The Women

     Jaqui White replies to the charge by Linda Nyquist that her experience in Saudi Arabia was limited to the wealthy:
     I prefaced my remarks upon Saudi Arabia with the caveat, that clearly I could only venture an opinion upon my personal experiences. We traveled over much of the Kingdom, and the hospitality et al was present from every Saudi irregardless of his economic position. The humblest herder of goats would urge us to share his tea and bread, which we were always thrilled to do ( I adore goats - they are so darling). We would sit on the ground on the always present rugs, and be surrounded by the herds, butting us happily, with the kids bleating demandingly.
     On that level, usually there was usually only one wife due to the economic limits. She was always there, since apparently the herds always belong to her. This is the result of the dowry. Often they would bring out one of their teen-age daughters, usually absolutely lovely in every way, with the hope that perhaps my husband would like to add to his pitiful entourage of only one wife. Although I viewed this with a jaundiced eye, I would not have blamed him a bit for instantly converting to Islam to acquire this sloe-eyed nubile beauty.
     Linda Nyquist is absolutely correct - I can only mention what I experienced. I was not able to study the women of every economic level. It did appear, however, that very often they seemed to be the owner of the wealth of the family, whether it was goats, land, camels or often gold (again dowry - in the form of necklaces and other jewelry). As a result of this, their standing in the family was certainly not subservient. The custom of dowry perhaps has evolved over the generations as a means to insure the safety of the bride from mistreatment. I also understand that divorce is allowed, and accepted. Generally women absolutely do NOT want to divorce, because that would render them a third wheel, so to speak, at the mercy of male relatives for protection and social escort.
     The Saudis have used their oil income to bring experts in every field to the Kingdom. As a result they have the most beautiful buildings, roads, lighting systems, hospitals, schools, airports, and military bases. These expatriates are from all over Europe, Southeast Asia, and the States, and have transformed a bedouin country into a modern, well equipped country in only a relatively few years. They have preferred these experts to be Muslim, but if need be they bring the best, whatever their religious preference (except Jews). Fortunately, they have so much space, they have not had to tear down their historic areas, particularly in Jeddah, so one can wander in the old areas of the city, and be transported back thousands of years.
     If you have an opportunity to dive in the Red Sea, do so. It is still in pristine condition. Since there are no tourists, it has not been injured nor spoiled. The Saudis are hesitant to go in the sea - to them the sea "has teeth", as they say.


     My comment: What Peter tells you about Paul, his story tells you more about Peter than it does about Paul. Jaqui has such a warm personality that even the goats nuzzle up to her. I have seen Saudi Arabia only from the air, when we flew from Iran to Egypt, so I cannot bring my cold judgment to bear on these things.
     However, I must argue again with Jaqui. She said she adored the bald eagle as the soaring symbol of American power; I pointed out that in fact it is a scavenger of dead fish. Now she says she adores goats. In fact, they are responsible for much desertification in the world, including Arab territories. It has seriously been suggested that for this they should be exterminated, although Jaqui could keep a few in a Texan corral.
     Tea? Herb tea? Islam is responsible for the destruction of the vineyards which provided much wine to the Roman Empire. Mohammed said wine was reserved for heaven, where it would not cause a hangover. He had reportedly tried it once. A French doctor told me always in my travels to drink red wine to fend off bugs. It has worked. You can get wine in North Africa, but Saudi Arabia? What about coffee, that native of Ethiopia beloved of Arabs. Is it too expensive for the goatherders?
     Jaqui's comment on the nubile beauty reveals the possible danger of polygamy. Certainly female jealousy must exist among Muslims. A man can divorce a wife by simply saying four times that he was doing so. Some WAISer women are wiser but sadder after the experience. Cf. the posting from Tim Brown.

Ronald Hilton - 10/23/99