Saudi Arabia: To Go or Not to Go?
A friend recently asked me if I wanted to visit Saudi Arabia to speak at a girls’ school. My instant reply: Yes! But then I thought a bit more about it and now I’m not so sure.
Last May, I publicly stated that I wouldn’t visit The Maldives after they overturned a 6 decade-old moratorium on capital punishment. Under the country’s Sharia laws, the government reinstated the death penalty to apply to minors, as young as 7 years old, who break the law. I find capital punishment inhumane and I vowed not to visit The Maldives.
Although in retrospect, my stance is completely hypocritical since a) I live in a country that enforces the death penalty, and b) have traveled to other countries that abide capital punishment, like China, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Botswana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia….the list goes on.
So why did I isolate the Maldives? Because of its adherence to Sharia law. Sharia law is a form of Islamic religious law with jurisdiction over all criminal, political, economic and personal matters, including sexual practices, hygiene, diet, prayer, and etiquette. In Western countries, Sharia law is largely considered to be incompatible with women’s rights. This is my prejudice.
Sharia law is applied in full in the countries listed below and fully or partially as displayed in this map. (Note: I didn’t know Abu Dhabi adhered to Sharia law when I visited in 2011.)
1. Mauritania
2. Sudan
4. Iran
5. Iraq
6. Brunei
7. Maldives
8. Pakistan
9. Qatar
10. Saudi Arabia
11. Yemen
12. Nigeria (parts)
13. Indonesia (Ache province)
14. United Arab Emirates (except Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah)
As I reflect on it, I think I’m being narrow-minded to discriminate against a country because of its chosen form of governance. I may dislike it – just like I abhor capital punishment – but I’m not sure this is reason enough to make a blanket statement and boycott an entire country or group of countries. And in reality many countries I’ve visited over the years are hostile to women’s rights and yet I’m not boycotting them.
So I’m starting to think I’m unfairly discriminating against countries that adhere to Sharia law like the Maldives and Saudi Arabia. As I re-think my position, I thought I’d open in up to hear your thoughts.
Comments welcome.
Tags: capital punishment, death penalty, Maldives, Saudi Arabia, Sharia Law
This entry was posted on Friday, August 29th, 2014 and is filed under Arab Region.
NEW: Saudi Arabia: To Go or Not to Go? Grappling with Sharia law in my travels: http://t.co/OWsDwbNTem
Having visited many of the countries you listed, and some you did not (Jordan has Sharia law), the degree of enforcement depends on the country. Saudi Arabia is very strict, but a friend spent 2 years there teaching in a girls’ university. She found it very informative and special. I would visit S.A., but their borders are closed once again to tourists. I would recommend visiting if you have the opportunity. As a Westerner, we can learn much by being open-minded.
Thank you Shrerrill for your thoughts. I agree that this would be an opportunity to get to know women and girls and hear their perspective about living in Saudi Arabia / being Saudi Arabian — which would teach me a great deal.
The Sharia Law is blown out of proportion by western media, it is not something that is to be fearful of. It is just that some of the countries above implement their own Sharia Law to an extreme as such, they implement their version of Islam (the Quran in no way says that women must be covered to the extreme that they are in Saudi). There are extremists in every religion as I know you realize. Saudi Arabia has a long way to progress, but it is slowly occurring. It is your own choice to not visit a country because of your own moral or political opinions, but sometimes looking outside your own box is helpful in either verifying what you believe, or adding a different perspective. As you have traveled a lot, I am sure you already know this. The unknown is scary and one must do research to make sure when visiting these countries, you are following the laws. In my opinion, I think you should go, if you can get a visa, I think specifically speaking at all girls school would be beneficial. Not only would you be a witness to Saudi women and their views, but you will also make an impact on those girls in Saudi as a westerner. The Saudi culture is very different than the rest of the middle east and it is worth while to understand their position on things. Though be wary of questions you ask because most of the time, they will not say anything against their king out of fear. I believe that Saudi Arabia will change drastically change in the next decade or 2. If you look at their history prior to striking oil, they were more progressive. I think you should go. Jill
Thank you Jill for your thoughtful comments. I agree that a huge part of traveling is the opportunity to learn about cultures we don’t know a lot about.
You should defiantly go. The ruling government often time doesnt represent the majority views. Go, go go. What an opportunity. Anyone I have ever met from Saudi is very opened minded. I am Jewish and they were very friendly and wanted to be friends. When others learn about freedom they will deisre it for themsevles.
Thanks for your words of encouragement BH.
Re Saudi Arabia – Please put your brain before your heart as the whole region is too volatile. Re capital punishment in the U.S. – There should be consequences for murder and more concern for the victim and the victim’s family. Take of yourself so you can continue to be an inspiration to others. Your loving Aunt Joan
Hi Aunt Joan, Thanks for your words of concern. You’re right, the region is volatile. Am taking the decision seriously. XO, E.
Great comments already! I think you should go!
You will learn a lot about the country just be being there – a lot is “seen” and “felt”. Stuff the media doesn’t share. I loved going to Kuwait and seeing what is “real”. I wish that I could have gone to Saudi just to experience it for myself. Go for it!!
I recently been asked to go to the Maldives and have decided to go, despite the country’s adherence to Sharia law. My stance is now to go and learn first-hand when I have the opportunity to understand cultures on a deeper level.