I am a Muslim who is American and I would like to know the personal opinion of women's lives in Saudi Arabia

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Freeman

I travel to Saudi for work and can say that things are changing (some for the good and some for the bad).
The facts - it is expected that woman follow Muslim traditions and dress guidelines (e.g.: cover your arms and legs with loose clothing, and covering your hair). To help avoid rude attention from men; women should always cover their hair in mosques during payers. The chador (long, loose robe that covers entire body and head) are often combined with a veil worn across the face with a small slit through which the wearer can see. I have noticed that many western women do not cover their heads while shopping (but you are not moving there to copy them). Additionally, expect to be culturally and physically isolate from man, this is a fact of life. In fact you will notice more than anyone else, because you already have many freedoms that are not part of this society.
On the plus side - people are generally very friendly and interested in your options. I love hearing “Welcome to the Kingdom” when arriving at the airport.
Although like many Middle Eastern cultures, people don’t always respect another person’s personnel space (or the fact that you were in line before them). So if you don’t mind someone standing in you pocket, or being dismissed with a wave of a hand, then you’ll love this unique cultural phenomenon.
I would suggest visiting before you make a decisions, and I would make this suggestion regardless of where you were moving. Maybe a walk on the wild side, like Hijra (but also take the opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture through a cultural activity – ask at your local Mosk to help coordinate something during your visit).
Never-the-less: hears my message – never rule anything out, but what value is making this decision gaining you or your children? Society is not raising your children, you are – so be strong in your faith, have commitment to your abilities, and be focused on your goals for your children.

rahoobi

im a saudi girl..
will u can come here a live ..saudi is a very lovely and peacful society ..im happy and i have a normal life..
in america ppl have a bad idea of our lives ..

Samantha

I don't think Saudi is the right choice for a woman!

Choose another Islamic country to live in... trust me!

If you don't have a husband and want to move there all alone with ur children... ur gonna regret it...

♥Bijou Cat♥❀♡

I do know someone (female) who lived there for around seven years and they were very happy there and became a Muslim out there. They had to leave since for family reasons but they know of several other European/American women who have lived out there with their families for many more years than that and stay because they really do love it out there and feel SAFE.

i couldn't tell you exactly how Saudi Arabia is like..............
first, all respect to this country, the country of our prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
but when come to live there, i believe it will be a tough living, they don't let women to drive cars there, they are so strict, and actually it's not from Islam at all to strict someone's freedom as long as he is harmless to the society.
also it's obligatory, i think, to wear the hijab.............still which is against the teachings of Islam to be obliged to do something.
i know that hijab is an obligatory, and i'm a hijabi girl, but Allah leaves you to still have the choice to wear it or not............ and not people to decide to you what to take and what to leave.
try to go to a country that can have respect to the freedom of women as it is mentioned in Islam, and not man made doctrines.
peace be upon you all.

Mintee

You need to elaborate a bit on your question... Are you wanting to live in Saudi without a husband?.. You cannot do this.. First off, you need a sponsor ie: someone who is a citizen of this country to allow you to come to Saudi, you just cant immigrate here on your own.. Also women dont live alone here, you will not be allowed to rent an apartment here by yourself. You would need a sponsor to do this for you.. Usually women who are divorced, just move back to their family's home, or their former husband allows them to remain in the home they lived in. He might move on.. .. I myself am american-saudi... I have lived both places.. I now reside here in saudi with my Saudi husband.. I love it here. I am not the sort that wants to go covorting around, discos, drinking etc.. So the layed back life here is fine for me. The moral fiber of Saudi's is generally good.. Your children will be raised in a good environment. They will be gender seperated in schools, no dating, no early pressure for the teens to be distracted by opposite genders. No proms, no dating, no going out to the movies, etc.. The crime rate here is so low, you can leave your doors unlocked and no one bothers.. People here are mostly just honest.. Now I wont lie.. there are the bad folks as in every country yes, but for the most part, people here are generous and good natured.. Just a little stressed out when it comes to driving.. The road systems here are terrible.. I think Saudi ranks #3 for worst driving record in the world.. and believe me.. I white knuckle it everytime me and my husband go out driving.. haha! but once you get used to that, all is ok. .. If you can fine someone to sponsor you and help you immigrate here, (it will be hard) but you would like it..

Spiderman

The best education is a vacation.
There is good and bad in everything everywhere on the face of this earth...THIS IS NOT HEAVEN REMEMBER WHO IS HERE!
Islam is not practiced the way Allah SWT intended inthe East... that is a Written Fact 1428 years ago.. why the hell would you want to go there when your already in a place you are allowed to practice the Quran the way it was intended... Shareeha law or not.. we have freedom here...YOU WILL LOOSE IT THERE GUARANTEED!

♦Chimera Meerkat♦

I can't truly say for sure, but many of them came to Malaysia to live/study/seek shelter.

Many said that their freedom, liberty & etc ain't as much as other countries like e.g. US. You should understand it's because of their political situations & mentality in religion. But not all are that depressing, they are given equal oppourtunity in studies; but not so in getting jobs & social life for female; except if you've some "connections".

Depends on your career & how deep is your family/relatives commitment. If you really desire to bring up your child in Islamic society; you can do so in other countries as well besides in the Middle East. B'cs I'm sure you'll worry about the future of your children as well.

Sassafrass

Ehhh, I have heard way too many bad stories from Muslim women and non-Muslim women about Saudi...The only good stories I have heard came from women who were either independantly wealthy enough or their husbands were and they were able to travel out of the country enough (with the husbands permission of course -It's the law).

and I know what Nada meant when she said it was the Prophet's country (and I agree) but for me when i hear Saudi Arabia I think it is not the same thing -maybe it doesn't make sense...but to me, Arabia was the prophet's land--not SAUDI Arabia

Vicki K

just move to dearborn, michigan...you'll feel like your there

doly

i am muslim too
and i used to live in riyadh
u know some girls enjoy living there
but u know they are very strict
i mean like girls are obliged to wear a hijab and sometimes to cover their head
all the shops close at the time of salah
if u have daughters and they are teenagers
they cant g to the mall by themselves cos it is kind of risky
besides it is really really HOT
see i am an egyptian and i lived most of my life i egypt
so i didnt like living there
if u like to go to saudi arabia
i advise u to go to mekkah or madinah cos
ur children can live in a completely islamic society
life there is peaceful and women are free
i went there and i hope to go there again cos they are really lovely places
there also other places wich are very nice such as jeddah
and khobar

discodiva

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4397615.stm

Chem

Each country has its own advantages and disadvantages I heard several times from friends that things would be much easy to live in Muslim society where there no much pressures of fetnah and live the spiritual atmosphere in Ramadan and Eids… Saudi Arabia is very safe country and ideal place for the family everything here are provided to met the family needs and privacy, gardens, restaurants, malls and so on . There is no consummation of Alcohol and drugs. You just need to choose a good School , neighborhood and good friends and things will be fine , health care delivery is almost free , salaries are high and free Taxes. I would recommend you to visit the Kingdome for Umrah and assess the place and find about the American and others families who live here. However, to live here it means that you will have to give up some of your freedom you will not be able to drive a car, you will dress in certain way , your husband will take few more responsibilities, the education system is not advanced as in the US but you can join your children in advanced school which will costs alot .

Personally … I’m proud of my cultural identity and. I appreciate all the good things I have in my life lovable and supportive family and great friends I also, don’t have financial, safety, health, security concerns ….I only don’t like that my choices (education , job) unreasonable restricted and I can’t follow some of my interests . I Also, hope that some strict official and social rules will change and give us more space... I believe in freedom with the limitation that Islam cleared to us (not harm ourselves or others).

Ankaboot

I totally agree with alot of people saying what they are about the people there not the place.
Your better off finding a hole in the ground giving up every right you could ever enjoy here and just go lay there forever.
Saudi Arabia is like living on the moon compaired to America or Canada... I highly suggest you go visit!
And like spiderman said... you will come running back home and kissing the very ground you left and never leave it again.

Didn't you ever watch "NOT WITHOUT MY DAUGHTER" THAT IS A TRUE STORY!

Butterfly

Im a muslim as well but im from Dubai (UAE). Hmm living there is not bad as i think, i've got some family members there, before a while women were allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia, but they might've got a good reason 4 forbidding them in the first place because the driving isnt very safe there, its kind of violent, but in general the women are well-respected over there, as well as there are so so many other races there, i mean you wont feel like a stranger =) !

TheDude

i really don't know what to say to you , i could nt subject my children to some of the laws those society's have , to many punishments are based on personal opinion or group opinion by a few men roaming around the street.

all i can say is if my god told me to blow myself up and others with me

id convert

elmjunburke

Please read Lola's message, she's my kind of girl.

Lola

I can tell you right now that you will hate it over there. You will be a slave to the men in that country. You will lose all of the freedom that you have here in America. But then you don't appreciate freedom, so please leave us. We don't want anyone here who doesn't appreciate and cherish the freedom that our fathers/mothers and brothers/sisters and sons/daughters have died to preserve for us. You won't be able to drive there, or leave the house without your husband. Oh, you didn't mention having one of those. You might be executed over there for having children out of wedlock. Women are possessions not people. Also if you're black and you are playing Muslim like so many blacks do because they think that Christianity is a white religion you will be in for a major surprise. But like I said, you hate freedom so go be a slave in another country. You are free to make that choice, of course, only while you're in this country.

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