What current Saudi Arabian laws would Westerners find oppressive?

Question

Please no hate posts from either side. I am just interested in knowing a little about their laws/culture.

If you can I would prefer if you added URLs for your sources. Thanks.

I heard something about Wahabi laws. What is that all about?

And.......Please don't tell me to Google it. That is not what the answer function on Answers is all about.

Answer 1

their laws are strictly and biasedly based on syariah/islamic law. Being a hardlining moslem country it is very oppressing to be there and not be a moslem. you cant hold a cross/bible, you cant have a religious meeting, they also have a religious police who can arrest you and throw you into some dessert jail and behead you unless you convert into a moslem. so go figure!

Answer 2

Westerners will definitely find life in Saudi Arabia shocking. The guys mentioned enough about women not driving cars or the absence of churches (in public).

Let me add this, Saudi Arabia is under major reconstruction project, in all aspects from down to top. Laws will all be changed to comply with the plan especially after approving the tourist visas.

Westerners are most welcome in Saudi Arabia and they can feel the hospitality in everywhere they go. The average stay for a westerner in Saudi Arabia is from 10-15 years!, and we just said good bye to 25-year worker in the company !.

The reasons to come to Saudi Arabia can't go out of: Work/Business , Stop Over or Visit to the Islamic holy places (if you're Muslim). In my opinion, It's not a place to settle, it's a place to plan your retirement by working hard and saving money. Westerners have the higher salaries in all companies here (I'm working in Salary Planning !!).

Talking about what so called Wahabi Police which we call them a religious police or "Mutawa'". First of all, they are not police, they are a government group who monitor abuse or offensive behavior in public places especially toward women. Now, they're not even on the streets since they see everything through the hanging camers here and there !! I think they shouldn't be a problem.

To summarize, remember this:

-In every public place in Saudi Arabia, there is Single Section & Family/Single Women Section.

-There are no bars or discos there and liquors are not sold (in public).

-Women don't drive (except inside some company camps) and all women should wear "Abayah" or the black cover which is basically like a robe (no comes in many designs and styles that became a fashion !). You don't have cover head.
Another thing, you would find the Saudi traditional cloths funny !! well, just bare with it!

-Please, don't look at every Saudi as he is ready to blow you away!!. From the first day, you'd be amazed how naive and kind Saudi people are.

-Most police man here don't know much of English. When you have a problem as a local to help you translate.

I hope I could help more,
shot me a question anytime and I'll do my best..



Regards

Answer 3

The Saudi laws aren’t bad as people rumoring about most of time and to be honest I get upset when people just bashing my country with their limited point view. I myself I don’t judge people or country by the media or what I heard about them, I rather meet the people or travel to the country to understand their lifestyle or the way of their living. There is a lot of misunderstanding of the Saudi culture like the head scarf, women rights and they always mix it with laws. Head scarf for example is not a law, its Islamic tradition and women don’t have to wear it if she doesn’t want to and no body will force her to wear it! Nevertheless, the Saudi laws is not based in Wahabi teaching or laws because there is no such a thing in Islam called wahabi. In fact, Wahabi a word made by Shi’a extremist to use against Sunnie extremist in their long run hate war. Good luck

Answer 4

I think that as a 'westerner' I know little about Saudi actual laws. However, what I have learned from movies and media is this:

You can not practice Christianity, it's against the law.
Women have to wear a head garment, it's the law.

And I don't think it's the laws (because I really don't know the laws) that is oppresive, but rather the HEAT! How the heck do you people live in that heat? Jeeze, I mean, I'm in Michigan and it get's over 85 degrees F and I'm melting. I'm actually trying to move MORE north soon.

Answer 5

In that all Saudi Arabian law is based on the Koran and most Westerners take a stance of tolerance and freedom of religion, the idea of having but one source for law - a 7th century text - would be ridiculous to most intelligent people.

Answer 6

I lived there for five years so consider myself qualified to answer this. Undoubtedly the most obnoxious laws have to do with women being unable to drive a car; they must take taxis (not cheap) or public transportation (inconvenient). Second on the list is that all stores have to close at prayer time, which considerably complicates shopping. The religious police are a nuisance, although I had few run-ins with them. Also on the list: it's illegal to buy life insurance. (I found this surprising; auto insurance is available, recommended, and inexpensive.) Aside from these, I found it pleasant (especially in the winter, before it gets hot).
I note responder Fahad's answer with approval.

Answer 7

While I'm not very educated on Saudi Arabian laws, I would have a real problem with the female dress code required in many Muslim countries.

Answer 8

I don't want to change the topic, but I think it depends on the countries! I mean, Americans can understand execution, but for Europeans, execution is oppressive. And, so, an American law is also oppressive for other "Western" countries... Or, as an Asian, I find Americans' executions, or Europeans prisons!.. I mean, it really hard to answer your question!

I hope, you'll get answers, but I just wanted to warn you about it. Generalizing "Westerners" is, a little bit too general!

Answer 9

It may surprise you to know that many Muslims are also appalled at the kind of laws that they have in Saudi Arabia. Personally I do not belive that the Saudi Government follows Islam at all. They are a deviant sect and not followers of Sunna in Islam.

Peace and Blessings,

Salim

Answer 10

Here are a few to start...

Chapter 3, Article 12
The consolidation of national unity is a duty, and the state will prevent anything that may lead to disunity, sedition and separation.
- This is somewhat problematic considering its rather open to interpretation as to what is meant by "disunity". This gives the government free reign to prevent "anything"...

Chapter 3, Article 13
education will aim at instilling the Islamic faith in the younger generation, providing its members with knowledge and skills and preparing them to become useful members in the building of their society, members who love their homeland and are proud of its history.
- Problematic in the sense that what is defined as Islamic faith. Imagine the range bewteen fundamentalist Islamics and moderate Islamics, and what is defined as building the society can be intrepreted as the destruction of the infidel.

Chapter 5, Article 39 [Expression]
Information, publication, and all other media shall employ courteous language and the state's regulations, and they shall contribute to the education of the nation and the bolstering of its unity. All acts that foster sedition or division or harm the state's security and its public relations or detract from man's dignity and rights shall be prohibited. The statutes shall define all that.
-Westerners (particularly Americans) are rather fond of the concept of free speech, and this article certainly does not uphold the concept of free speech.

Answer 11

"Saudi Arabia is an Islamic monarchy without legal protection for freedom of religion, and such protection does not exist in practice. Islam is the official religion, and the law requires that all citizens be Muslims."

I'm sure all the people of Saudi Arabia are happy being Muslims!