صباح فارسي

  Saudi girls are asking for physical activities like swimming, basketball and other sports in school as a matter of right to be healthy and not as a matter of luxury. Supporting them is the Saudi Women’s Committee for Family Health, which finds it a dire necessity to add at least one period for physical education in girls’ schools – and more, to open sports clubs for women all over the country.   "Why is physical education only for international schools?” asked Lamia, a high school student. “What about us who are in government schools?  We are the majority. We should have it as well.” Lamia’s contention, however, opens a larger issue of facilities in government schools for girls. Her government school is in a rented building. "There isn't enough room there for us to walk and enjoy school time,” she said. “It is quite boring there. We just want to have a period for physical games, a little fun."   The problem of space in government schools like Lamia’s cann...

  Most of those who make plastic surgery are ashamed to admit that because they know that it is against nature. They change something in their characters and inside.   “I had breast reduction. But I never forgive myself for that.” Said Huda, a 43-years old Saudi woman about the plastic surgery that she made for herself. “I never thought that I will regret having that operation. I have suffered a lot since I had that plastic surgery for my breasts,” she added. Having such surgery is becoming a sign of luxury in Saudi society. Male and female are willing to pay so much money to get these surgeries done. The concern with appearance and preserving youth has become a desire for some Saudis. Cosmetic surgery has become a growth industry in the kingdom, with a growing number of clinics providing such procedures as hair transplants, breast enlargement, breast reduction, liposuction and facelifts. Few years ago, such surgeries weren’t permitted in the kingdom. But some people...

  Many young girls in the society are forced into arranged marriages purely for the financial gain of their parents. Finding a proper husband for their daughters become sought after business transactions - disregarding the unrealistic physical, psychological and social demands they have sold their children into. " My mother sold me to a self-absorbed alcoholic for a diamond when I was only 16", said Hala, a 42-year-old widow. "She traveled the world with the profit she made from me." Even though Islam constitutes parents to choose spouses for their children so that they ‘may dwell in tranquility and share affection and mercy , it sometimes happen that parents sidestep the intended goodness of this teaching to satisfy their own greed. "He never made me feel like a woman and when he was around, treated me like garbage,” Hala said of her husband, who chased other women. Hala was left pregnant and divorced within two months of getting married. Her life sinc...

  The hesitation in allowing women to drive is getting a problem in the Saudi society. People cannot just lift the ban because the longer they wait the harder it will get to change it. "There no text in Koran that prohibits driving the cars, "said Dr. Saud Al Mesabeh, the manager for relationship and directing for the interior ministry. "It is not sinful to drive the cars there are lot of Muslims women outside the kingdom that drive the cars. So, the issue is about how the society will react to it, that's what really matters,"   The Saudi society is changing rapidly, and the necessities of life are getting more. Women want to share in building the new generation they want to play greater role than they used to do for the past twenty years.     Nine Saudi women became soldiers in Dammam's prison. They were trained to deal with prisoners and to take them to the courts. These soldiers have the same as men.    "We need qualified women to wor...

  The Abaya is undergoing a fashion revolution. The way women are wearing it is changing. They are no longer covered from head to toe as it used to be 20 years ago. The Abaya itself is undergoing changes in design, colors and purposes.   In fact, there may come a time when the Abaya may even disappear Wearing the Abaya is a tradition rooted in the teachings of Islam and reflects the way parents raise their children. In their childhood, little girls imitate the way their mothers wear the Abaya that covers their whole body and the veil covers the head. In the traditional Saudi society, Girls understand that the Hijab (covering the head and the body) is not only a tradition but also a religious obligation in keeping with Islam.   Yet in a post-9/11 world, the Abaya has suddenly come to the forefront as a symbol not only of Islam but the Middle East as well. And its image has taken a beating under relentless Western media scrutiny that sees the garment as an example of oppres...

  Saudi society is slowly moving towards smaller, nuclear families with parents focusing on providing their children a solid foundation for a better life. The New Standard Middle East¹s study ­ Arab As Consumer -- of Saudis in 2002 revealed a profound shift by families towards individualism.   A sampling of 500 Saudis showed that couples are having fewer children as income, affordability and Saudi values come into play. The average Saudi household of family members only has declined in the last 10 years from an average 6.1 family members to 5.3. The population Saudi Arabia continues to grow about 3 percent a year, but the study indicates an anticipated slowdown.   Many Saudis, however, say they are thinking on a smaller scale for practical considerations. Having many kids doesn't give you the chance to buy them all their Needs for school or clothes, said Amal Al-Ghamdi, 35, a working woman. The prices for things at the market are going crazy.   A mother or a father w...

  Salesmen Saudi Young men are breaking the ice by taking up jobs in shops for selling clothes , make up or shoes for girls and women who are not used to deal with Saudi salesmen for   a long time.   Zaky Bantaan ,20, working on part time ,for two years ,for Evans ,a specialized shop for big sizes . He works as a cashier   and he provides customers all the service   that they need   he also takes care of cleaning . "   Basically we give her more than what she needs .If she needs   just a blouse , I suggest for her shoes from Milano or accessories from Claire's   " Zaky said   . He thinks that he can work best with his old customers because they are regular ones and he knows what are they looking for exactly .     About his treatment to ladies " We should be professional ,we were taught lessons about etiquettes of dealing with customers   '' he said, " We don't mix work with personal life , I am earning money from m...