Saturday, 26 January 2008
By Abdullah Al-Hariri and Diana Al-Jassem
JEDDAH - Several married Saudi women seek psychological help to overcome the guilt of cheating, a social worker revealed. Abdulelah Al-Saleh, social service manager at Ibn Baz project that helps arrange marriages, said most of the telephone calls they receive are from women who cheat on their husbands and want to stop.
"Eighty percent of the calls we receive are complaints of couples who cheat each other," said Al-Saleh.
"We also receive calls from huge numbers of men who suspect their wives' morals."
Ibn Baz project quietly plays an important proactive role in Saudi society by addressing such issues and nipping them in the bud. Its counseling process includes making periodical visits to the persons involved so as to reinvigorate their will to avoid cheating in marital life, said Al-Saleh.
According to Ahmad Saeed Al-Zahrani, a social scientist, cheating is a significant reason for the rising divorce rate in Saudi society.
Last week, the Ministry of Social Affairs organized a symposium on divorce in the country in a move to find solutions or at least to reduce the increasing divorce rate.
At the symposium in Riyadh, Minister of Social Affairs Abdul Mohsen Al-Akkas revealed Ministry of Justice statistics showing that divorce was highest at 30.2 percent in the Eastern Province. Riyadh at 25.7 percent and Tabuk at 24 percent came next, while Baha, at 7.6 percent, had the lowest rate.
According to the Justice ministry figures, 18,765 divorce cases were reported out of 90,983 marriages last year, an average of 20 percent.
While there is a precise count on the number of couples breaking up, "There is no specific study to show the numbers of cases of cheating," Dr. Mohammed Al-Hamed, head of Psychology at Bakhsh Hospital told Saudi Gazette.
"In the Middle East there, is no interest in such issues," he said.
"Also nobody is able to confess his or her guilt."
Dr. Al-Hamed attributed various reasons to the rising divorce rates but said that, primarily, "Globalization, improved communications methods and technology have a big effect on our society."
Putting forward a stereotypical argument, he said that the Arabs are trying to imitate Western civilization that believes in "feeling desires."
However, it cannot be denied that more Saudi couples are breaking up as they increasingly adopt modern lifestyles.
Yet, for all the modernity creeping in, sex still remains in the closet of Saudi society, and so sexual problems are just not discussed as openly as in Western societies. As a consequence, only a minority of the sexually distressed seeks psychological help.
Orgasm, for example, is not in the public domain of adult debate.
"In Western society, 25 percent of married couples reach orgasm during sexual relations while in Saudi society the rate is only 10 percent, which is a dangerous signal that suggests increased chances of spousal betrayal," Dr. Al-Hamed said.
He said that sex in Saudi marital life is mostly about acting, where one spouse usually acts for the sake of the other. "The Saudi woman is overly shy and that bothers her husband," he said.
Al-Zahrani, the social scientist, said that quite often he is faced with men or women who would rather go to the extreme of discussing divorce rather than examine its root causes.
"Most of the Saudi men who come to my clinic refuse to discuss cheating and prefer to divorce without finding out the reasons for such betrayal," Al-Zahrani said.
"And most of the women who visit my clinic want to get their husbands back, without divorce."
Suhaila Zein Al-Abedin, a member of the National Human Rights Association (NHRA), said that women seeking divorce often get no help from the courts and hence tend to cheat.
"Some men desert their wives for more than four months and here the women has the right to ask for divorce, but unfortunately our judges deny women this right, which motivates her to betray her husband," said Al-Abedin.
NHRA organizes periodic lectures and symposiums to caution women against illicit sexual relations and their harmful outcome, such as sexually transmitted diseases the most dangerous of which is AIDS.
According to Khaled Marghalani, spokesman of the Ministry of Health, "95 percent of AIDS patients in Saudi Arabia got the disease because of illicit sexual relations." (Jeddah, he added, has the highest incidence of AIDS in the Kingdom.)
Dr. Al-Hamed said that while many sexual problems can be treated psychologically, there remain others that are still regarded as shameful, and therefore not addressed properly by those affected.
"Huge numbers of Saudi men complain of sexual disease, but they do not know how to treat the disease perfectly - the patient would visit a clinic and ignore the main side, which is psychological," said Dr. Al-Hamed.
Psychological distress could occur because of an imbalance in the husband-wife sexual relationship.
"Difference in sexual culture plays an important role in this instance," said Abdulwahab Al-Terairi, assistant general supervisor at Riyadh-based Islam Al-Youm, an organization promoting Islamic values through also publishing a magazine on the subject.
"When one individual in a couple has a varied sexual background and the other has a weak background, the balance in the relationship is usually lost," Al-Terairi said.
He suggested that cheating might perhaps be avoided by properly preparing couples for marriage.
"This is very important, where each one prepares for the marriage requirements, including the sexual culture that brings about psychological closeness and meets emotional needs," said Al-Trairi.
Al-Trairi, Al-Abedin and Dr. Hamed were in agreement that the younger generation must not be allowed to develop a negative sexual culture and further aggravate the divorce problem.
At the grass roots of the problem is the way children are raised, when parents sometimes even prevent their daughter from meeting or even speaking to a male relative.
"Saudi families ban their daughters from doing everything, so when they grow up they become very ashamed of expressing their emotions to their husband," said Dr. Hamed. "They think if they express their emotions, their husband would suspect their morals and even their behavior before marriage."
Al-Trairi said that parents should take "good care of their daughters during adolescence, observe their behavior, and teach them how to develop legal relation as per the Shariah."
Zein Al-Abedin was of the opinion that relevant education at an early age could help avoid such problems.
She found fault with the present school syllabus.
"Our school syllabus almost always discusses the husband's rights and ignores the wife's rights, so the generation is raised with feelings of ego and selfishness, which eventually encourage men to fall for their desires," she said.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Hospitals Act to Prevent Mix-Up
JEDDAH - Hospitals here have introduced the electronic bangle and other tagging measures to reduce the chances of a baby mix-up.
"We get the mother and her baby an electronic bangle immediately after the birth," said Rahma Al-Sinin, PR manager at International Medical Center. "If the mother gets her baby, the bangle will make a sound, so naturally if the bangle do not make sound that means there is switching of babies." The precaution follows the recently uncovered case of two infants, a Saudi boy and a Turkish boy, who were accidentally swapped at birth four years ago at the government-run King Khaled Hospital in Najran.
The case made international headlines last November and it took DNA tests to confirm that Yaqub and Ali were mistakenly switched at birth on Sept. 7, 2003.
Earlier this week, in line with the directives of King Abdullah, Prince Mish'al Bin Saud, Emir of Najran handed over SR300,000 as assistance to each to the two fathers, Saudi national Mohammed Bin Salim Aal Munajjim, a camel breeder, and Turkish national Yusuf Jaweed, who was a car mechanic in Najran for 17 years before he returned to Turkey.
Jaweed, biological father of Ali, subsequently took his case to the Saudi Grievances Court, reportedly seeks millions in compensation from the Saudi Ministry of Health.
It is not only accidental switching of babies that hospitals are now wary of. Kidnapping is also of concern.
According to Al-Sini, in case a baby is missing, the hospital would activate a code that will automatically close the hospital's gates and seal all other exit points.
At Bakhsh Hospital, Nursing department manager Dr. Abla Dababini said they have a different procedure.
"Each baby has to have a special bangle carrying the mother's name, the medical file number, the doctor's name, the baby's sex, and the birth date," Dababini said. "The mother also has to have the same bangle with the same information."
Additionally, the photo of each newborn baby in Bakhsh hospital would be taken immediately after birth and recorded with all information associated with the infant. This includes fingerprints even, which will be filed and made readily available when needed.
Nurses on duty at the nursery have a special uniform, and nobody else would be allowed to enter the section.
Entry into the nursery at both Baksh Hospital and the International Medical Center entails using a code - the door will not open without it. Also cameras keep an eye on the nursery round-the-clock.
Yasmin Al-Ghazali, a Saudi housewife, said she was disturbed to hear about the Najran mix-up.
"I've given birth twice without any fear, but now I cannot trust any of these hospitals, especially after the Turkish and Saudi babies switching incident," she said.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Warning: It’s getting Colder
Tuesday, 22 January 2008
By Diana Al Jassem
JEDDAH - Be warned - it will get colder over the next five days in most parts of the Kingdom, the Met office warned Monday. The Meteorology and Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) said the cold wave, which hit last fortnight could extend up to mid-February.
"We have 40 centers around the Kingdom working 24 hours daily to release newscasts every hour," said Hussain Al-Kahtani, spokesman of Meteorology and Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA).
Thunderstorms and rains are expected in Makkah, Madina, Hail, and Tabuk and most of the Eastern Region, the Met office said. Met warnings are issued through radio, television and newspapers.
Hourly forecasts are available by telephone on the toll-free number 988. In the past fortnight, temperatures plunged in the Central province while there was snowfall in Al-Jouf in the north. In Riyadh, many schools closed because of the chill. In Makkah and Jizan in the west, heavy rains caused flooding in streets.
Schools have drawn up emergency plans after a 13-year-old girl froze to death in northwestern Tabuk last week.
The Met office said the north will take the brunt of the cold wave, where the temperature will range from zero to 6 degrees centigrade.
In Asir, Taif, Baha, and Najran it will be foggy at around 7 to 11 degrees centigrade.
Temperature in Riyadh will be around 5 to 9 degrees centigrade. In the east, it will be around eight degrees centigrade at night. It all spells bad news for students as their mid-term examinations are from Jan. 26 to Feb. 11
By Diana Al Jassem
JEDDAH - Be warned - it will get colder over the next five days in most parts of the Kingdom, the Met office warned Monday. The Meteorology and Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) said the cold wave, which hit last fortnight could extend up to mid-February.
"We have 40 centers around the Kingdom working 24 hours daily to release newscasts every hour," said Hussain Al-Kahtani, spokesman of Meteorology and Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA).
Thunderstorms and rains are expected in Makkah, Madina, Hail, and Tabuk and most of the Eastern Region, the Met office said. Met warnings are issued through radio, television and newspapers.
Hourly forecasts are available by telephone on the toll-free number 988. In the past fortnight, temperatures plunged in the Central province while there was snowfall in Al-Jouf in the north. In Riyadh, many schools closed because of the chill. In Makkah and Jizan in the west, heavy rains caused flooding in streets.
Schools have drawn up emergency plans after a 13-year-old girl froze to death in northwestern Tabuk last week.
The Met office said the north will take the brunt of the cold wave, where the temperature will range from zero to 6 degrees centigrade.
In Asir, Taif, Baha, and Najran it will be foggy at around 7 to 11 degrees centigrade.
Temperature in Riyadh will be around 5 to 9 degrees centigrade. In the east, it will be around eight degrees centigrade at night. It all spells bad news for students as their mid-term examinations are from Jan. 26 to Feb. 11
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Heartfelt plea to President Bush
JEDDAH - The daughters of Saudi student Homaidan Al-Turki who was convicted in late August 2006 by a US court to a total of 28 years to life in prison on a contentious charge of sexually assaulting his Indonesian housekeeper, have released a public appeal to visiting US President George W. Bush to intervene and order the release of their father on the grounds that the trial was unfair. The Colorado trial had captured the attention of the Muslim community worldwide. The Saudi government gave Al-Turki the money he needed to post a $400,000 bond on the charges in Arapahoe County.
The woman testified that the Al-Turki family had brought her to Colorado from Saudi Arabia, and that she lived with Al-Turki and his wife in Aurora for four years during which she worked 7 days a week, was sexually abused by Al-Turki and had her $150 (SR563) a week salary and passport withheld by the family. However, the prosecution produced no solid evidence against Al-Turki. No DNA tests were made to prove sexual abuse.
Instead, the prosecution focused on linking Al-Turki to terrorism, mentioning even 9/11.
During the trial Al-Turki said, "The state has criminalized these basic Muslim behaviors. ..." (such as making the maid wear the Hijab.) ... Attacking traditional Muslim behaviors was the focal point of the prosecution."
In November 2006, Colorado Attorney General John Suthers traveled to Riyadh where he met with the Saudi leadership to clear up "misperceptions" about the US judicial system. Al-Turki's wife, Sarah Khonaizan, pleaded guilty to reduced state and federal charges, in exchange for deportation.
At right is the letter from Al-Turki's daughters to President Bush, who arrived in Riyadh Monday and was expected to depart on Wednesday.
President Bush,
We, as the children of innocent Homaidan Al-Turki, Turki, Lama, Norah, Arwa and Ruba, write to you to inform you about our dear father. We don't know from where to start. Should we start talking about his manners as a person, or as a father or his pure heart that is always open to us? We honestly don't know from where to start.
Our father is a man who is highly respected by his children. We deeply desire to have him back home with us. After he was taken away, we can't describe to you our situation in the house, and how we became sick. None of us had to live here in this country more than a year without our dear father. Even though we live here in such a loving community, and the generosity of our distinguished king, we have been missing our main pillar of life, our father.
Mr. President, we know that you are married and you have two beautiful twin daughters. Have you tried living a year without them? If you were away for so long, your children would feel a great loss and become heart sick. We have said too much but haven't got to the point. We don't know how to describe our living in the house without a father knowing he is still alive. Simply, our household is experiencing a great deal of suffering in our loving father's absence. It is unbearable.
Please, Mr. President, give our letter a lot of your consideration, because as young children we have nothing to do but cry. Our hands are weak, we don't have the power to get our father out. We only have to ask you, after God, to be gracious and bring him back to us.
We could go on as much as 10 pages describing our missed father. Our father is a man who has a heart for his children. He has always been a good provider, seeing to it that our needs are always met before his own. We are sure you can imagine how challenging it is to raise five children and four of them are GIRLS! As you know he has a son who is still young and he takes care of us. It is really hard for him to take his father's place when he is young.
We hope you can appreciate that we love our father and we miss him very much. Our hope is that he comes back to us after this appeal to you. What harm can there be in having our family together? We will be happy when the time comes by God that he is able to prove his innocence.
In the name of God which America trust we ask you to intervene in our father's case and be the cause for the reunion.
Thank you for giving your attention to our letter.
Sincerely,
The children of the innocent, Homaidan Al-Turki, Turki, Lama, Norah, Arwa and Ruba.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Mass Boycott Starts
Sunday, 13 January 2008
By Abdullah Al-Hariri and Diana Al-Jassem
By Abdullah Al-Hariri and Diana Al-Jassem
JEDDAH - Saudi citizens began Saturday a five-day campaign to boycott all local dairy products in a bid to stop spiraling prices of dairy products in the Kingdom. "Let them rot" was the name of the campaign, which gained momentum through SMS messages, emails and websites requesting citizens to join the boycott for five days - the shelf life period of a dairy product.
The campaign hit many stores that reported a drop in dairy sales.
"Many of the dairy products remained on the shelves," said Ahmed Al-Jilani, a salesperson at Al-Rayyan Supermarket in Al-Safa district.
Al-Jilani said, however, he supports the boycott campaign and described the price rise as unreasonable.
"Dairy companies need more lessons in marketing" Al-Jilani said.
The row began when many of the dairy factories in Saudi Arabia decided to increase prices by as much as 20 percent. The move drew the wrath of Saudi citizens across the country.
Major dairy companies have increased prices of fresh milk and laban (yoghurt) by SR1 for the one and two liter bottles.
The companies said that the rise was due to significant increases in production costs in 2007 which included a costlier plastic packaging, spare parts, maintenance, transport and labor.
Hamed Al-Malki, a school principal, said economic boycott is one of the more efficient ways of ending a sharp rise in prices.
"It was used in the early period of Islam and it worked" Al-Malki said.
He said he has forwarded SMS boycott messages to hundreds of contacts listed in his mobile phone.
Fahd Al-Quriqri, a 32-year-old, echoed Al-Malki as he recalled the 2006 boycott for Danish dairy products.
"When all people boycotted the Danish products two years back, the Danish government apologized to all Muslims over the cartoons that insulted Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)."
Al-Quriqri said Saudi citizens are fed up when they hear unreasonable excuses such as "our prices still remain low compared with neighboring countries."
The Ministry of Commerce is trying to limit the price rise that has affected most consumer products over the past year.
But Dr. Muhammad Shams, head of Al Jadwa economic consultation center, said "governmental aids cannot help the consumer, it's just for the merchant's benefit."
"The cause behind this increase is the Ministry of Commerce's ignorance," he said. "They have to observe the prices and put a limit to their rise."
About the boycott, Shams said, "The consumer's role is considered very important, but the boycott cannot affect positively or even solve the problem."
Dr. Habib Allah Turkestani, marketing and business management professor in King Abdulaziz University here said the prices of essential commodities cannot be increased at random
"This increase is dangerous and unreasonable and it will encourage cheaper imports," he said. "Local companies should not be taking risks with the food of citizens. Gaining money cannot be the main aim."
Turkestani said researches centers should examine the price hike and find quick solutions.
"I advise the authorities to visits markets and investigate the causes."
The Saudi market is one of the best consumer markets in the world as far as dairy products are concerned.
Latest statistics show that Saudi Arabia consumes 892 million liters of milk, flavored milk, and laban annually.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Yard raided, Four Held
Thursday, 10 January 2008
By Diana Al Jassem
MAKKAH - Four people were arrested during a police raid Wednesday on a scrap yard. Stolen items like car tires, electrical cables, construction material etc were found in the 700 square meter yard, said Abdul Mohsen Al-Miman, spokesman of Makkah police.
The four arrested people have been transferred to Al-Ka'kia police center to investigate them.
By Diana Al Jassem
MAKKAH - Four people were arrested during a police raid Wednesday on a scrap yard. Stolen items like car tires, electrical cables, construction material etc were found in the 700 square meter yard, said Abdul Mohsen Al-Miman, spokesman of Makkah police.
The four arrested people have been transferred to Al-Ka'kia police center to investigate them.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Shop or We Drop, Many Say
Wednesday, 09 January 2008
By Diana Al-Jassem and
Amal Al-Zahrani in Jeddah and
Susan Zawawi in Riyadh
JEDDAH - Public opinion is divided on the Shoura Council's draft regulation to end shopping hours at 10 P.M. - nearly two hours earlier than usual - during winter and fall. While the big malls and shopping centers generally go along with the change, the small stores say they would lose their peak sales period.
The change, however, does not go down well with most people who fill the streets and crowd the malls and entertainment centers of the big cities like Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam late into the night.
"I protest," said 22-year-old Khoulah Al-Kaoud in Riyadh. "Many people can't shop during the day because they finish work at 6 P.M. or the driver is busy all day with school and house errands."
The draft regulation passed by the Shoura Council on Monday says that fall-winter working hours will be 6 A.M. to 10 P.M and spring-summer timings will be 6 A.M. to 11. P.M.
At present, many stores remain open until nearly midnight since most people set out for their evening outing after the Isha prayer (around 8. P.M.).
The Shoura's proposal will have to be passed by the Council of Ministers for the new timings to take effect. The change is expected within 120 days from Monday, Jan. 7.
For Monirah Abdullateef, who owns a retail shop in Riyadh, the very thought of early closure was dreadful.
"I don't think the shops would even agree since peak sales time is usually after Isha prayer," she said. "Many shops will lose vital customers. I'm certain I will."
But Khaled Al-Mansouri from Sales in Jeddah's New Time Company thought otherwise.
"Closing early can not affect our sales since customers numbers peak between 8 and 9 P.M. Customers have to follow the rules and obey it since the Shoura decision "is looking for a better life for Saudis," Al-Mansouri said.
Big shopping centers, like the popular Hera'a Mall in Jeddah, also have no fears about losing business.
Badr Al-Din Jalal, Hera'a PR manager said: "The new decision will not affect us negatively. Our customers will come to us when we are ready to receive them."
Jalal also thinks that the stores in Hera'a will have no objection. He said, "The shopkeepers are beneficiaries of this decision since they can close early and return to their families."
Exempted from the early closure are 24-hour operations like pharmacies and gas stations. Also, the Shoura draft does not include the holy cities of Makkah and Madina because of the 24-hour stream of pilgrims and visitors to the holy mosques.
It's not only the malls and shops that are affected by the Shoura move. The draft regulation proposes to shut restaurants, coffee shops and fun fairs at 11 P.M. in winter and 12 midnight in summer.
Salah Al-Shehab, Western Province working unit chief of Al-Hokir Company, which has huge interests in entertainment and shopping, is of the view that the early closure would negatively affect both the shopping and entertainment sectors.
"We are still thinking how we can treat this problem," he told Saudi Gazette. "For example we may open our shops earlier than usual."
He said he expects initial losses. "In the primary stage our company will be affected around 50 to 70 percent, but the customers will soon get used to this new rule."
Economic analysts contacted by Saudi Gazette supported the change.
"Now that Saudi Arabia is a WTO member it is required to follow its system, like all other countries," said Essam Khaleefah, a senior economic consultant in government.
Dr. Hamad Battal another economic analyst, pointed out that "Traders are not going to lose because they will save on electricity and overtime payment for their workers."
Dr. Ali Al-Tawati, a market analyst thought that traders might lose out initially "but later on people will go along with the new system like all countries."
But I think tourist cities such as Jeddah and Dammam should also be exceptions like Makkah and Madina.." said Al-Tawati,
"It's the right decision because all countries close shop at 9 or 10 P.M.," Battal added. "Besides, it's good for the social life also."
On that point some people contacted in Riyadh and Jeddah disagreed.
"Riyadh's lights will go off at 10 P.M. if this resolution is passed," said Nora Ghanim, a Saudi history teacher, "People will be more affected during the weekends, holidays and especially in Ramadan."
It's not all about shopping, many Saudi women told Saudi Gazette. "It's more about socializing and going out, where else can we go to chill?" said Kaoud.
Abdullateef, a retailer in Riyadh, said, "This is serious. Some people's social life starts at 9 P.M. and many of us enjoy going out, spending time in the malls. Many people live their lives at night. I don't think it is suitable for Saudi society."
Hind Al-Arifi, a Saudi housewife in Jeddah, said she usually spends more than five hours at a stretch in the malls.
"I take care of seven children, so naturally I need time to meet their requirements." Hind, housewife said.
Yet there were others who wholeheartedly backed the Shoura Council.
"I agree 100 percent," said Mashael Al-Hamdan, a Saudi housewife in Riyadh. "I don't like shopping late at night anyways, but if they close at 10 P.M. shops have to compensate by opening at 7 A.M. and not at 10 A.M. like what they do these days."
Abdullah Al-Ghaedi, a primary schoolteacher in Jeddah, said the change would allow students and families to stay at home and sleep early.
"Closing shops early will force children and families to return home where there is no chance of wasting time."
Amal Saeed, a Saudi nurse in Riyadh, agreed.
"Finally, someone is talking sense," she said. "We are the only country in the world that has shops open till midnight and, in Ramadan, till 2 or 3 A.M.. It's insane!"
By Diana Al-Jassem and
Amal Al-Zahrani in Jeddah and
Susan Zawawi in Riyadh
JEDDAH - Public opinion is divided on the Shoura Council's draft regulation to end shopping hours at 10 P.M. - nearly two hours earlier than usual - during winter and fall. While the big malls and shopping centers generally go along with the change, the small stores say they would lose their peak sales period.
The change, however, does not go down well with most people who fill the streets and crowd the malls and entertainment centers of the big cities like Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam late into the night.
"I protest," said 22-year-old Khoulah Al-Kaoud in Riyadh. "Many people can't shop during the day because they finish work at 6 P.M. or the driver is busy all day with school and house errands."
The draft regulation passed by the Shoura Council on Monday says that fall-winter working hours will be 6 A.M. to 10 P.M and spring-summer timings will be 6 A.M. to 11. P.M.
At present, many stores remain open until nearly midnight since most people set out for their evening outing after the Isha prayer (around 8. P.M.).
The Shoura's proposal will have to be passed by the Council of Ministers for the new timings to take effect. The change is expected within 120 days from Monday, Jan. 7.
For Monirah Abdullateef, who owns a retail shop in Riyadh, the very thought of early closure was dreadful.
"I don't think the shops would even agree since peak sales time is usually after Isha prayer," she said. "Many shops will lose vital customers. I'm certain I will."
But Khaled Al-Mansouri from Sales in Jeddah's New Time Company thought otherwise.
"Closing early can not affect our sales since customers numbers peak between 8 and 9 P.M. Customers have to follow the rules and obey it since the Shoura decision "is looking for a better life for Saudis," Al-Mansouri said.
Big shopping centers, like the popular Hera'a Mall in Jeddah, also have no fears about losing business.
Badr Al-Din Jalal, Hera'a PR manager said: "The new decision will not affect us negatively. Our customers will come to us when we are ready to receive them."
Jalal also thinks that the stores in Hera'a will have no objection. He said, "The shopkeepers are beneficiaries of this decision since they can close early and return to their families."
Exempted from the early closure are 24-hour operations like pharmacies and gas stations. Also, the Shoura draft does not include the holy cities of Makkah and Madina because of the 24-hour stream of pilgrims and visitors to the holy mosques.
It's not only the malls and shops that are affected by the Shoura move. The draft regulation proposes to shut restaurants, coffee shops and fun fairs at 11 P.M. in winter and 12 midnight in summer.
Salah Al-Shehab, Western Province working unit chief of Al-Hokir Company, which has huge interests in entertainment and shopping, is of the view that the early closure would negatively affect both the shopping and entertainment sectors.
"We are still thinking how we can treat this problem," he told Saudi Gazette. "For example we may open our shops earlier than usual."
He said he expects initial losses. "In the primary stage our company will be affected around 50 to 70 percent, but the customers will soon get used to this new rule."
Economic analysts contacted by Saudi Gazette supported the change.
"Now that Saudi Arabia is a WTO member it is required to follow its system, like all other countries," said Essam Khaleefah, a senior economic consultant in government.
Dr. Hamad Battal another economic analyst, pointed out that "Traders are not going to lose because they will save on electricity and overtime payment for their workers."
Dr. Ali Al-Tawati, a market analyst thought that traders might lose out initially "but later on people will go along with the new system like all countries."
But I think tourist cities such as Jeddah and Dammam should also be exceptions like Makkah and Madina.." said Al-Tawati,
"It's the right decision because all countries close shop at 9 or 10 P.M.," Battal added. "Besides, it's good for the social life also."
On that point some people contacted in Riyadh and Jeddah disagreed.
"Riyadh's lights will go off at 10 P.M. if this resolution is passed," said Nora Ghanim, a Saudi history teacher, "People will be more affected during the weekends, holidays and especially in Ramadan."
It's not all about shopping, many Saudi women told Saudi Gazette. "It's more about socializing and going out, where else can we go to chill?" said Kaoud.
Abdullateef, a retailer in Riyadh, said, "This is serious. Some people's social life starts at 9 P.M. and many of us enjoy going out, spending time in the malls. Many people live their lives at night. I don't think it is suitable for Saudi society."
Hind Al-Arifi, a Saudi housewife in Jeddah, said she usually spends more than five hours at a stretch in the malls.
"I take care of seven children, so naturally I need time to meet their requirements." Hind, housewife said.
Yet there were others who wholeheartedly backed the Shoura Council.
"I agree 100 percent," said Mashael Al-Hamdan, a Saudi housewife in Riyadh. "I don't like shopping late at night anyways, but if they close at 10 P.M. shops have to compensate by opening at 7 A.M. and not at 10 A.M. like what they do these days."
Abdullah Al-Ghaedi, a primary schoolteacher in Jeddah, said the change would allow students and families to stay at home and sleep early.
"Closing shops early will force children and families to return home where there is no chance of wasting time."
Amal Saeed, a Saudi nurse in Riyadh, agreed.
"Finally, someone is talking sense," she said. "We are the only country in the world that has shops open till midnight and, in Ramadan, till 2 or 3 A.M.. It's insane!"
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Cold wave hits KSA
RIYADH - Winter has arrived in Saudi Arabia and temperature in the capital city of Riyadh was expected to plunge to zero degrees centigrade early in the morning on Sunday and the week ahead.
The winter chill will be severe in the Central Province where it will be coldest Monday to Wednesday, said Hussain Al-Kahtani, spokesman of the Meteorology and Environmental Protection Auhtority (MEPA). Earlier Met reports said frost was expected in north-central Hail late Saturday and light showers in Riyadh overnight Sunday.
Temperature in areas outside Riyadh city will decrease to zero, but it will be slightly higher in the city center - three to four degrees centigrade because of its dense population," said Al-Kahtani.
He said the forecast is hailstones at -2C in the Northern Province in the week ahead.
Qasim, Hail, Hafr Al-Batin and Qaysooma and parts of the Central Province experienced rain and thunder on Thursday. Hailstones fell on Hail and Qassim on Friday.
Al-Kahtani said the zero-degree temperature in the Riyadh area will last only a few hours, from around 4 A.M. until 6 A.M. The temperature will increase with sunrise, rising up to 17°C.
In the Eastern Province, it will be coldest Al-Kaisoum and Hafr Al-Batin, Most of the rest of the Kingdom will witness temperatures ranging from 1°C and 27°C
In Qassim, the range is between zero and 16°C, in Hail it will be -4°C and 14°C, and the rest of the Kingdom between 1°C and 27°C.
Northwesterly winds Friday brought welcome fresh air to Jeddah, which was under a toxic smoke cloud caused by a huge blaze at the city's main garbage yard, allegedly sparked by scavengers.
The cold wave is expected to last a week.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Aramco’s Gifts to Orphans
JEDDAH - For the second year in a row, Aramco distributed Eid gifts to orphans and handicapped children between the ages of 6-18.
"We want to strengthen our relationship with these kids," said Adel Al-Maghrabi, Aramco affairs manager in the Western Region. The event held Monday at a restaurant in front of Jeddah beach had drawing and painting activities for the children. Famed band Spacetoon provided entertainment. Ahmad Marei, member of Jeddah training management, made a presentation on first aid for handicapped children. Brochures on fire safety procedures were distributed by charity associations.
Disturbing Trend
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JEDDAH - When teenage boys and young men first started wearing necklaces, bracelets and earrings in the West about half a century ago, it was not without outrage over where fashion was heading.
Today, Saudi Arabia is at that stage and there's general disapproval of what is seen as an unbecoming choice in trying to ape the West.
"I am not against trying things out, but men wearing girls' accessories is not acceptable in our society," Waleed Al-Qurashi, an English teacher at an intermediate school here, told Saudi Gazette.
This being the popular view, it was no surprise then that the Makkah Governorate last October banned Saudi males from taking to what most Saudi men agree is a very girlie look.
But young boys like Abdullah Al-Obaid, 18, a nursing student in Jeddah, and his friend Abdullah Al-Jassem, 19, who is studying engineering online, say they are only "experimenting with strange looks."
They say this has come about from their interaction with youth of other nationalities here who often do wear necklaces, bracelets and earrings in public.
"Big cities like Jeddah are exposed to many nationalities and different societies," said Obaid, "and we learn from them some habits that are not acceptable in our society."
Al-Jassem said wearing such accessories should be considered a "personal choice."
But in a society where men have had a uniform dress code for centuries, it is hard to imagine that "personal choice" will ever win popular support any time soon.
Not all girls, however, are against the disturbing trend and see it as a kind of modernization, "a strong signal about a boy's fashionable look."
Said Rawan Shaher, 17, a Jordanian girl in intermediate school here: "I think it is very natural and interesting to be elegant by using accessories that suit a guy's masculinity."
Social scientist Noha Hariri said the trend is just a youthful expression of freedom. So, "The first step is to let the boy select his way of thinking, his style as well as his desires.
"By the time he experiments with everything he would arrive at a clear decision about his look."
What is important, she said, "is how they can benefit from the experience and achieve the style suitable for them."
But Sheikh Abdulwahab Al-Trairi of Al-Khirat Mosque in Al-Safa district here thinks otherwise.
"Muslims have their own attire that differ from those of other religions," the Sheikh told Saudi Gazette. "So they have their own accessories that are in keeping with the values of Saudi and Muslim society."
Dr. Mohammed Al-Hamed who heads the Department of Psychology at Bakhsh Hospital here blames it on the media.
"Many things have changed in our society during the last 10 years - way of thinking, culture and politics - all because of the indirect invasion of Western culture through the media," he said.
The doctor sees the need to "correct" and "guide" teenagers.
"I am directing my words to all psychological and social experts, to focus on this important phenomenon," he said.
Today, Saudi Arabia is at that stage and there's general disapproval of what is seen as an unbecoming choice in trying to ape the West.
"I am not against trying things out, but men wearing girls' accessories is not acceptable in our society," Waleed Al-Qurashi, an English teacher at an intermediate school here, told Saudi Gazette.
This being the popular view, it was no surprise then that the Makkah Governorate last October banned Saudi males from taking to what most Saudi men agree is a very girlie look.
But young boys like Abdullah Al-Obaid, 18, a nursing student in Jeddah, and his friend Abdullah Al-Jassem, 19, who is studying engineering online, say they are only "experimenting with strange looks."
They say this has come about from their interaction with youth of other nationalities here who often do wear necklaces, bracelets and earrings in public.
"Big cities like Jeddah are exposed to many nationalities and different societies," said Obaid, "and we learn from them some habits that are not acceptable in our society."
Al-Jassem said wearing such accessories should be considered a "personal choice."
But in a society where men have had a uniform dress code for centuries, it is hard to imagine that "personal choice" will ever win popular support any time soon.
Not all girls, however, are against the disturbing trend and see it as a kind of modernization, "a strong signal about a boy's fashionable look."
Said Rawan Shaher, 17, a Jordanian girl in intermediate school here: "I think it is very natural and interesting to be elegant by using accessories that suit a guy's masculinity."
Social scientist Noha Hariri said the trend is just a youthful expression of freedom. So, "The first step is to let the boy select his way of thinking, his style as well as his desires.
"By the time he experiments with everything he would arrive at a clear decision about his look."
What is important, she said, "is how they can benefit from the experience and achieve the style suitable for them."
But Sheikh Abdulwahab Al-Trairi of Al-Khirat Mosque in Al-Safa district here thinks otherwise.
"Muslims have their own attire that differ from those of other religions," the Sheikh told Saudi Gazette. "So they have their own accessories that are in keeping with the values of Saudi and Muslim society."
Dr. Mohammed Al-Hamed who heads the Department of Psychology at Bakhsh Hospital here blames it on the media.
"Many things have changed in our society during the last 10 years - way of thinking, culture and politics - all because of the indirect invasion of Western culture through the media," he said.
The doctor sees the need to "correct" and "guide" teenagers.
"I am directing my words to all psychological and social experts, to focus on this important phenomenon," he said.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Saudi Post outs National Dialogue Stamp
JEDDAH - Saudi Post issued Monday a new stamp that depicts the Saudi National Dialogue. Abdullah Al-Wehimer, manager of the stamps department, said the stamps will remind people of environment that is conducive to dialogue among cultures and various sectors of society the way the Saudi National Dialogue does.
Just like its subject matter, the new stamps promote public interest and national unity based on the Islamic faith, he said. He hopes for the stamps to encourage as many people as possible both here and outside the Kingdom to take part in the dialogue so as to strengthen the role of civil society in ensuring justice and freedom of expression within the framework of Shariah.
The stamps are sold in all post offices in the Kingdom for SR2 each.
Decomposed body found in vehicle
Tusesday 1 ,January2008
By Diana Al Jassem
Jeddah-A decompose body found in rural area near Al -Jamoum region las Saturday,said Abdulmohsen Al Miman , the spokesman of Makkah police.
The unknown decomposed body was found in a stolen pick up vehicle who was owned by a Saudi in Riyadh.
“A stolen mobile that belongs to a sweeper has been found also near of the skeleton,” Said Abdulmohsen Al Miman the spokesman of Makkah police.
According to Al Miman this car was stolen since May 2007 where they populated a statement in Al Sail police center immediately after the incident toke place.
"Makkah police called for the car owner to investigate more about the stealing,” Said Al Miman
Makkah police is suspecting that the Skeleton belongs to the person who stole the car.
The car owner gave the person who stole the car a ride from Al Riyadh to Makkah and then the split from each other in Al Jamoum said Al Miman.
The skeleton has been transferred to King Faisal hospital in order to make the medical tests.
“The investigation is still going to know the skeleton’s identity." added Al Miman.
By Diana Al Jassem
Jeddah-A decompose body found in rural area near Al -Jamoum region las Saturday,said Abdulmohsen Al Miman , the spokesman of Makkah police.
The unknown decomposed body was found in a stolen pick up vehicle who was owned by a Saudi in Riyadh.
“A stolen mobile that belongs to a sweeper has been found also near of the skeleton,” Said Abdulmohsen Al Miman the spokesman of Makkah police.
According to Al Miman this car was stolen since May 2007 where they populated a statement in Al Sail police center immediately after the incident toke place.
"Makkah police called for the car owner to investigate more about the stealing,” Said Al Miman
Makkah police is suspecting that the Skeleton belongs to the person who stole the car.
The car owner gave the person who stole the car a ride from Al Riyadh to Makkah and then the split from each other in Al Jamoum said Al Miman.
The skeleton has been transferred to King Faisal hospital in order to make the medical tests.
“The investigation is still going to know the skeleton’s identity." added Al Miman.
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