The Oppression of Saudi Men!

Over and over, I hear about the oppression of Saudi women. Poor things! Unable to drive. Forced to cover from head to toe. Unable to work. Unable to leave the home without a male guardian. Blah Blah Blah. Well what about the men. The poor men in Saudi Arabia are so brainwashed and so sheltered from the outside world, that they don't even realize that they are oppressed. Where I come from, no man would put up with such abuse day in and day out. In my country, a woman works full time to pay the mortgage and the bills. When the children need to go to the doctor - it's the woman who must arrange to take them. If they need to go to after school activities, the woman takes them. If there is a problem at school, the woman goes. The aisles at the grocery store are filled with women who are doing the shopping and also paying for the groceries then they go home a prepare the meals. If a woman needs a passport, she has to drive to have her picture take, fill out the form, write the check, drive to the post office, mail the letter. If it gets lost in the mail, it is the woman who must track it down. When the gas tank is empty, the woman fills it! When the car breaks down, she takes it to the mechanic - some even fix it themselves. In my country and all over the world, the men are free to hang out with their buddies and watch football - unhindered, uninterrupted, but not in Saudi Arabia. Here in Saudi Arabia the poor men are forced to chauffeur their children, their wives, their mothers and their sisters. If the family runs out of milk, the man has to get it. If the man gets ill, he has to drive himself to the hospital and then to the pharmacy to buy his prescription. If the kids are sick, he goes. Problem at school, he goes. Passports for the family, he goes. Such a situation surely would not be tolerated by men in any other nation. Such oppression would not be tolerated. Men would be in the streets complaining bitterly about their plight -but not in Saudi Arabia. The men just let it go on and on. Where are the human rights organizations? Where is the media? Where is the education? Poor oppressed Saudi Men - they need to wake up! They need to wise up. They need to learn what the rest of the world already knows. Remove the chains - let the women do it.

Back in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Alhamdulilah! After a long absence, I've finally returned to Saudi Arabia. (four months in America) Four months of being an adult, having to pump my own gas, pay my own bills, prepare my own food. Four months of taking my car to the machanic and fixing the broken garage door. Four months of driving myself wherever I needed to go. Four months without a maid! I'm not sure how I survived it all.
I must admit, it wasn't all bad. The weather was beautiful up until two weeks before I left. The shopping was great and It was nice to spend time with my friends and family. Anyway, I'm back now and am pondering what if anything has changed in my absence. I'll begin by reading what my fellow bloggers have been saying as well as digging in to the local papers. As soon as I get a grip on the local climate, I'll be publishing just like old times. Stay tuned!

الملك عبدالله أنا بخير وصحة ما دمتم بخير

Eid Mubarak!

What is Eid al Adha?

At the end of the Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca), Muslims throughout the world celebrate the holiday of Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice). In 2010, Eid al-Adha will begin on November 16th, and will last for three days.
What does Eid al-Adha commemorate?
During the Hajj, Muslims remember and commemorate the trials and triumphs of the Prophet Abraham. The Qur'an describes Abraham as follows:
"Surely Abraham was an example, obedient to Allah, by nature upright, and he was not of the polytheists. He was grateful for Our bounties. We chose him and guided him unto a right path. We gave him good in this world, and in the next he will most surely be among the righteous." (Qur'an 16:120-121)
One of Abraham's main trials was to face the command of Allah to kill his only son. Upon hearing this command, he prepared to submit to Allah's will. When he was all prepared to do it, Allah revealed to him that his "sacrifice" had already been fulfilled. He had shown that his love for his Lord superceded all others, that he would lay down his own life or the lives of those dear to him in order to submit to God.
Why do Muslims sacrifice an animal on this day?
During the celebration of Eid al-Adha, Muslims commemorate and remember Abraham's trials, by themselves slaughtering an animal such as a sheep, camel, or goat. This action is very often misunderstood by those outside the faith.
Allah has given us power over animals and allowed us to eat meat, but only if we pronounce His name at the solemn act of taking life. Muslims slaughter animals in the same way throughout the year. By saying the name of Allah at the time of slaughter, we are reminded that life is sacred.
The meat from the sacrifice of Eid al-Adha is mostly given away to others. One-third is eaten by immediate family and relatives, one-third is given away to friends, and one-third is donated to the poor. The act symbolizes our willingness to give up things that are of benefit to us or close to our hearts, in order to follow Allah's commands. It also symbolizes our willingness to give up some of our own bounties, in order to strengthen ties of friendship and help those who are in need. We recognize that all blessings come from Allah, and we should open our hearts and share with others.
It is very important to understand that the sacrifice itself, as practiced by Muslims, has nothing to do with atoning for our sins or using the blood to wash ourselves from sin. This is a misunderstanding by those of previous generations: "It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah; it is your piety that reaches Him." (Qur'an 22:37)
The symbolism is in the attitude - a willingness to make sacrifices in our lives in order to stay on the Straight Path. Each of us makes small sacrifices, giving up things that are fun or important to us. A true Muslim, one who submits his or herself completely to the Lord, is willing to follow Allah's commands completely and obediently. It is this strength of heart, purity in faith, and willing obedience that our Lord desires from us.

Hadith

The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said, "One who helps a fellow
Muslim in removing his (or her) difficulty in this world, Allah will remove
the formers distress on the Day of Judgment. He who helps to remove the
hardship of another, will have his difficulties removed by Allah in this
world and in the Hereafter. One who covers the shortcomings of another
Muslim, will have his faults covered up in this world and the next by Allah.
Allah continues to help a servant so long as he goes on helping his own
brother (or sister)." (Muslim)

A Special Thought for Eid Al-Adha

"Truly in the heart there is a void that cannot be removed except with the
company of Allah. And in it there is a sadness that cannot be removed except
with the happiness of knowing Allah. And in it there is an emptiness that
cannot be filled except with love for Allah and by turning to and always
remembering Him. And if a person were given all of the world and what is in
it, it would not fill this emptiness." (Ibn al-Qayyim Al-Jawziyya)

Happy Eid to all of my Muslim brothers and sisters during this precious time.