to project a more modern image of his country to the West. And it’s been working. Ameera recently completed a slew of press in the US, criticising the Kingdom’s rigid laws for women, supporting the removal of the driving ban.
It has been refreshing to say the least to watch an articulate and intelligent Saudi woman from the ruling family campaign for women’s rights in a country that normally prefers the voice of women to be well, non-existent.
And that’s precisely what has landed Princess Ameera in hot water with her brother-in-law, Prince Khalid bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz. Prince Khalid, last week, publicly reprimanded the princess for her increasingly high-profile image, threatening his brother to reign in the “repeated appearance of his wife in the media”, warning him of “severe” repercussions if the younger prince does not stop “practices which violate our family, religion and Saudi values”.
Well there’s a slap on the wrist for you. While it may appear to some that the older prince is protecting Saudi culture — as sexism is often mistaken for — Prince Khalid’s statements actually reflect the real and deep-rooted problems with the overall mentality in the Kingdom, one that believes women are the property of men.
It is precisely this kind of thinking that not only keeps women off the streets in Saudi Arabia, but out of the offices and seats of government, keeping them out of the public sphere and trapping them in the domestic realm, relegating them indefinitely to the backseat.
What is also disturbing about the prince’s statements is the correlation he makes with his sister-in-law’s media presence and family honour. Around the world, and specifically in the Middle East, the idea of women symbolising honour may sound romantic, but it is the direct source of horrendous acts of violence against women, such as ‘honour killings’, which justify murdering women who have supposedly damaged their family prestige, as the prince stipulates: “Our family honour is a red line and if you don’t respect this honour, then we do. I now tell you that if you do not come back to your senses and stop your deviation, then our response will be very severe and harsh next time.”
Using a man’s wife to publicly threaten and blackmail him? Sounds like a plot from a classic (sexist) movie. I mean, are men in 2012 seriously still this insecure that they have to pin their prestige on women and use them as pawns in what is obviously a much larger issue of power?
Saudi women may be pushing ahead with their fight to expand the rights in a Kingdom that is determined to continue curbing their rights, and if they have their way, one more Saudi woman may disappear from the global stage.
Hopefully Princess Ameera will demonstrate to the women of her country and the world that she is no bargaining chip. And usher Saudi Arabia into 2012.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 27th, 2012.
COMMENTS (38)
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@shazada zahid mahmoud loan: Could you explain what you mean by "...making steady progress"?
@Shahzad S. Janjua: "Infact, women are more free in these countries than in the west, they are not that sex slaves as in the west, where the number of unmarried women with kids are sky rocketing."
Could you elaborate why you think that unmarried women with kids are sex slaves?
Standard of living is relatively high in Saudi Arabia but human rights extremely poor and this also effects women to a great extent. Maybe they are able to feed their babies but living in a golden cage is not good either.
Some examples from this article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27srightsinSaudiArabia): - All females must have a male guardian, typically a father or husband - Among non-mahram men, women must cover the parts of the body that are awrah (not meant to be exposed). In much of Islam, a women's face is not considered awrah. In Saudi Arabia and some other Arab states, all of the body is considered awrah except the hands and eyes. - Most offices, banks, and universities have separate entrances for men and women. - Girls are taught that their primary role is to raise children and take care of the household. - Women’s freedom of movement is very limited in Saudi Arabia. They are not supposed to leave their houses or their local neighbourhood without the permission of their male guardian, and company of a mahram (close male relative). - Women could not vote or run for office in the country's first municipal elections in many decades, in 2005, nor in 2011. They campaigned for the right to do so in the 2011 municipal elections, attempting unsuccessfully to register as voters.[88] In September 2011, King Abdullah announced that women would be allowed to vote and run for office in the 2015 municipal elections. - The inheritance share of women in Saudi is generally smaller than that to which men are entitled. - There is no prohibition against spousal or statutory rape.
@At all the above commenters: While you guys argue about whether or not living in Saudi makes people want to tear their eyes out, you are missing the bigger point in the op-ed. It's not about whether their are basic human and women's rights in Saudi, its about the fact that the author has taken a completely warped example as an ideal to promote the issue of rights in Saudi. She's praising the very element that is an influential member of the House of Saud which the author is criticising for the conditions in Saudi today. Before embarking on progressive campaigns it is first important to get the objectives right.
Waiting for the next op-ed praising Queen Rania as a the next feminist icon that every Arab woman looks up to whilst her husband is busy cracking down on dissidents and propping up a sham democracy.
@bigsaf Yup I think that is pretty much obvious from the events of the past year. It's just I find it a huge disappointment when I see educated,otherwise well intention people still fall for this charade. It seems the West is still fascinated with the Orientalist stereotypes along the lines of 'Out of the oppressed veil women, one beautiful princess dared to break the rules' What rules? Wearing a skirt and speaking articulate English on TV?? Is this what activism has been now reduced to writing cliche, fluff op-eds or that core important issues wont see the light of the day unless advocated and spoked about by a glamour puss?
I am rather pleased and amused by this rather healthy debate on the freedom of expression for women in Saudi Arabia. Well I can answer few of the questions asked by some of the readers. Well I can with certainty and guarantee say that women in Saudi Arabia are very safe if they go out to buy milk. The other question put forward by one reader whether I have lived there? Well I do – I work at one of the prestigious universities in the country and I have not seen the mistreatment of foreign workers. Some of the foreign workers are treated far better than their own country. Individual, isolated, cases are something that needs addressing by the authority and the law. The Saudi law is fair, simple and equitable. It is unfortunate that some of your readers have not read my comments between the lines and have reacted rather emotionally – that is understandable when you have deep seated prejudices.
@bigsaf Talal got shares in NY Post the most anti muslim news paper in north america. and these price and princes got no brain at all.
This op-ed reads like the article I read in Vogue which lavished praise on Asma Al Assad (another dictator's wife) for being progressive and reformist ideal. Out of all the women who have been demanding rights in Saudi, the author found a elitist one in skirt, who happens to be a very influential member of the very authoritarian family that she is trying to criticise??
@Shazada who writes "All the criticism I have read is by the same anti-Muslim Jewish and Hindu/Christian fundamentalist individuals out to negate Islamic values. They can try and will not succeed – even the Western and Hindu women love the decency and sexual freedom that Islam allows. You don’t believe me ask these women. The men in the West and the East, especially Hindu and Jewish, want to destroy the stability inherent in Islam and offered to the family. The non-Muslim European women, Hindu women and Jewish wmoen are merely treated as sex slaves and have very little freedom of expression or self indentity. Ask these women if you do not believe me – trafficking of women by the Europeans, Indians and the Jews is an expression of lack of freedom."
What are you talking about? My god!!! You still did not answer my question how do you know that Saudi women are happy!!
Question to a Pro Saudis or culture. Can non-saudi women (Not westerners) go out alone let's say to buy milk for baby and come back without being harassed or taken to Sheikh harram? Please experiment it if you live there and let us all know please. Or if it is too much let a young boy (below 15 or 16 yrs) let go alone and see if comes back sound and safe.
Shahzada Sahib, stop being the guardian of Islam. Your mindset has destroyed our religion far more than any Jews/Hindus or Christians.
All the criticism I have read is by the same anti-Muslim Jewish and Hindu/Christian fundamentalist individuals out to negate Islamic values. They can try and will not succeed - even the Western and Hindu women love the decency and sexual freedom that Islam allows. You don't believe me ask these women. The men in the West and the East, especially Hindu and Jewish, want to destroy the stability inherent in Islam and offered to the family. The non-Muslim European women, Hindu women and Jewish wmoen are merely treated as sex slaves and have very little freedom of expression or self indentity. Ask these women if you do not believe me - trafficking of women by the Europeans, Indians and the Jews is an expression of lack of freedom.
princess activities are even criticized by her family members and relatives so not a big role model that we start writing column on her
In my view sexuality should not be suppressed. It's a natural instinct. What most the Arab countries does is that they suppress sexuality for a peaceful society.But this leads to suppression of women in the society.
Secondly, If women wants to drive no-one has any authority to deny that. If today oil dries-up or other technology pops-up then these so called rich Arab country will have no future.
Women empowerment drives and decides the long term survival of the society.
Arabs have got money and beautiful buildings but why USA/Europe/Russian/Australia/Chinese/japanese are more powerful in the world ?
In all these countries shariah laws does not apply..
@Chaman:
Saudi Monarchy needs to go. Wonder if you would demand the same for Pakistan?
Saudi Monarchy needs to go.
@Shahzda who says "I have lived and worked in Saudi Arabia and have found the women happy and satisfied with their lot"
HOW DID YOU FIND THAT? Did you ask them? Did you live with them to find out what they truly felt?
I'm really curious to know, how a Pakistani (or any Sout Asian for that matter), who's treated as a second class citizen in a country like Saudi is able to interact with Saudi women, who are usually Burkha clad and wouldn't prefer to talk to strangers!!!!
@Shahzad S. Janjua Few years ago, a Saudi mullah proposed that women hide one eye as both eyes are provocative. Recently, a mullah connected females driving cars with increase in homosexuality. Another proposed a ban on bananas and cucumbers. Which world are you living in?
@Anon: Perfectly said!
I don't know why our whole nation worries more about the travails of Saudi Arabia than our own. The Saudis have been very fortunate to have oil wealth, but unfortunately they lack the good sense to invest this wealth into enabling progress and advancement for Saudis or Arabs. The Arab region has consistently had the worst human rights records -- abysmal status of women, xenophobia, repression of minorities, racism and the despicable treatment of maids and servants. You have to be morally bankrupt if your prosperity doesn't let you afford some measure of generosity and tolerance towards poorer fellow beings. Pakistan has to set its own example -- in the treatment of women, we should look to better societies such as Turkey. Let the Saudis fester in their moral perversity.
@ Shazada Zain Yes allowing women to not drive is a very good example of Saudi open-mindedness. Instead they leave them on the mercy of drivers (unknown na-mehram) men. Maybe its because Saudi clerics think that driving makes people gay. What a perfect example of open-mindedness and scientific thinking. Who can forget the famous saudi fatwa which said that women should breast feed their male colleagues to work with them. Yes not degrading at all, how respectful and caring that to provide a na-mehram free environment they ask women to breast feed their colleagues.
And what about every rich Saudi having 5-10 wives or even more? Maybe that's another way of showing respect and freedom.
And did u even know about Nikah Misyar? Where Rich Saudis marry young girls for a fixed time period in exchange for some monetary assistance they give to the girls family. Very respecting and liberating that in order to use a women's body you give them money and then when you've had enough after a month or so the marriage ends.
And lastly if you want to see how free Saudi society is please go there wear a burka and walk out on the street in 10 mins a couple of guys would start following u thinking u are a woman.
Oh and I noticed that u said that you are a westerner why do u live in such a dirty society?
First off you want to say "rein in," not "reign in."
Now coming to the crux of your argument, please I implore you, keep an open mind. If you not understand a culture, do yourself a favor and refrain from openly and in the case, vitriolically, criticizing it. It just eats away your credibility.
Have you lived in the Gulf for a sizable period of time?NO. Have you studied Arabian cultures?NO. Do you know their family system, beliefs, way of life, heritage, traditions? I strongly doubt it.
How would you like it if someone comes to YOUR place, and tells you everything you do is rubbish, just because his way is something else? Do you see my point? You are blindly trying to force your opinion down his throat, while he may be equally true.
There are many factual blunders too in the text above too. Yes, having lived most of my life in Saudi Arabia, I CAN speak with authority and with facts to back me up.
Realize that what values you hold dear sitting pretty in US might not be exactly the same as those everywhere. And its for good reason. Realize also that there may be a slightest possibility that your freedoms may not be ideal.
Here the issue is Alwaleed pulling the strings from the background and implicitly inviting the West to help him bring a massive change to the Saudi society and its values. Its not her appearance in the press, its what she represents and what she says that is the problem.
I hope in future I will see a more balanced perspective, so that I address the specifics of the issue you have more thoroughly.
Moqamar
Pinky ji,
When you interpret the lady's media appearances as excessively (for saudi's/muslims) sexual and revealing kind of westernized behavior, you do highlight the role of standards some people set for themselves.
Consider the fellows who supported the killing of Mr Salman Taseer. Mr Taseer's behavior was similarly too unacceptable, too insulting to their Prophet, for them. The same for all those who are oppressed and banned in different ways.
If Pakistanis really aspire for Saudi kind of living, they need to start making it clear to their own liberals. You simply can't have a nation beating up on Maya Khan on one hand, and singing the praises of saudi progressivism on the other (without being certified as insane).
Mr Shahzada:
"The Western women are oppressed physically and psychological to say the least"
Really? How fascinating! That's why the Mukhtaran Mai case took place in the WEST right? WESTERN courts set her rapists free and loose right? I mean that COULDNT have happened in these lovely pakistani and saudi societies right? Because women are SO free and treated so WELL and RESPECTED?
You really need a heavy dose of reality. mr ignorant
Right and the prince parading his arm candy trophy wife and shoving her infront of camera to make cliche statements and attract publicity is not sexist and degrading of the princess? Lets face it both the west and east, objectify women's body and degrade them to mere sexual objects. Prince Talal is infact using his wife's increasing public appearances to increase their profile and influence within the House of Saud. If there is anything we learnt from Arab Spring, dictators have often used trophy elitist wives to charm the west and befool everyone into thinking they are the champions of progressive rights and liberal ideals. Princess Ameerah is of the same category as Queen Rania, and Asma Assad (remember their fawning coverage in Vogue), these women proclaim to be feminist and ideal, but the moment their grip on power is threatened, or serious democracy is asked for - they have no problems crushing all sorts of rights - women's children's life, property The author's example of Princess Ameerah is an insulting and misleading to say the least.
I don't think Saudi women are as repressed as women in Rwanda, Afghanistan, Somalia or Sudan to name a few.
What is a woman's right ? Freedom of thought, action, a place in society with honor (where her opinion is counted, and her right to privacy is protected, and her property and possession are guarded and her access to education is unhindered, and a means to earn a honorable living when her spouse disowns her or she disowns him, a say in her family affairs and issues related to the above.
It is granted that Saudi Women do not have all of these, but is it not the case in all countries where Islam is practiced, with few exceptions.
I value the women's right to feed her children more than the rights the women in S. Arabia are lacking, and I prefer to stand up against the men who cut the breasts of women in the name of clan superiority and religion.
There are problems at many levels. Saudis have been presenting a distorted view of Islam,driving ban being only one of the examples. Muslims,men and women, also need to act responsibly by educating themselves in sciences as well as religion ,to become modern with appropriate dress code, and not hanging all their modernity on immodest dress or vulgar behavior.
@Janjua sahab, U right about that but there are many more things for women.
Miss Husain, Prince and princes are free to do any thing in saudia arabia but talk about common man of the kingdom they goes around the world have cozy breezy hamams are ready for them allwways... talk about Bahrain and indians pakistanis bangladeshis, Nepalis, Filipino home workers how been treated there months with out salaries.. acomodation with out cold water.
@Shahzad S. Janjua: i wonder, which Western philosophy are you talking about? We all live in a patriarchical World System. The only difference between liberty of western and eastern women: the former "a bit" free, and the latter "no where". And liberty is not just determined with "sex". There's a lot more to deal with - trying thinking a little deeper.
@Shahzad: Yes, number of unmarried women with children is the only measure of "freedom" and "decency" isnt it? Have you ever followed how Arabs treat women? Sticking nails with a nail gun into Philipino maids is a particularly viral practise!
Shah Zada bhai, the amazing thing is that that poor lady Maya Khan was dragged over the coals for a small effort to introduce Saudi Arabia style freedom for Pakistan women! Some Pakistanis just don't want to progress toward freedom!
you are right on many counts...but i dont think he was exactly linking her media presence with family honour..i think its her western clothes that have irritated her inlaws (hence the emphasis on religion and Saudi values)..in a country where modest dressing in public is compulsory for everyone, a princess making an exception for herself was bound to irritate other people.....seriously she could have raised this awareness about the rights of women with traditional Saudi attire too....going to the other extreme (wearing revealing clothes(by Saudi standards anyway)) has just rendered her controversial.....
Tushay, this is the same western philosophy that the west want to adopt in Pakistan and countries like Saudi Arabia, portraying that women are slave.
Infact, women are more free in these countries than in the west, they are not that sex slaves as in the west, where the number of unmarried women with kids are sky rocketing.
I guess the same liberty is intended by the writer!!!