GROWING UP SAUDI NONFITION READING RESPONSE

This week I read a nonfiction article from the New York Times Upfront called, “Growing Up Saudi” by Karen Elliot House. It’s about the young people in Saudi Arabia and how the young are increasingly questioning authority and rocking foundations of this very conservative Islamic society. In Saudi Arabia, specifically in Thalia Street of Riyadh belongs to the rebellious youth. It is an example of tension tearing at Saudi society, as tradition is challenged by modernity.

The youth which are as author Karen says “internet savvy”, so they are well aware of the Western ways but they don’t have almost any freedom options open for them. Saudi Arabia forbids dating, there are few public soccer fields, concerts are outlawed, even listening to music is forbidden by conservative sheikhs, though is widely ignored. Things that is such a normality for us is being forbidden for Saudi’s and they want to experience the joy and freedom we feel. People already started rebelling by breaking certain rules like listening to music and dating secretly. But because Saudi is a authoritarian society there is more to rebel against.

Now certain powers of Saudi I understand have nothing against even though it sets many limitations. A strict fundamentalist interpretation known as Wahhabism governs all aspects of life in Saudi Arabia. The Koran and the teachings of the prophet Mohammed effectively serve as the constitution. Unrelated men and women are totally segregated from one another. Women must wear black head to toe coverings called abayas in public. Marriages are arranged by families with the couple usually meeting for the first time when they become engaged. Since the majority of Saudi is Islamic it makes sense that they make women where abayas. Also arranged marriage isn't a shocker in the east. Unlike on the western side of the world arranged marriage isn't shocking it’s quite common. Even my own parents’ marriage was arranged.

With all these restrictions and limitations it must be hard for Saudi youth who knows of a “different world of their own” and doesn't have access to the same ways. One Saudi single man is quoted in the article saying, “Facebook opens the doors of our cages. The young understand it is part of nature to have a girlfriend or boyfriend and we should not pretend it isn't happening”. This quote in my opinion summarizes my outlook of how the rebellious youth of Saudi Arabia and how bored and restless they are.