Quality Content Writers Group
Saudi Arabia
by Rae Steinbrink
Rae Steinbrink 
This afternoon I saw a news report that brought tears to my eyes. In essence, a woman in Saudi Arabia is being whipped as punishment because SHE caused several men to "gang" rape her. I am appalled that such barbaric and primitive practices are actually condoned in this day and age anywhere in the world. Talk about NOT taking responsibility for your actions! I do understand the culture (and, of course, do not agree with it) but to blame a woman because these men could not control themselves, could not respect another human being, could not and would not take responsibility for their actions is unconscionable! Not only IS SHE being disciplined, but when she appealed the sentence, more lashes were added to her sentence and her attorney was stripped of his license and disbarred! This country is suppose to be more modern and up to date than other middle east countries, yet the judge did not rule based on the laws of the government, but on his religion. (The news report had stated that government laws are routinely ignored in favor of the predominant religious laws) To me, these men are not men at all but little boys trying to play in a grown up world. I just hope the gas in YOUR car is worth the price all the women in Saudi Arabia have to pay!
Nov 19th 2007 17:44
This afternoon I saw a news report that brought tears to my eyes. In essence, a woman in Saudi Arabia is being whipped as punishment because SHE caused several men to "gang" rape her. I am appalled that such barbaric and primitive practices are actually condoned in this day and age anywhere in the world. Talk about NOT taking responsibility for your actions! I do understand the culture (and, of course, do not agree with it) but to blame a woman because these men could not control themselves, could not respect another human being, could not and would not take responsibility for their actions is unconscionable! Not only IS SHE being disciplined, but when she appealed the sentence, more lashes were added to her sentence and her attorney was stripped of his license and disbarred! This country is suppose to be more modern and up to date than other middle east countries, yet the judge did not rule based on the laws of the government, but on his religion. (The news report had stated that government laws are routinely ignored in favor of the predominant religious laws) To me, these men are not men at all but little boys trying to play in a grown up world. I just hope the gas in YOUR car is worth the price all the women in Saudi Arabia have to pay!
Nov 19th 2007 17:44
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Comments
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Jeff Greene
 Online Marketing Specialist/ConsultantEveryone in the world had better keep their eyes open... There are some huge changes in the way "justice" is being interpreted. Nov 19th 2007 18:36 |
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Arthur Webster
 Just plain honestyHi, Mizrae, This is a very sad story indeed and one that does no credit to anybody but - just think on this -- In trials of accused rapists in American and British courts it is quite normal and expected (by the defence) that the victim will be accused of dressing provocatively, behaving in a licencious manner and generally encouraging her attackers. This does cause many rape victims not to report offences committed against them and often results in rapists escaping punishment. I am not familiar with this particular case but my experiences in the Middle East (admittedly a long time ago when I was fighting there) are that women are revered (if only for their scarcity value) and always treated with respect if they abide by the local rules and standards of conduct. It is a great pity, in some ways, that the literal translation of a holy book can blind men to natural justice but, before we cast any stones we must make sure that our own glass houses are well founded and rock proof. Extremes always happen and they usually get all the media coverage, and, of course, the harsh rules applied in Saudi Arabia are bound to create a sensational case every now and again. I wonder when the last school child in Saudi Arabia was mugged and beaten to within an inch of his life - - - - for his shoes!!! I wonder when the last convicted murderer went unpunished in Saudi Arabia. I wonder when the last teacher was attacked by parents or senior children in saudi Arabia. I wonder when the last school massacre took place in saudi Arabia. Miscarriages of justice happen all over the world and many punishments seem harsh when viewed through the eyes of those not familiar with the social attitudes of another country. To be able to criticise one case without bearing in mind the over all law abiding status of the local population one must also live in a similarly law abiding population. Unfortunately, few of us in the West can claim to live in anything like such an unbreakable glass house. Recently, in England, a father was kicked to death in front of his two teenage daughters because he asked a group of teenagers if they had damaged his wife's car. This was not an unusual or isolated incident and cases like this happen on an almost daily basis - indeed, combine the USA and UK and it probably does happen on a daily basis. Should we really be casting the first stone? I do not condone what happened but I do question our right to criticise without knowing all the facts. Nov 20th 2007 04:27 |
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Rae Steinbrink
While I appreciate your comments, I am appalled that a victim (and clearly this young 19-year old was a victim) gets punished along with the men who raped her (which should be punishment enough)....200 lashes as well as 6 months in prison? Am I casting stones, no I do not think so! Nor do I believe any victim anywhere should be punished because of some antiquated religious views. I do realize we have a great deal of crime here in the States and that justice does not always prevail, but even here in the states, we are moving away from the idea that a woman is at fault when it comes to rape, including a woman's husband! Furthermore, the young man this woman was with was also beaten and raped (according to the news report) and he's where? Is he being lashed? No. Nov 20th 2007 11:57 |
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Rae Steinbrink
For those of you interested, there is a special on CNN (I think) this Friday (11-07) at 9:00 p.m profiling just this type of behavior in the middle east. Based on the previews, this is not a program for the faint of heart and appears this "religious" discipline is nothing more than physical abuse toward women. Dec 5th 2007 16:25 |
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Arthur Webster
Just plain honestyHi, again, Mizrae, I can understand your concern for this young lady but I fear that the bruhaha that is being created is yet another of those propaganda efforts that are being used to demonise the Arab countries. I was discussing this particular case with some Muslim friends and they were all of the opinion that the sentence this young lady received was more for admonishment while that delivered to the men in the case was very severe and, in one case, crippling. It was asked of me why the people of the USA were concerned about a young woman they did not know while they treated with total nonchallance the fates hundreds of young women with children who had had their families torn apart by the lies of their leaders. They wanted me to explain why American war veterans were now at the back of the queue when it came to support if they were wounded and invalided out of the service. They wanted me to explain why these same people are, even now, listening to more lies exhorting them to support the invasion of another Middle Eastern country on the whim of leader whose own intelligence services tell him he is wrong. Why do they support something that will lead to many millions of destroyed families and, possibly, the use of nuclear weapons? I have no answers - do you? Dec 8th 2007 00:58 |
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Rae Steinbrink
Actually, Arthur, I share the same concerns! I do not like nor even respect our current president, nor did I vote for him! I too wonder what is becoming of this great country along with our war veterans! I wish I COULD answer some of these questions and I truly believe I am not alone! Perhaps I should blog about the concerns I have for MY country as well? I promote 10 Million Clicks for Peace FOR the families torn apart by this alleged war in the Middle East, I AM concerned, and my heart bleeds, for these INNOCENT victims as well. Believe me when I say there are more and more Americans who are starting to raise their voices in dismay and question the actions of this American's president and his cohorts! I wish I could do more, so the next time you talk with your friends tell them I DO CARE! Dec 8th 2007 06:44 |
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Arthur Webster
Just plain honestyHi, Mizrae, I think we are observing something of a culture clash and these are the sorts of domestic issues that are so often read incorrectly and turned into international concerns. It would have been good to see more people responding here - but politics is never an easy subject. Certainly there is an obvious ground swell of opinion against the current USA and UK administrations - let's hope it does not decline. Dec 10th 2007 13:20 |
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Hi Rae,
Yes, this happens there - I think they call it punishment for contributing
to the crime. Have heard about it before, and it is probably fairly
common - we don't hear about most cases. This from a country
with one of the highest incomes per capita in the world!
Don't they still chop of the hands of thiefs who are repeat offenders too?
Not a country I'd like to visit........
Nov 19th 2007 17:58