A friend of mine is going to live in Saudi for 2 years as her husband is working there. She has to live in a "Camp" She can wear what she wants there. When she leaves the camp she must wear the hijab. (her husband has bought her some, but they all have to be black). She will not be allowed to drive and so will be transported by her husband or by camp bus to the shops and back...
Of course, it's a great opportunity for them to make some money and her husband's company has asked him to work out there for them, but she has decided she does not want to stay any longer than two years.
7 years with my lady in Riyadh Saudi Arabia, iwestrn women have to wear an abaya (long black robe) and a scarf rather than a "Hijab". it is like a lot of things not as it seems, it is a Family business run by a Despotic family who steal the Countries resources and use religion to keep everyone in position. The Mutawa -- religious Police--are mental degenerates who shout at women to cover their hair in the markets, drag people out of cars to pray at prayer time --- all shops and restaurants etc must close during prayers -- then half of them can be found on holiday in the Ladyboy bars of Thailand! Anything that threatens the Al Saudos total control is deemed anti Islamic -- horrible place? Well, it can be but we actually had a great time socially, so hopefully they will, if they are on one of the Compounds run by Major British Companies it is like a permanent holiday for the ladies! It is nothing to do with Islam and most Moslems deplore the Saudi regime!
But the whole issue of religion, and this from an ex-lay preacher by the way -- is about Control, it doesnt matter what religion it is it was invented by Man to control! Just consider Christianity, not getting anywhere much until a Roman Emperor needed a way of controlling the people and heard of it, a religion that tells you to do what you are told? That tell you to be humble? That tells you to render under Caesars that which is Caesars??? Bring it on I will convert myself! Not too mention teaching Children at an early age, what is the hymn you all learn "All things bright and beautiful"?? "The rich man at his Castle, the poor man at his gate, the Lord God made each and everyone according to hi state " you lot stay down there where you belong!
All religions have always been about Control, whether the Shaman or the Mullah the message is the same, and women in the World have been singled out for control! But not from the start, but interpretation to suit, such as Islam nowhere in the Koran does it say women should cover their faces or even their hair, it just says a woman should dress modestly, funny that is in Judaism, Christianity etc. but doesn't anywhere say cover your hair or shave your head!
It worked though, people were more law abiding and generally better behave in the UK when religion was stronger, Jacqui you are probably too young to remember but there was a time in most of Scotland you couldn't buy a box of matches on a Sunday! My mother got told off for washing clothes on the Sabbath
Hijab, no, because it is about subjugation not religion! But people are easily fooled, after fighting to remove the subjugation women in Iran only wore a Chador (long robe and veil) during Ramadan, rest of time many wore western dress. Along cane charismatic religious leaders that persuaded them that God would over throw the Shah if they wore the Chador and once he had gone and the Ayatollah arrived ---- well, back to the dark ages! Women lost all their rights and stoning to death back as the main attraction at the weekend!
