DAMMAM, 14 January 2003 — Female members of the Saudi-American Exchange Program met yesterday with a female date farmer at her family’s ranch on the outskirts of Dammam.
The meeting was one of several opportunities that the visiting delegation from various universities and media organizations has had to interact with non-official citizens of the Kingdom.
The purpose of the meeting was to promote understanding and encourage dialogue between both sides.
“Today’s meeting with Mrs. Al-Otaibi gave us the opportunity to talk to and hear the opinions of a working-class Saudi woman,” said Kim Nguyen, a public health student at Yale University. “We had a chance to discuss several important issues. I was surprised at the level of understanding and concern Mrs. Al-Otaibi exhibited in foreign policy matters.”
Lorna Hadley, also a Yale University Public Health student, told Arab News: “The portrayal in the Western media and culture is that Muslim women, especially in Saudi Arabia, are oppressed and subservient. Many Americans believed that the women here were forced to wear the traditional abaya and veil. However, I have come to learn that the women here wear the veil by choice.”
Maryvonne Van Der Bauwede, a jewelry designer from France and a guest of Prince Faisal ibn Fahd ibn Abdullah Al-Saud, the Saudi director of the Saudi-American Exchange, said that she found the abaya very elegant.
“It is very comfortable and beautifies the eyes”, she said.
Amelia Shaw of Yale Public Health said: “I thought that women, by wearing the veil, would be silenced and that symbolized not being allowed any verbal expression. However, when I did wear it, I felt free from being looked at as a sexual object.”
“I think it is interesting that we think more of how much we cover than how much we reveal,” commented Lexie Gross, a political consultant and assistant organizer of the program. “But I still think that women should have the choice whether they wish to cover themselves or not.”
Other members of the group addressed the issue of driving. “Women here should have the choice to drive,” one said. “Driving allows for independence. What do women do if they cannot afford a driver?”
Nahid Al-Omari, a Saudi woman, said that “Women driving is not prohibited by Islam. The simple matter is that Saudi society is not ready for it yet.” “I have come to see that change is happening and progress is being made,” said Anne Barry. “It will take time. The women here seem to be exercising patience.”
