Saudi Aramco recently hosted a group of 16 American educators from the Institute of International Educators in an effort to foster Saudi-US relations. During a private luncheon organized by a highly efficient Aramco team headed by Dr. Nabeel Baeshen, manager of Saudi Aramco Affairs of the Eastern Province, I was asked to explain Saudi culture and lifestyle. I tried to explain in brief the nature of our culture, which might seem very strange to people visiting the Kingdom for the first time. Saudi Arabia is home to the Two Holy Cities of Islam - Makkah and Madinah. Religious scholars in Saudi Arabia have been entrusted with the sacred duty to preserve the true teachings of Islam. The erosion of moral values and disrespect for religion the world over is a major concern for Saudi religious scholars, who remain conscious of external influences that could threaten Islamic teachings and beliefs. Therefore, they advocate rigid policies to protect society from permissive practices that are against Muslim values. We live Islam in Saudi Arabia. Some maybe more religious than others, but all are Muslims, believers in one God and of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the last Prophet sent to mankind.
The Holy Qur'an is the country's constitution. It includes the rules that stipulate the implementation of capital punishment, the abolition of alcohol and pork, and the punishment for adultery and homosexuality. Saudis collectively respect and abide by Qur'anic laws sent by God, and Saudi customs emanate from the teachings of the Prophet. Family ties play a great role in shaping Saudi culture and lifestyle. Respect for the elders and the responsibility for children and parents is a religious duty acknowledged by all. The marriage institution is held sacred. It is protected by law and recognized as the only legal relationship between man and woman in Saudi society. Saudi culture is based upon the five pillars of Islam.
The first pillar is the belief in God and Prophet Muhammad as the last messenger to mankind. This is why Muslims abide by the Qur'an and the Prophet's traditions in their daily lives. God-fearing men and women and the more pious people are the most respected in the community, whether rich or poor. For a long time, it was left to a few religious scholars to dictate the teachings of the Qur'an, and this has created a closed society that is very much detached from the reality of the 21st century and has isolated Saudi Arabia from the international community. Today, young men and women encouraged by government reforms do not support the rigid interpretation of Islam of some Muslim scholars. They are more aware of their legal rights in Islam and continue to demand speedy reforms to make Saudi Arabia a modern state.
Prayer is the second pillar of Islam; hence, the call to prayer five times a day is heard throughout the land. Shops and offices close during prayer times to allow the faithful to perform their prayers.
Charity is the third pillar of Islam. Saudis are very active in charity work and treat charity as a religious duty. Many Saudi charities are run by volunteers and funded by people, not government institutions. They are active in collecting money to feed the poor and support families with little means, and provide for widows and orphans. Saudi charities don't fund terrorist organizations that preach "jihad" (holy war) as the Western media claims. Muslims believe that giving charity will protect them from all misfortunes and bless them and their families. Feeding the poor and giving charity is a Saudi Muslim's way of life.
Fasting is the fourth pillar of Islam. Saudis celebrate the month of Ramadan in a special way. During Ramadan Saudis fast for 30 days and offer all-night prayers in the mosques. It is a month of devotion and supplication for Muslims who believe that the gates of heaven are then opened, and all prayers are answered. People stay up all night and sleep after performing their dawn prayers. Ramadan is a season to foster family relations and good neighborliness too. Families break their fasts together, and many special meals are cooked for the occasion. Restaurants prepare Ramadan dishes and cater to Ramadan timings. Muslims begin their fasts at dawn and eat after sunset. Shops and supermarkets are open all night, and it is the season for shopping, socializing and blessings.
The pilgrimage to Makkah is the fifth pillar. Every year Muslims from all over the world come to Saudi Arabia to perform Haj. During Haj season, Saudi citizens are recruited to serve the guests of Allah. Schools break and government offices cater only to Haj-related services. Students are encouraged to volunteer and help the pilgrims perform their Haj safely with ease and comfort.
Wearing the traditional veil and the abaya in Saudi Arabia is a religious obligation meant to safeguard decency and public morality. The veil, or what we call the hijab, is a symbol of modesty for Muslim women. Catching sight of the veil and abaya for the first time an outsider may mistakenly conclude that women wearing these garments hide behind them a well-guarded secret or suffer an oppressed and miserable fate; this is not the case. Saudi women have been active and successful in the medical and teaching professions.
Until recently, however, there were not many other job opportunities for women. The role of women and their integration into the work force continues to be a subject of heated debate. For example, cultural traditions discourage women from working as nurses, hairdressers, saleswomen or similar jobs that occupy them at long, odd hours outside their homes. These low-profile jobs are left for foreign labor, and attempts to allow Saudi women to take up these professions still face a lot of resistance. There are still people who are resisting modernizing Saudi society and raise concerns over the threat of Westernization and erosion of Islamic values and principles.
The segregation of sexes is also a way of life. However, this has not stopped women from working or hindered government efforts to integrate women into the work force. Today, in order to accommodate women in the workplace, many special facilities have been set up in all government departments and business offices. Saudi women are encouraged to seek job opportunities made available for them to take part in building their nation. Many women now play vital roles as professional bankers, information-technology specialists, web designers, marketing consultants and own businesses that contribute to economic development. Before the 1950s, ignorance, combined with traditional norms, was responsible for denying most women in Saudi Arabia their right to education and employment; although by the end of the 1980s and the beginning of the 1990s, the number of women students at all levels had increased tremendously. Yet tradition played a major role in restricting women under the false pretext of protecting public interest and preserving Muslim values and principles. Islamic principles and practices provide an idealistic approach to the position and treatment of women in society. Islam recognizes women as equal partners to men and grants them equal rights within a defined context. However, a distinction should be made between religion and tradition, and we find many reported cases of abuse when tradition does not conform to our religious principles of human rights.
The media and many religious scholars are speaking out against social norms and traditions in Saudi society that are counter to Islamic principles and, therefore, should be re-evaluated and reconsidered. Concerns and fears for women and children are the same all over the world. For women, family welfare instinctively comes first in their lives; however, women of different cultures deal differently with the complexities of everyday life. Saudi society is supportive of professional women who will not neglect their role of mothers and wives. Government efforts continue to provide assistance to help women manage their homes and families while pursuing successful careers.
Meanwhile, unemployment, poverty and discrimination against women still remain formidable challenges that Saudi society strives to overcome. Many economic, social and political reforms still need to be implemented in order to expedite development in the Kingdom. You can be certain that those reforms will both respect and gain strength by using the five pillars of Islam as a firm foundation.
(Samar Fatany is a radio journalist. She is based in Jeddah.)
