During my flu season I have been reading Tina Thunander's "Travelling in Sharialand. A report on women's lives in Saudi Arabia". Tina is quite lost when she lands in the kingdom, but is soon given a lesson in the state of affairs by the Ministry of Information's envoy.
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ShareImagine that you and I are in the desert and it happens that you haven't covered your legs, and I happen to see them. Then I get - I'm sorry to say this - but I get horny. I can't help it, because that's the way men are made. That's why you should be covered. It's for your own safety.
Outside perspective, but still interesting
This is a book about a Muslim society, written by a Western woman. A clear outside perspective, but still interesting. Not least because Tina gets to visit a number of women's environments that are rarely reported on.
And it is not only Tina's voice that is heard, but above all those who are interviewed: the women at the university, the guest workers, the princes, the learned man who issues fatwas and the former Sharia judge. A fascinating, breathtaking and sometimes frightening journey through an unknown country.
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Cat in Asia says:
An interesting book, in many ways. The book is relatively new and the winds of change are blowing there, although it may not look like it to us. Now men are no longer allowed to work in shops that sell underwear, which has opened up for women to go out and work, while the men in the shops have lost their jobs... The debate has been loud but the king is said to have stood his ground on this issue... But it is said that it has not been easy to fill these vacancies with women, according to the news on Aljezera. News on Aljezera.
15 March 2012 - 2:47
marina says:
I enjoyed it very much when I read it - hugely interesting and fascinating reading! Really admire the woman who managed to undertake this journey!
15 March 2012 - 3:50
Annelie-Singapore says:
Thanks for the tip, already downloaded to the iPad and started reading, also bought her book "Child brides".
Exciting and very interesting.
When I came here to Singapore, I started following a Swedish woman who was an accompanying person living in Saudi Arabia, her blog was called something like Rondellhund. She wrote very exciting and interesting how it was to be a traveller. But all of a sudden 2 years ago it was gone. I have searched and searched but can't find anything anymore. I wonder what happened.
I hope you are fully recovered from the flu.
Hugs Annelie
15 March 2012 - 7:20
Annika says:
I must read it!
When you are in Nairobi, you must visit the Carnevoir restaurant. Sure it's touristy, but it's a great experience!
15 March 2012 - 9:46
Lena & Jan says:
Interesting, but how helpless you feel that we have not come further in the western world in gender equality, you wonder how long it will take in their world!
15 March 2012 - 12:18
Tess says:
I highly recommend The Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, by Jamie Ford.
Take care of yourselves // hugs
15 March 2012 - 20:01
admin says:
Katta in Asia, thanks for the interesting input! The changes can certainly be hard to see for us, and some seemingly small steps can have a big impact.
Marina, I agree! It is impressive and courageous.
Annelie in Singapore, oh, so she has written more books? Sounds interesting! Strange about the blog....?
Annika, thanks for the Nairobi tip! That restaurant is already in mind actually!
🙂
Lena & Jan, yes, it's probably the small step changes that apply, one guesses ...
Tess, thanks for the tips!
15 March 2012 - 20:53
Hallin's travel blog on Resia says:
Thanks for the tip! Sounds interesting!
16 March 2012 - 13:28