JEDDAH, 27 September 2006 — The quest for water continues here as reports are flying over rolling “water blackouts” and discrimination against non-Saudis at water-truck distribution centers — and, of course, the inevitable fisticuffs that come from a culture that seems acutely allergic to the idea of forming an organized queue.
Women, too, seem to be getting into the smack-down action at the water centers. Umm Abdulkareem, a 45-year-old Saudi and mother of eight, couldn’t take it any more after another women snatched her water coupon (a purchase receipt used to give to the man who sends a water truck to your building) out of her hand.
A struggle ensued between the two women and Umm Abdulkareem emerged victorious, coupon in hand, ready to go home with a truckload of fresh water to be deposited in the cistern of her building.
Umm Abdulkareem returned to the water center a couple of days later as her water supply was dwindling, to find a line extending out and around the block.
Hot, frustrated, and perhaps a little grumpy due to the daytime fasting, several women began fighting among each other over who would be first to claim the elixir of life, the sweet water that seems to elude some districts of the city.
Police had to be called in to break up the women, who were swinging at each other, no hold barred, their hair flying well out of their hijabs.
Dejected, Umm Abdulkareem decided to keep her wits and went home coupon-less.
