JEDDAH, 6 August 2006 — A media team from Turkey interviewed yesterday a group of Saudi women at the Jeddah Literary Club ahead of an expected visit by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to Turkey.
The team, consisting of a crew from CNN and a journalist from Milliyat newspaper, has been in Jeddah for two days conducting interviews with various officials and is expected to interview the king today. The interviews will be aired during the king’s visit to Turkey, which begins on Tuesday.
Mithat Bereket, the producer and presenter heading the CNN crew, told Arab News that they were interested in meeting Saudi women of different backgrounds to hear their views about issues affecting their lives.
Dr. Fatima Elias, English literature professor at the Girl’s Education College, welcomed the team and briefly spoke about the Jeddah Literary Club. The 10 women and five college students attending the meeting then introduced themselves. The conversation delved into the usual topics of interest for many of the foreign media personnel, such as the issue of driving, legal rights and business aspirations.
Samar Fatany from Saudi Radio spoke about the challenges for women as well as new opportunities opening up for them under the reign of King Abdullah.
“Women have been taking the lead for the younger generation to move forward. The media are also playing a role in highlighting women’s achievements and promoting dialogue,” said Fatany.
In terms of women rights and empowerment, Dr. Basma Al-Omair, director of Khadija bint Khuwailed Center for Businesswomen at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said women need to be made aware of their rights.
Maha Fitaihi, a women’s activist, emphasized the difference between Islam and the cultural traditions holding back women. However, others pointed out that Saudi women have achieved a lot in their career — in medicine, business or the arts — despite the obstacles. They continue to break barriers, says Fitaihi, but the foreign media focus deliberately on negative stereotypes.
Bereket and Utku Gakirozer from Milliyat newspaper asked what women here thought of the driving ban. The issue, of course, raised different views between those in favor and those opposed for the time being.
Dr. Hanaa Hijazi, a family physician and writer, said that she wants this ban on women lifted if for no other reason but not to be stigmatized as the only country that does not allow women to drive. Most of the women agreed that it should be a matter of choice and they acknowledged that the resistance to the idea is based on social perceptions and fears.
One of the young college students, Lama Natra, said those who question why women would want to drive should ask men why they drive.
“My dream is to drive in my Jeep with my girlfriends from Jeddah to Riyadh,” she said.
The meeting ended with the women expressing high hopes of positive changes to come as promised by the king.
