I was born in ksa and had been residing there for 18 years but never visited Daharan but heard some gossips that non saudi womens are allowed to roam free without abaya and many other major things favoring western culture is it true?
2007-05-20 08:04:03 · 4 answers · asked by Faisal 1 in Travel ➔ Africa & Middle East ➔ Saudi Arabia
You must mean inside ARamco oil company living compound. Yes its primarily a western atmosphere. It was originally built back in the 1940's as a housing compound for the Americans that came to work for Aramco, so as such it is catered to their needs. After Aramco sold out from USA to full Saudi ownership in the late 1980's.. More and more SAudi's were allowed to move into the housing compound. So the western influence and customes are slowly changing. I had lived inside Aramco for 5 years and just recently myself moved out (I am Saudi American) Women inside the camp do not have to dress traditionally Saudi.. They can wear what they want, shorts included. You see women, families jogging up and down the streets for exercise.. Women can drive inside the camp.. Women can swim freely in the camp pools. It has always been western like.. In the past (20years or more ago) The commisaries used to sell pork related items to the Americans who obviously were not muslim and liked that sort of food. they even had a little farm inside Aramco that raised pigs.. they have all done away with that.. The commisary now is run by an outside contractor and sells what you'd find in any other grocery in Saudi. .. .. The reason why Aramco seems so lenient and relaxed about the western atmosphere is cause still its primarily the main housing for its foreign employees and a happy employee is a productive one.. You cannot force a Christian, Jew, or whatever other religion they are to practice your own religion.. They try to allow them their freedom within reason.. (there are still moral laws to follow) No alcohol or wild parties allowed. The security is still aware and you can get into trouble if you go to far.. But for the most part, its a western relaxed place and I dont see it changing anytime soon.. If anyone doesnt like it. Just dont visit it.
2007-05-20 16:38:14 · answer #1 · answered by Mintee 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
yes,it is true..i have seen westerners without abaya there
mutuawas do not do anything against them bcoz they r open-minded mutuawas..yes they r
even us -saudi women- ,they do not follow us everywhere and tell us 2 cover our faces or to wear abaya on our heads
like what mutuawas do in Riyadh for example
if the non-muslim woman go to anywhere without abaya but dressed something that is respectable what is the problem with that?? she is not muslim!!
2007-05-21 08:38:33 · answer #2 · answered by Nora 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is difficult to conceive. I have been there in Khobar and Dhahran areas around one year and could not been able to notice this.
May be, I am not sure.
2007-05-20 21:49:55 · answer #3 · answered by Zain 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it's true.
Check the following news:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/middleeastreports/s_507462.html
2007-05-20 09:06:34 · answer #4 · answered by Devastated 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋