Jihad, Fundamentalist Islam, and the West

Dear Blue Abaya readers, the following is a guest post written by Alex Bint Eisa. I recommend her article especially for the non-Muslim readers to learn a thing or two about Jihad that you might not have known before.
If you think you've got what it takes to write for Blue Abaya, your writing is factual, beneficial to the readers and as a bonus spiced with a dash of humor, feel free to contact me and send your article through for evaluation. The article MUST be related to Saudi Arabia, and/or Islam, ME, or fall within the interests of Blue Abaya. Contact me at blueabaya at gmail.com.

"Jihad, Fundamentalist Islam, and the West"

Much in the same way that radicals have hijacked the public persona of Islam throughout the West, Western media has failed to maintain objectivity in its portrayal of Islam. The interpretation of the term 'Jihad' in contemporary Islam is one of the most common misconceptions, as well as points of debate, inside and outside the Arab world.

The different types of Jihad, its interpretations and the role it plays in the contemporary understanding of Islam are subjects of constant debate in the post- 9/11 globalized world. Even more so after the fundamentalist Islamic groups skyrocketed to international stardom. Jihad is the daily struggle to do what is halal and to avoid what is haraam. The Jihads in Afghanistan, Palestine, Iraq, Chechnya, and Kashmir have provided a vivid and uniting consciousness for Muslims around the world.

When translated literally from Arabic, Jihad means effort or struggle.

What exactly Muslims are struggling against, however, depends on the type of Jihad one is referring to.  There are technically four types Jihad: of the heart, the tongue, the hand, and the sword.

Jihad is often more simply categorized as either greater or lesser, although there is some debate as to whether or not war/armed battle constitutes the lesser Jihad according to the Prophet’s teachings.

Greater Jihad, Jihad of the heart, is the daily struggle against ones evil desires, which the devil uses in order to tempt man.  Jihad of the tongue is the struggle to proselytize the word of God (Allah) to those who do not know it and bring to them knowledge of the one true faith, Islam.  Directly related to Jihad of the heart is that of the hand, or the compulsion to fulfill ones duties within society and especially to ones family. Lastly, Jihad of the sword, lesser Jihad, involves the defense of a Muslim’s faith and person if being attacked.

The term “holy war” when referring to Jihad of the sword dates back to the days of Saladin and the liberation of the Holy Land from the infidels.  It is important to keep the holy wars within their 11th to 13th century context.

When Catholic Pope Urban II called for Christians to aid in defending the Byzantine Empire from the Turkish invasion, Europe was engulfed by a series of endless territorial battles. The Pope saw the Crusades as an opportunity to unite Christians against a common enemy as well as satisfy the seemingly endless European lust for battle. After the arrival of the French and Italian Crusaders to Constantinople, they pledged to restore territories to the Byzantine Empire that had been seized by the Turks, which would eventually lead to the first siege of Jerusalem. As was the practice of the times, the Christian Crusaders pillaged the town, murdering its Jewish and Muslim civilian inhabitants, destroying their places of worship and eventually, the city itself.

The reinterpretations of Islam by ideological leaders like Hassan Al-Banna, founder of the Muslim Brotherhood in early 20th century Egypt, Mawlana Mawdudi created the foundation upon which modern Islamic fundamentalists have based their interpretations of Islam and therefore the familiar clamoring for Jihad.

The resurgence of powerful Islamic ideological and political societies, the eventual demise of Western Colonialism in the region along with the independence of countries like Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, and Pakistan has opened up the debate over the implementation of Shariah law. Newly liberated colonies with Muslim-majority populations adopted constitutions that were similar to those of their ex-colonizers. The failure to implement Shariah law in newly established majority-Muslim countries helped drive a new wave of Islamic fundamentalism, which had been brewing under the West’s radar until the Iranian Revolution in the 1970s.

Suddenly the West became very aware of a seemingly backwards revolution where the people of a country chose to fight against modernization instead of for it. Within the next decade, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the American support of any and all opposing forces created a figurative perfect storm.  The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan gave the fundamentalists a very real Jihad to fight, the first of such in centuries.

In the latter half of the twentieth century, Jihad became the struggle to defend Islam and the umma, or community of Islamic faithful, against the West’s perceived cultural imperialism. With the perceived corruption of Islamic societies throughout the Arabic world and beyond, fundamentalist leaders are calling for a return to a purer and more authentic Islam, similar to that of the Prophet Mohammed.

The ability to apply itself within evolving social contexts is what allows Islam to remain relevant in modern times. The struggle against those of our internal longings that are haraam is the greatest of Jihads. However the vast majority of people in the West have no idea that Jihad constitutes anything beyond a war against the freedoms of secular societies. Today Muslims living in the West face many of the same challenges that other minority groups, long since assimilated into mainstream society, once faced in the past."

Alex Bint Eisa is a freelance writer currently based in Doha, Qatar. She is the first Cuban-American student at the University of Qatar's Gulf Studies Program.

You can contact her at alexbinteisa@gmail.com

Works Cited:
Amir, Ali. "Jihad Explained." The Deen Show ~ It's a Way of Life. Web. 04 Dec. 2010. <http://thedeenshow.com/nonmuslims.php?id=166>.
Esposito, John L. . Unholy War: Terror in the Name of Islam. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2002. Print.
Gould, Mark. "Understanding Jihad." Hoover Institution. 1 Feb. 2005. Web. 03 Dec. 2010. <http://www.hoover.org/publications/policy-review/article/6964>.
Halsall, Paul. "Medieval Sourcebook: Urban II: Speech at Council of Clermont, 1095, According to Fulcherof Chartres." FORDHAM.EDU. Fordham University, Dec. 1997. Web. 05 Dec. 2010. <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/urban2-5vers.html#Fulcher>.
Ibrahim, I. A. A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam. New Delhi: Goodword, 1997. Print.
Lapidus, Ira M. A History of Islamic Societies. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2008. Print.
Price, Nelson L. "Jihad: What Is It?" Welcome. Web. 04 Dec. 2010. <http://www.nelsonprice.com/index.php/?p=48>.
Yusufali, Abdullah, and A. A. Razwy. The Qurʼan: Translation. Elmhurst, NY: Tahrike Tarsile Qurʼan, 2000. Print.

Hijab And Youth: A Modern Look At Modest Dress In Saudi Arabia

I have the pleasure to share with Blue Abaya readers another article from "Anonymous Saudi Man". It's always interesting to read his view points as we hardly ever hear the Saudi men's side to common issues in the Kingdom. This time he is discussing the hijab and what he feels has been lost from its original meaning. Read also these posts from him: Saudi Punks and Thoughts on Tribalism Love and Marriage

HIJAB AND YOUTH: A MODERN LOOK AT MODEST DRESS IN SAUDI ARABIA

Islam requires its faithful to dress modestly and I know many Muslims who apply this tradition to their daily lives. I believe there are several important and positive reasons for modest dress. One reason is modesty stops the poor from feeling any shame for their lack of wealth, and it reminds the wealthy that their money is to be spent wisely and shared with those less fortunate. Another reason is modest dress helps build a friendly, comfortable society. Modest dress also invites creativity, and encourages people - both men and women - to express their individuality in artful and beautiful styles. Modest dress does not mean boring clothing!

For years Saudi women have been wearing the Hijab, Saudi men limit wearing gold and other forms of jewelry or adornment for religious reasons without really understanding the wisdom and implications of their actions.

I believe the spirit and interpretation of the Hijab is currently lost among modern Saudi youth. Perhaps they’ve been following religious leaders blindly without digging deeper into the legislations. Maybe they are simply confused, as I would assume everyone who studies religion in Saudi is. This might sound like a “Soufi” approach to the Hijab. However, I am not associated with any Soufi groups.

Modest Dress in Other World Cultures

Many world cultures have religions that strive to dress modestly. Some notable examples include the Amish Christian sect in the United States, other world-wide Christian sects (including the Roman Catholics), the Jewish settlers in Israel, secular and religious Shinto or Buddhists in Japan, and Muslims from both the Sunna and Shiaa sects in Saudi Arabia and Iran. I also see modest clothing popping up in non-religious societies like in China. I have also witnessed a revival of modesty among feminists in Western societies. It seems to me that the original meaning of modest dress in the Islamic religious tradition is much better understood in other parts of the world that by Muslims themselves.

Taking Back Modesty - Women

Modesty is also important for men. I find that people are easily impressed of other men in the workplace by the cars they drive or by the suits or accessories they wear. That is why I personally wear modest plaid shirts and a pair of simple jeans and sneakers at meetings or other work-related events. When more formal attire is required, I select a simple thobe with simple plain colored pair of sneakers. This doesn’t mean I do not wear clothing that is more fashionable, personalized, or artsy; I do wear what pleases me, just as I prescribed for women. However, I stay away from any excessive display of wealth through clothing.

Plain, simple, and equal clothing allows people to receive credit and respect for something they worked for rather than something they are given at birth. I believe this is so much more satisfying and healthy for a person's ego and tends to help level the playing field among all people in this life.

Modesty in the Saudi Youth

As I stated earlier, it seems the original meaning of modest dress has turned into a modern phobic reaction against sex. I see the original reason for the Hijab has changed into clothing that people preach about, something that protects women from sexual threats. The Hijab is now designed to cover a young woman's “check lists” of body parts that could arouse men's sexuality. This makes the Hijab seem more like a punishment to young Saudi women and a reaction to men's inability to control their sexuality.

What’s interesting is how there’s no mention in the Saudi justification of wearing hijab on how it’s supposed to limit the vanity of a woman and help keep excessive display of wealth under control. I feel the current interpretation of the Hijab has left out limiting the exposure of brand-name handbags, expensive shoes, or expensive jewelry. Those items are flaunted everywhere. The spirit of the Hijab I believe is now ignored through these displays of excess wealth. I also see this with young Saudi men. The Saudi men drive expensive German cars, wear expensive vanity accessories, brand-name watches, carry the latest cell phones, wear fashionable sunglasses, expensive jeans, designer thobes and gold threaded Bishts (Meshlah or Robes) although Muslim men are forbidden to wear gold. Sadly, I see many religious people tempted by this showing off, and some do indulge themselves in displays of wealth. They justify their actions through religious texts and opinions.

Art and Beauty Does Not Mean Expensive

Beauty does not need to be expensive. This is something that I try to live by. I don’t have to buy expensive accessories and brand names to look fashionable and artistic. In reality, most art and beautiful accessories are very personal and are not sold in stores, nor do they need to be made out of expensive materials. One might debate that expensive name brands and purchased “kitsch” actually diminishes the beauty and artistic value of an accessory or piece of clothing. Bring back modest dress in your life, and stop the excessive display of wealth. Men, you can still look elegant, smell nice, and look professional in inexpensive and modest clothing. Women, if you elect to wear the Hijab, do it for the right reasons. Spread the positive energy of modest dress through art and creativity.

-Anonymous Saudi Man

What do you think? Do you agree with his observations?

Blog Hate Mail: The Hall Of Shame

Every once in a full moon I get hate mail or just hateful comments on the blog. I guess it's normal. Haters gonna hate.

Naturally there will be people who will disagree on what I write or how I view things. But some of those are just negative envious haters that thrive on trashing others. Putting others down makes them feel better about themselves. Negative people also cannot stand positive people. I bet I get on their nerves! Others are just ignorant and rude by nature and nothing can be done to change that.

Predominantly these comments have come from Saudis, some women who pretended to be my friends from the hospital I worked in, and unfortunately Muslim women suffering from the Holier than thou- personality disorder.

Usually I just delete these comments or don't bother to respond because if a person has made up their mind then there's nothing much I can do or even care to do. I see it as a waste of time to get into an argument with these type of people. Everything I would say to such a close-minded person would just backfire. So I usually just leave them to their sorry existence.

I have however saved the "best" comments in my comments box. These actually had me cracking up because of their absurdity, incomprehensibility or just plain humor factor. It is time to open the can of worms! I will expose these comments now and let you laugh at them too because honestly, that's the only thing these people deserve. Here is the Blue Abaya Hall of Shame!

One of the first comments I saved was this one:
"You're offensive to all women because you are so ignorant. Your giving finnish people, blonde women, and all expat nurses a bad name. Clearly you lost your grip on reality a long time ago. Go work somewhere else so you won't take **** down with you. Signed, Normal and Sane Expat Nurses."

So this is what "normal, sane" nurses think? Wow. Kinda scary actually. My mother is a psychiatrist and she tells me how shocking it is that the largest group of psychiatric patients that come for treatment are actually nurses. The above comment is a prime example of people in dire need of help!

The saddest thing about this comment is that it's obviously coming from a person/persons (or maybe person with multiple personalities??) who knows me. Perhaps even a so called friend also known as a back stabber. I knew many friends women that all turned their backs on me after I converted and met my husband. And when my back was turned the knives were thrown! Some even continue their hatred to this day.

This is a prime example of jealousy among women, the ignorance and prejudice some expats have of their host country, and the hatred toward Saudis and Islam some feel.The mention of "loosing grip on reality" is direct referral to my conversion. When a western woman converts to Islam most other westerners here will start calling them crazy or delusional.

Oh and I had to censor the name of the hospital to prevent people from thinking it's a looney bin because of this comment!

Btw I wonder how exactly I am tarnishing the name of blonde women in particular since I thought blondes are considered dumb, slow and "easy"? So what's there to tarnish LOL

Ok. So how about this classic:
"Laylah: if you don't like Saudi Arabia, just leave the country ; Or you trying to prove that you are real hypocrite ? Why you live if you don't agree with the 1) Laws of the country 2) Regulations of the country 3) Legislations of the country You say you are finnish, and we know how clean the finnish people are ?! I am sure the mutawwas didn't teach you or your husband that in Saudi Arabia after relieving one has to use water or you go to Jail for being dirty, filthy or unhygienic ( b*** crust people )"


What can I even begin to say to this anal person? Hey news flash I do like the country (unlike many expats here!) but there just isn't a country in the world that doesn't have its problems. Saudi has many issues and I write about them honestly and to the point. Sorry if you can't handle the criticism of your perfect country Mr. Clean Butt. Btw laws, regulations and rules are actually the same thing.


Oh, and no thank you to the muttawa coming to teach me how to wipe my a*****e. I'm sure you enjoyed it very much though. I did not know this was included in their services so thanks for the info anyways.


The next hate comment I saved was posted as a reply to a comment "Saudi Princess" left on the article "Tourism in Saudi-Arabia Faces Many Obstacles". The Princess wrote how she thought allowing tourists into Saudi would contaminate her country, how brothels would start popping up and alcohol would be served everywhere(as if the Saudis are not already doing a pretty good job on all of those). Check the full post and comments here: http://blueabaya.blogspot.com/2011/09/tourism-in-saudi-arabia-faces-many.html

This is the reply of Hijabi:
"With all respect, but I agree with Saudi Princess. I dont know whether you are a convert to Islam or not, but to me you just cause a lot of fitna with this blog. Alot of negativity and anger towards the saudi way of life on this blog. So sad.. Also...your liberal, progressive Islam bothers me. Because there is no liberal Islam.. Your post about polygamy really shocked me! you speak with so much arrogance about how polygamy is not necessary and how it should disappear beceause your nafs is not able to handle some parts within Islam.. Always keep in mind that all these words that u write will be held against you on the Day of Judgement. Your blog and your view on certain parts of Islam is exactly the reason why western people shouldnt come to saudi! They try to change Saudi into something more western! As read on your blog, western people and even some locals dont appreciate al mutawa but to be honest, they cant appreciate it because they want to be free, and go agains the rules and dresscodes within Islam. So happy the borders are so strict and I hope they make them even more stricter!"

Oh goodness. Can someone please pass the screwdriver?

I'm pretty fed up of hearing this type of BS coming from muslim women. Did she even read the article? How can someone think the article is negative in any way? Only a person wallowing in negativity would.

My liberal, progressive Islam that bothers her. You know what? God gave me a brain so I could think for myself. That's actually how I found Islam, by questioning, reasoning, reading and realizing. It's not my problem if you can't handle the FACT that Muslims will always have different opinions on things. Not all muslims are brainwashed into thinking and following blindly.

Not everyone is going to agree with you Ms."I write a make-up and false eyelashes blog but I like to judge other muslim women for having liberal views"-Hijabi. I don't really care what your views are either way it's what conclusions you came to and it's fine by me . But don't come here to judge me and feel sorry for me and then in the next sentence say I am arrogant. Look whose talking.

Don't even get me started on muttawa and freedom. Those two words do not even belong in the same sentence! Most Saudis will agree.

Then check out what the Holiest of All wrote:
 You are extremely rude...and arrogant..you should read what you wrote. Extremely condescending. I don't know who you think you are..oh yes...a white "princess" married to a rich Saudi..so what...get a grip..you seem to have the typical snotty manners of a European...even when they convert they lack manners...subhanallah...go pray 2 rakaahs asking for forgiveness for being so ignorant, horrid and absolutely snotty. If you are so busy and get a gazillion comments then hey...don't blog..not that you have anything interesting to read..I just wanted to know where I could purchase this abaya and you didn't even have that information....whatever...inshallah I hope you learn proper muslim manners...but it seems you've learned SAUDI manners...I pray Allah gives you hidaya and you should go read the Hadith Qudsi...Arrogance belongs to Allah not women such as yourself..."


Manners, manners, manners..Sigh. This was the reply I decided not to post because of its personal offense that goes against comments policy (read our conversation and the post here http://blueabaya.blogspot.com/2010/05/blue-harbour-exhibition-in-riyadh.html and you be the judge if what she said is true or was I in fact trying to answer her weird question ) Here it is now in all it's hate and glory. 
What a brilliant example she gives of "proper muslim manners" huh? 

Some recommended reading.


I'm going to skip all the miserable nonsense in the beginning and just comment on the "gazillion comments -don't blog"-equation. I find this conclusion very interesting. So a blogger that has lots of comments should stop blogging? Struggling to find time to reply means I shouldn't even bother writing my uninteresting posts? Hmm...


Arrogance belongs to Allah?? Where did that come from!
I wonder what she has against Europeans? Actually, I really don't care. 

And then finally this comment which just made my day:
"Laylah, I think one of these days you'll get reported to saudi authorities and your HATE BLOG will be shut down. I think you are crossing the RED line here. I have been through your HATE BLOG and its FULL of HATRED against saudi people, saudi culture and traditions. If you don't like it here, LEAVE! My comment is not about 'staring' but rather your HATE BLOG in general."


Ladies and gentleman I think we have a winner here! Mrs. HATE posted this comment on the "Letter to Saudi Women Please Leave My Husband Alone"-post. Like I mentioned in the beginning of that post (which can be read here http://blueabaya.blogspot.com/2010/09/plea-to-saudi-women-please-leave-my.html) it was highly unlikely the letter would ever reach any of these women in question. 

It took over a year but finally BINGO! Even though she tries to convince us she is not commenting on the staring aka bad manners, but reading between the lines here and just the "subtle" tone of her comment..I think this post hit a sore spot. Ouch!

FYI I'm not going to leave Saudi. I like it here and have a good life. My husband is one of those one in a million men out there (which I doubt you wouldn't know of), I have a beautiful happy daughter, wonderful friends, we travel a lot around this amazing country and we just moved to a dream apartment in DQ..So sorry to disappoint you dear.

If anyone is ever going to report this blog it would be such a person as you and you most likely already did it because..

Phew. I feel like I have taken out the garbage now! What a stinky pile of crap there was lying around in the comments box.

Thank God I get so much more grateful and positive feedback from all over the world which keeps me going. I will leave you with an email comment I recently received from a new fan of Blue Abaya:

"Really an interesting initiative to discuss Saudi culture and its implications in a respectful manner as done by you. I appreciate your use of proper language in discussing issues in which you tend to differ with the local people.

If only, every culture around the world had a Laylah."

Have a nice day everyone!

Why Do Saudis Spit On People?

Believe it or not this is an actual question I get asked every once in a while.

Expat nurses often ask me about some strange habits Saudis have and odd stuff they saw patients doing. I guess being married to a Saudi gives me more insight into some things but don't get me wrong, I'm no Saudipedia. But I like to correct some common misconceptions whenever I can.

Often some of the questions I get asked are related to Islam. For example why do Saudi men constantly fiddle with the prayer beads, why do Saudi men chew on sticks or why do Saudi women splash water all over the bathroom floors? Others are more cultural such as why do some female patients keep their whole head covered with a cloth while the doc examines her "down under"? Why do Saudis throw all the trash on the hospital floors or why do Saudis cluck their tongues all the time?

I don't have an answer to everything, although sometimes I wish I understood.

Back to the question about the spitting on people. First of all I like to point out that although it does look and sound like the person is in fact spitting on the patient, he is by no means *spitting*. What is happening is actually praying. The person is reciting Quran and kind of "blowing" the words onto the patient. If anyone knows how to explain this better, feel free to leave a comment.

Muslims believe that reading the Quran on the sick person has healing abilities and this is why nurses will often witness this behavior with patients. I've known many nurses that have been disgusted by the practice because they honestly don't have a clue of why someone would spit on their sick relatives.

Well thankfully some of the confused nurses want to find out what is actually going on while others just like to remain ignorant and poke fun at the Saudis saying, they like to spit on people! I have to admit I've witnessed some pretty "enthusiastic" styles myself and saliva has certainly been seen flying around, especially with Bedouin patients. But this practice is only a sincere attempt to cure the patients :)

For more weird habits of Bedouin patients check this post: http://blueabaya.blogspot.com/2010/06/bedouins-as-patients.html
Read about Saudi women who never remove their veils here: http://blueabaya.blogspot.com/2011/06/eternal-veil.html

Blogger Qusay sent me this clip it shows little kids imitating the reading and blowing, very cute thanks!

Recycling The Saudi Values

Recycling, preserving the environment, conservation and green thinking are all mostly alien terms in Saudi-Arabia.


Wasting, exploiting the environment, littering and materialism are the way of life in the Kingdom.


"The GCC has the world's highest levels of domestic waste, after the USA, generating more than 22 million tonnes of household waste in 2009. More than half of the waste, 58 per cent was generated in Saudi Arabia. Apart from domestic waste, additional refuse comes from littering parks, gardens and from the waste dumped in the seas and on beaches." http://recycle-saudi.com/home.htm

This is really a huge disgrace for the Kingdom as a Muslim nation. Islam teaches people to preserve nature, not to use anything excessively and to conserve the environment. Humans were entrusted by God with the responsibility of taking care of the earth.

"Now, behold! Your Lord said to the angels: I am placing upon the earth a human successor to steward it" (Al Baqarah 2:30)

“Rampant corruption and disorder have appeared in the land and in the sea because of what people keep doing. He will let them taste some of their doings, so that they might return to the Right Path.”(30:41)

"The Prophet Mohammed told his companion, Saad, that he was using an excessive amount of water to make ablution, (wudu) saying do not waste (water). Saad then asked if there could ever be wastage if water was used for the purpose of wudu. The Prophet's reply was, Yes. Even if you are by a flowing river."


Have Saudis totally forgotten about this responsibility? Are people just ignorant of these teachings? Are Saudis too proud to clean up after themselves or to recycle? What causes this atrocious negligence and irresponsible behavior?

And it's not just the Saudis who pollute this lovely country, but some expats participate in it too. Mostly from the third world countries, these uneducated poor people who have no concept of what it is to recycle or to conserve are often the ones engaging in the littering and remorseless wasting of resources.

There have been numerous grass roots efforts to change public opinion on recycling. Most campaigns are met with resistance and even ridicule. People simply do not take it seriously.


This past week was "Saudi Green Revolution Week" a campaign to promote environmental awareness in the Kingdom launched by Naqa'a Environmental Enterprise http://naqaaenterprise.wordpress.com/
Naqa'a was founded by a group of bold women from Jeddah who stepped forward to introduce revolutionary environmental practices across organizations in the Kingdom. http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=20111011110345

"The Saudi Green Revolution Week is a social initiative by Naqa’a Environmental Enterprise. It is a revolutionary movement of young people united to elevate the public’s awareness about the much neglected issues of the environment in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Green Revolution Week is a campaign of awakenings, new beginnings and hope for a healthier and cleaner Saudi Arabia. The campaign maybe for a week, but the Green Revolution is an ongoing movement towards an eco-friendly society; and ultimately a Greener planet."


Jeddah is one of the most polluted cities in the world. Its beaches and parks are ruined with rotting litter. There are ongoing campaigns and efforts by locals to clean up the beaches and the Corniche, but it looks like a never ending battle against the trash masses. After the clean-up, more trash appears. 

The attitude seems to be "The dude in the yellow overall will pick it up anyway" "I'm not a cleaner or a maid, I don't pick up trash" "Recycling is for freaks and weirdos, not cool people like me" or "I just don't give a damn".

What can be done to change the attitudes and spread awareness in Saudi? How to instill these green values on the youth without them making a mockery of it?


Perhaps one way of waking people up is by making them realize that the plastic bag they have just tossed on the beach/street/park/desert will some day come back to them. What goes around, comes around. The plastic will dissolve and animals will eat it. The chemicals will go up the food chain, until it reaches their mouth..their stomach..their bloodstream..

A list of ten tips on how to live a more environmentally friendly life in Saudi-Arabia:

http://blueabaya.blogspot.com/2012/01/10-ways-to-stop-madness.html 

The different sides to Ramadan in Saudi

Ramadan is here and Muslims all over the world will be fasting this month. Saudi-Arabia turns into a much more accommodating place for fasting people to live during the holy month. There are many exceptions in everyday life that enable easier days of fasting, especially for Saudis.

Other fasting Muslims on the other hand and the millions of non-muslims working in Saudi-Arabia might not live this month as smoothly as the Saudis do. Ramadan in Saudi is certainly a very different experience for a Saudi, a muslim and a non-muslim.

I wrote some previous posts about Ramadan in the Kingdom here and one on hospitals and Ramadan here.

Less work, more spending
There are millions of non-muslims living and working in Saudi-Arabia that are greatly affected by the holy month.
Almost all opening hours of business will change, stores will open only from late afternoon up until 2 am. This of course means heavy traffic in the evenings and not much to do during the day for the people that aren't fasting. Schools start later for Muslims and there are less working hours for Muslim employees. Researches have found that the productivity in Muslim countries decreases almost by 50- 80% during Ramadan but on the other hand markets grow due to increased spending and giving charity.

Who does the work during Ramadan?
At the workplace the non-muslim employees are discriminated against in many ways. Starting with working hours, non-muslims work like in any other month while the Muslims work less total days and have shorter hours.
Muslims might take more breaks during the day, arrive late or leave early. This is not frowned upon as long as they are Saudis. Other nationalities even if fasting, will be expected to abide strictly to the working hours.
In the hospital where I worked only the Saudi employees were allowed to leave the workplace during prayer times. Sometimes an employee might have been absent for an hour during prayertime. Especially the male employees seemed to do this because they would go out to the hospital mosque unlike the female employees who prayed in empty rooms.

The untouchables
All this this might add up to the Saudi employee spending almost half less time at the workplace than the other employees during Ramadan.

Or at least that is how it seems to those left behind at the workplace to do the job while the Saudis are gone.

The non-muslim employees might feel they are forced to do most of the work because the fasting colleagues are resting. The fasting workers are exempt from the physically heaviest chores.
No one dares to complain about a Saudi colleague, they have a sort of untouchable status at the workplace.

Forbidden Eating
Another phenomenon that might make Ramadan a less pleasant experience for those not fasting is the expectation that all non-muslims must eat and drink in secrecy during the daylight hours. At the hospital for example even keeping water bottles visible was viewed as almost criminal activity. I think it's silly that kind of culture exists that everyone else must change their normal daily routines so that the fasting Muslims won't get offended by the sight of food. I have witnessed how this behavior made some people feel humiliated and it doesn't exactly indicate religous tolerance either.

The toughest Ramadan?
What about the housemaids and drivers? Their month must be the toughest of all especially if they happen to be fasting. The maids are of course the ones having to take care and feed the children during the daytime while the fasting mothers are sleeping through the day. In the afternoons the maids are preparing the food for the family and likely guests too. Evenings and nights they cater to and clean up after the iftar parties. Some families even send their maids to their relatives houses for extra work. When do they have the chance to sleep?

The drivers don't have it mush easier. Their working hours become longer and they might be forced to skip their night sleep because of family members needing rides to shopping malls or friends houses in the middle of the night.
Naturally there are also Saudi families like my husbands that give their maids extra money or gifts and more free-time during this month.

In any case Ramadan is an exceptional month and an ordeal for everyone living in the Kingdom. For some it may be like a nightmare while to others an enjoyable nightly party.

Reverend Jones-the Christian terrorist and the media

Religious extremists and intolerance are not just limited to the Middle East. Christian fundamentalism can be equally as hateful and destructive. Look at Pastor Terry Jones. What was his agenda really? To actually burn the Qurans or perhaps just to get some money and fame? I'm 100% sure it was the latter. I didn't want to write about this earlier with all the hype he caused going on in the media and add to it even a bit.

In a way he is actually a clever man, he used the media for his personal benefit at a time islamophobia is raging like an epidemic in the US. Before his magnificent idea to burn the books life wasn't that great for Mr Jones. He had a sorry 50 followers (thank God), he had been kicked out of Germany a disgraced preacher following accusations of emotional, spiritual and economic abuse of his followers, his hate book didn't sell, and he happened to be in deep depts too.
Read more on his sect in Germany:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/09/quran-burning-terry-jones-sect-germany

He saw the potential of growing fear for Islam and decided to manipulate the media to his own advantage.

And what did the western media do? Go all crazy in reporting on this nobody. Even reporting LIVE from his church! I mean seriously, why did the media even bother? Because they too want to profit and with the "ground zero" mosque debate and 9/11 anniversary, what better headlines for them to indulge in!
The western media is feeding the terrorists, the Christian terrorists like mr Jones. Even president Obama disappointed by going along in his game and giving this insignificant hater some attention-just what Jones wanted and needed.

Now lets look at the definition of terrorism and its psychological aspects:
Terrorism is defined as political violence in an asymmetrical conflict that is designed to induce terror and psychic fear (sometimes indiscriminate) through the violent victimization and destruction of noncombatant targets (sometimes iconic symbols). Such acts are meant to send a message from an illicit clandestine organization. The purpose of terrorism is to exploit the media in order to achieve maximum attainable publicity as an amplifying force multiplier in order to influence the targeted audience(s) in order to reach short- and midterm political goals and/or desired long-term end states."

The western media can be thanked for giving this terrorist maximum attainable publicity and allowing him thus to reach his goals. It's a shame on them for making such a little indifferent man top news for so many days. SHAME on them! He should not have made any headlines!

According to the reverend himself who btw never read the Quran or talked to a muslim before, his goal was to show the world how the muslims ie terrorists would (over)react. He wanted to send a message! I wonder what his noble message was. If anything it was a message of hate, intolerance and ignorance. Whatever his original message would have been, in reality it would've never reach the people he targeted unaltered.

First of all, if the foolish western media would have done the right, responsible thing and left the reverend to his pathetic existence, none of this madness would have happened.

Take those muslims in Afghanistan who got outraged and totally overreacted on the Quran burning. How did they actually find out and why was their reaction so blown out of proportion?
Media in places like Afghanistan is of course, nothing like media in the west. People don't have tv's or internet let alone access to channels like cnn or bbc. Otherwise they would have learned the truth of the matter, that about 90% of americans are against what Jones represents and entirely condemn his actions.
What ultimately reaches these uneducated poverty stricken people is mostly hearsay, not what we know, not what the reverends egoistic heroic message to them was.
These hypersensitive muslims probably heard about an american christian religious leader threatening to burn Qurans. They most likely heard it at the neighborhood mosque, from the imam they trust. The imam could possibly have a clue of the true matters, but what is most important here is that the message he delivers to them is of hatred and intolerance. So the original message becomes distorted and exaggerated.

Before reverend Jones or any other westerner goes ahead and rolls their eyes condmening these people and says "we told you so" we have to put things into context. These radically reacting muslims might have no education at all, they might be illiterate, their knowledge of the west is from anti-western extremists they look up to at their mosques, they have no access to other media outlets and their whole lives have been fed crap about the big bad west and it being the source of all their problems. That is their reality and it sheds a whole different light on the matter.
I think we as educated human beings should acknowledge this, not necessarily accept it, but at least understand the backrounds that lead to this behavior.

Maybe mr Jones could fly out to Afghanistan himself and see what goes on there and deliver his message while at it!

The Magic Month in the Kingdom

Ramadan is a very special month to Muslims all over the world. In case you are not sure what Ramadan means to Muslims and why Muslims fast check out this link.
The crecent moon has been sighted and the fasting has started this morning.

Ramadan in Saudi-Arabia is a very different experience from any other country, even other arab Muslim countries. Fasting is taken dead seriously and the whole nation accomodates to make fasting easier.Spirits are high, every Muslim supports one another. The whole country changes radically for a month. For some expats it seems to be a nightmarish experience. But again I think it all comes down to attitudes and what one makes of it. I personally think it's a privilage to be able to experience it.

For expats it might appear something like this:

During Ramadan Saudis turn entirely into nocturnal beings, the daily rhythym reverses itself. Shops will open only in the late afternoon or after sunset and close around 2 am. Riyadh is like a phantom city until sunset arrives.
After the last prayer of the day Ishaa, thousands and thousands of huge SUV's packed with the entire Saudi family start making their ways to their relatives houses or shoppingmalls. Slowly they begin crawling into the streets eventually stopping the traffic altogether.
When they finally reach the malls the women will go out looking for Ramadan sales. Everyone will be busy finding nice clothes to wear for Ramadan.
Tailors get packed with women and men having custom-made thobes and jallabiyas ready for Eid clebrations.
Restaurants and food courts fill with families and screaming children throughout the night. Everyone including the smallest children will be stuffing themselves before they begin fasting. Some indulge in KFC and McDonalds megameals followed by a box of Cinnabons until they cannot move anymore.
Special night prayers also known as Taraweeh prayers are called out from the thousands of mosques around the city. They can be heard as a discordant symphony throughout the night.
Dental offices will be busy until 3 am with fasting patients that cannot be treated during the daytime.
Finally the streets congest once again with families hurrying home before Fajr prayer, which at this time of year is around 4 am.
After that, nothing. Absolute silence on the streets of Riyadh until it all starts over again the following day.
At home some will stay up until the morning chatting and watching tv, finally falling asleep when the sun comes up.
This was a bit aggrevated version of Ramadan in the Kingdom but many although of course not all Saudis do unfortunately spend it like this.
Read here how Ramadan is ideally spent.

For an "outsider" the experience may seem somewhat absurd and incomprehensible. First timers are usually either extremely irritated or fascinated.
What irritates non-Muslims is of course that they cannot do anything during the days since everything is closed and when the stores do open they are fully packed. But this is also the time that consuming any kind of fluid or food in public during the daylight hours becomes a horrendous crime.
Non-Muslims drinking publicly might openly be shouted at and at least glared down by angry Muslims. Basically non-Muslims are forced to hide all evidence of consuming.
If the Muttawa spots someone publicly drinking they might be in big trouble for disgracing the Holy month and might even end up in jail.

I personally think this is quite ridiculous and blowing things out of proportion. I don't mind if someone eats spaghetti bolognese in front of me when I'm fasting! I can always go somewhere else, look away or just not care. After all fasting is about self discipline too. I don't see why some Muslims will get offended by this. It's not like the non-muslims are doing it on purpose to offend anyone although I'm not saying that might rarely occur.
Sure people should be sensitive but this kind of dramatising and exaggeration is in my view unnecessary. Why does respecting other cultures and religions only seem to work in one direction in Saudi-Arabia? Religious tolerance should work both ways.
For example in the hospital all the staff's water bottles have to be hidden out of public sight, they are stored behind closed doors or bathrooms where staff has to go to secretly have a sip. Fasting Saudi employees will generally have very flexible working hours, arriving late, leaving early and taking hour long breaks while non-Saudi Muslims will not have all these luxuries and they are expected to be just fine with it.

I bet when some of these same hypersensitive Saudis go abroad they will forget about tolerance of all other religions altogether..

Anyways Ramadan Mubarak everyone!

The woman's right to uncover vs the right to cover

I wanted to write about why muslim women cover and then I started thinking about all the women who do the opposite and the reasons behind it. By taking a look from "the other side of the fence" the view might be very different..We shouldn't judge the other side so harshly and think what we are doing in the west is the best thing or the other way around.

Why is it that it's regarded as a right if I chose to uncover certain parts of my body, however now that I choose to rather cover them, it suddenly becomes frowned upon and questioned as if I do not have the right to do so as a western "free" woman..On the other hand, muslim women are viewed as oppressed, the image is that they are forced to cover. Isn't the opposite then also true, to be "forced' to uncover is also oppression?

This is a controversial post on a very controversial subject. I'm going to be very blunt and honest here, saying things many people might not want to hear or admit let alone agree with me.. I just want to express my opinion, not offend anyone! Remember this is just my opinion, and the conclusions which I have come to after alot of reading, studying, critical thinking and self reflection. Afterall, it's my blog, if you don't like it then you can just click yourself away :D
I dedicate this post to ALL the wise, beautiful-minded, thinking women out there! I know you exist everywhere!

Women around the western world have the right to UNcover as they please. Most people won't question or look down upon a woman in very revealing outfits. It is considered a right for a woman to undress herself in public if she so wishes.

Think about it. Uncovering, or revealing clothing for women is more than welcomed, it's almost required to show at least some skin. If its not the cleavage, then it has to be something else like the legs, or a at least show her figure in tight or see-through clothing. Flaunt it is the motto of the day. Women in sexy outfits sell us food, deodorant, icecream etc in commercials on tv, in magazines, everywhere!

But why is this? Why do women agree to this? Does it make us feel more beautiful, accepted and secure? Then why is there an increasing amount of depression and other mental illnesses, eating disorders and insecurity among women, especially young women? As women grow older, plastic surgery, botox and the likes become a part of many of their lives. The world is getting more and more obsessed with how women look. Nevermind what they think or feel! In order for a woman to be accepted and valued in the western society seems to be through her appearance. In a way women are forced to uncover and look immaculate, and are thus oppressed. Anything that is forced on anyone is oppression in my opinion.

I see this is as just another form of men controlling women to suit their own pleasure. Undressing women is, lets face it, very appealling for most men. Women are brainwashed to think like this so men can have their pleasure of watching bare skin and feminine shapes, and women are fooled to think they are equal with men because of it! Women think all this displaying of bare flesh in public, media and practically in every media outlet is advancement! How is it going forward?

Women compete with eachother mostly with their looks, not their brains like men do. A beautiful woman is almost always seen as a threat to other women. Beautiful women dont have an easy life, good female friends are hard to find because nearly all women will be more or less envious of her looks. Being beautiful means getting male attention everywhere, this is a self-evident truth. Women tend to get extremely jealous of these women who get all the attention from men. All this because women think her worth comes from her looks rather than the inside. But is this how women percieve themselves, through the men? The more beautiful you are=the more valuable in mens eyes. Respect yourselves women! Respect your bodies whatever the shape and size!

All this jealousy and envy among women leads to even more "competition" who is the prettiest, skinniest, has the biggest breasts, longest hair, best legs or whatever else it is. This is just a waste of time and leads to women being evaluated by their looks, not whats inside their hearts and minds.

Then we have feminists who cry out for gender equality by calling for women to burn their bras and walk to the streets wearing miniskirts. Example from Finland: show up in parliament wearing miniskirt the width of a belt to make a fool out of yourself STATEMENT. Now HOW does this improve womens rights and equality? I think that is just absurd, can someone please explain? A Finnish politician Rosa Merilainen did just that. But what did Rosa achieve by this honorable act against for women's rights? The men in her party started having discussions "in the hallway" out of her sight. She lost all her credibility, and wasnt re-elected.
All this kind of nonsense just makes men laugh into their beards behind our back and in the process they get a nice view. But progress for womens issues? No way.

So lets take a look at covering then, in the western societies it seems to be mostly looked down upon and extensively questioned. Why do you dress like that? What's that rag on your head? Why do you want to look like a nun? Why do you want to spoil all the fun at a party?
The more the woman covers her body, the less she is accepted into society. Her value diminishes as the skin disappears. The most disrespected is the woman who chooses to cover even her face. How dare she?
When you see a woman covered from head to toe, what will you think, honestly? Poor woman, oppressed, miserable, abused, uneducated, backward, no self-esteem? Think again. How about self-respecting, content, independent, brave, satisfied, educated, free-willed? It could be either one or a mixture of both.

Why do women generally not have the right to cover in western world? They have already taken the right for muslim girls to cover their hair in schools in France, and now there has been discussion in many european countries about banning the veil altogether. Ok I understand that for verification of identity it essential. But otherwise, why not let these women cover their faces if they so wish? Its their own choice. The politicians supporting the ban say niqab devalues womens rights. How, since it is their own decision? Banning veiling actually takes AWAY from womens rights. Her right to cover.

First impressions tell us alot about the person we are dealing with. The way we dress plays a major role in how we are percieved by others. I guess everyone will have their own perceptions of what they define as either immodest or modest ways of dressing. That is why defining covering/uncovering is so difficult, its an individual opinion.

My message is this: western women live in a world mostly controlled by men. Why give them the right to control also our bodies and undress us?Why not keep our bodies to ourselves and say, its none of your business whats underneath!!

We CANNOT change the world on an individual level. Even how difficult this is to accept, women will mostly be viewed as some sort of sexual objects. Especially if we dress in miniskirts, revealing tops, microshorts and the likes. I've spent years rebelling, fighting and creating myself anxiety over this. When I realized that by accepting how things are, and trying to change only myself, not the world and the men, things got alot easier.

What we CAN do is change ourselves. Change how we present ourselves and send a message with the way we dress. The message is : I value my body and have the right to cover it as I wish! Respect me for it, dont judge me for it!
I'm not trying to say women shouldn't have the right to uncover. Everyone should do what feels best for them. I just hope this would provoke some thoughts, especially in women.

Neither does this mean I think all women should go around dressed in abayas, "black tents" or cover up everything, I'm all for individuality, moderation and style. But dressing modestly can be done by modern western style clothing also.
That way a woman shifts the focus from her body to herself as a thinking, feeling person. This is the wisdom behind the Islamic dress code for women. By no means is it oppressing, I would rather say LIBERATING from the pressures women face about their bodies being under constant scrutiny.
Take care and cherish your body, because it is beautiful no matter its size and shape. You dont need to display it to the whole world to get acceptance..Not every woman looks like Claudia Shiffer, so Islamic dress code makes women more equal and decreases envy and jealousy.

Try to think out of your comfort zone, try to ask yourself who are you really doing uncovering for?

Saudi culture and visiting the sick

Since my last post showed a rather negative side of saudi culture, this post will display one of the many positive sides to the Saudi way of life.
Visiting the patients in hospitals is a very important thing here, it stems from Islam and its teaching to visit the sick.

A patient in saudi hospital is rarely ever left alone. He/she will almost always have a "sitter" staying in the room with them. These sitters are family members, they might be a son, a daughter, a mother or father, a grandson/daughter, aunt or uncle, brother or sister. The most important thing is the patient is never neglected and left alone, he or she will always be looked after by the family. The family might also provide a paid sitter in addition to family members.

As a westerner this came to me as a surprise, a very positive one of course! In western countries like my home country, sadly patients rarely have visitors, they might come on weekends only,or only on holidays if patient is for example in elderly home. Some of these people might have been forgotten in these elderly homes with absolutely no relatives visiting at all..

It would be considered a disgrace and great shame to put ones parents in an elderly home here. Elderly homes do not even exist!There is no need for them, it is an honor to take care of ones parents and have them live in your home.
The sitters take care of all the basic needs of the patients. They will help them eat, even feed them if they cannot themselves, they will assist them to shower and to toilet, and anything else the patient needs. I think this is just awesome! The families here are so close and its amazing to see how dedicated they are. For example, I would bet you no average western man would "babysit" their very ill, possibly demented, bedridden mother. Would a western man change her diapers, feed her, turn her in bed, rub her feet, read her books or recite Quran/read Bible? The average saudi man on the other hand would NEVER say a bad word or get irritated if the mother is demanding, forgetful or confused.
In the Quran there is several verses stressing kindness towards parents, here is one "..be dutiful to your parents, if one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour.(Quran 17:23)
Type into Google "kindness to parents" and all the top 10 results are from Islamic sites :)

And how about a husbands dedication to his ill wife? They will go through anything to please their wives, they truly are great husbands. This also comes from Islam, the prophet Muhammed (pbuh) said "the best among you (men) are the ones who are best in treatment towards their wives."
The elderly patients will be the most respected, they might have great great grandchildren visit them!
Children are much valued in saudi culture and family sizes are often large, I've come across parents with 17 children!The more common amount is around 6.

A patient might have many visitors at a time, sometimes so they fill up the whole room. They will bring tea or arabic coffee, dates, chocolates, flowers, cakes, pastries etc to offer the patient. When other relatives come they are then served to those sweets also. Sometimes the whole family will eat a meal together in the patients room. You might even see them sitting on the floor on a carpet eating and chatting. Saudis are the most hospitable people I have ever met. They will always invite the nurse to have a cup of tea or coffee, to have taste of the foods, and will generously give chocolates and other goods, even if they are poor they will want to give you something.

Often the visitors will come in groups of either men or women, and they will visit the patient separately, although if they are close relatives they will go in together. Sometimes when many women visit at a time the whole room will smell like their lovely perfumes, or they might even burn some bukhoor inside the room (mind you it IS forbidden). Bokhoor is a kind or special wood that is slowly burned and the smoke smells really good. This is also used as a welcoming gesture to guests.

Ive been lucky to have met many lovely saudi families and become friends with some.

What is Islam?

What in fact, is Islam, what does it teach, what do Muslims really believe? Most westerners (including myself previously) won't know the accurate answers. Or they have a picture of Islam created by biased western media. They were taught according to modern western religious studies in school that Islam is a violent religion. I know now that some of the main, most important points were (deliberately?)left out to give Islam a negative image. The image is unfortunately very wrong and distorted.

Some common misunderstandings westerners have of Islam/Muslims:

-Islam is a religion made up by a man called Mohammed.. (pbuh!)
-Muslims bow to a black meteorite in Saudi-Arabia
-Mohammed wrote the Quran
-Muslim women are treated as slaves and forced to cover in thick black clothes by their husbands
-Allah is a god created by muslims (astaghferallah!)

These are only some of the many quite ridiculous perceptions people have. Im not sure if the majority of muslims are aware how western people percieve their religion.

In short, Islam is the belief that there is a God, only one God, there always has been and always will be. God in arabic language is Allah, today arabic speaking Christians use the word Allah too. Allah is not a different, "made-up" god, it is in fact the same only God Christians and Jews belive in.. These three faiths are called "the Abrahamic faiths". What this means is, all three are eachothers succesions, with the same roots. The basic belief system is the same.
Think of it as a metaphore of a tree of life. Judaism is the trunk of the tree, Christianity is the branches, and Islam is the leaves and flowers :) The roots are the same. Without Christianity and Judaism, the tree will not grow leaves and blossom, and the leaves will not survive if they dont get water from the trunk and branches.

God created the earth, the heavens, and everything in it. He sent prophets to humans of all nations and times, beginning from Adam, to Moses, Jesus and the last of prophets Muhammed. The prophets were sent to teach people the right way to live our life, the path to follow to be succesful, in this life and the next one. Their message was always the same. During the course of time men, culture and environment changed and distorted the original message. What purpose would God have created us for if He didnt let us know of Him and of our purpose in life? That in my opinion would just be illogical.

So Muslims believe in Jesus(pbuh)? Yes they do indeed. This is usually a great surprise to westerners/ christians. Wonder why they "forgot' to mention that to us in western school? Oh and also they forgot to mention that Jesus actually predicted his follower will be Mohammed, and this can be found in the Bible! And in Virgin Mary, Angel Gabriel and John Babtist too? If they would have let people know these things in western schools, I bet it would make people more curious and inshallah some would start finding out and getting interested in Islam. But thats not what the church wants of course.
The difference in how muslims view Jesus is that he is a Prophet, not a son of god! Jesus never taught that he is to be worshipped. It cannot be found anywhere in the Bible, on the contrary the Bible refutes this over and over by saying there is only one God. Jesus always emphasized: pray to God, trust God, it is God who makes these miracles, not me, I am just a human being. It was only after his death that the doctrine of the "Holy Trinity" was invented. The Holy Trinity, as a formal doctrine, was adopted by the Council of Nicaea only in 325 CE. It was a political move which went against the teachings of Jesus himself.


Mohammed (pbuh)was the last in the line of messengers, he was sent to ALL nations, to all times. Not just to arab people, the message is universal. The allegation that Mohammed wrote the Quran is just silly, because first of all he was an illiterate man! So how would he even be able to? And there are many facts in the Quran that have been proven to be scientifically correct only in modern times. So how did Mohammed know 1400 yrs ago for example; how the universe was created from nothing and then from gases and that it continues to expand, the sun and the moon float in orbits, that all living things came from water, how the human embryo develops (only seen by microscope) or how the earth is protected by the ozon layer? Just to mention a few of the hundreds of geological, astronomical, anatomical, biological or chemical scientifically proven facts mentioned in the Quran.

Regarding muslim women covering and veiling, most westerners tend to think the husbands are forcing the wife to cover. This could not be farther from the truth! Muslim women choose to cover for modesty out of their own will and respect for their bodies. This is such a broad and complicated subject I will have to write a separate post on it altogether.

This is just a very brief general description of Islam in my own words, I hope it would erase some negative images of Islam.