The
visit of Michelle Obama to Saudi Arabia to condole Al Saud for their loss
caused vehemence on social networking sites. The first lady was portrayed as an
arrogant, defiant, disgruntled and critical little princess who laughed at Saudi
culture in the face of the royal family. The virgin eyes of many Saudis could
not stand the image of an unveiled lady standing between men in a funeral (the
horror). How dare she? How dare she use her position as the president’s wife to
defy the essence of Saudi social conduct? Slamming the Saudi attire as inappropriate and
feeling relaxed in her wardrobe...the shame.
It
baffles me to see how double standards are so easily accepted in many Arab
states, Saudi Arabia being crowned at the top of the list. The argument used by
some Saudis (not all are closed minded of course – many are enlightened,
educated and civilized) is that when in Rome do what the Romans do. Respecting
the Saudi culture, good or bad, is only polite. Just like Mrs. Obama wore decent
outfits and a veil in her state visit to Indonesia, to show respect to the Islamic
culture, the same act of modesty should have been displayed in the Riyadh
visit.
Their
argument falls short of two important components:
1- Mrs. Obama and the entire female population are not forced
to cover up in Indonesia. The first lady had the choice to either wear a veil – in an act
of respect to the culture- or not. Women in almost all Muslim nations across
the globe are not confined to certain attire, and their relationship with the
veil is governed by their own decision, not the state’s code of clothing. Saudi
women are not given the freedom of choice, and are obliged to cover up from
head to toe in dark baggy abayias to please hard-liners. No Sir,
Michelle Obama will not be coerced into that and will not hide in the background
to avoid confrontation.
2- The argument goes that in a foreign state you must respect
the general cultural. By that token, Saudi woman visiting western states must
also respect the general culture and unveil in order to respect cultural sensitivities.
A veil, which was reduced to a cultural identity rather than an act of modesty
and a demonstration of respect to Islamic tenants, must be treated as such
outside the borders of the Kingdom.
Some
may agree to humour these fundamental, sexist and absolutely ridiculous norms-of-conduct.
Not Michelle Obama, not any woman with a shred of dignity.
Comments
Post a Comment