Unsettling the Status Quo for Saudi Women

Mody Al-Khalaf, who earned a mention a few weeks ago with her inspiring "I Too Have a Dream" op-ed about Saudi women voting in the country's first municipal elections (a privilege currently denied until 2009), is back with a powerful new op-ed: "And That Is How History is Made."

Al-Khalaf's piece is a response to an article by Raid Qusti, the Thomas Friedman of Saudi columnists, who blows hot and cold on reform depending on his mood. Qusti's recent column poo-pooed the need for women to vote in the semi-groundbreaking first-ever municipal elections in Saudi Arabia. "At present, allowing women to vote would not have been practical due to the social conditions in Saudi Arabia," wrote Qusti.

Al-Khalaf slams Qusti's attempt to rationalize the status quo and then in a moving conclusion expands on her "I Too Have a Dream" op-ed by painting a vivid picture of her dream:

...I see this: I see a woman running in the elections. I see her posting her picture in newspaper ads, and by doing so she breaks the faceless mold many of us live in. I see a woman hosting many events, meeting with people of both sexes, and by doing so she breaks the social phobia we have of allowing such situations. I see some Saudi men and women voting for this woman, because they want change and because this woman embodies “hope of a different tomorrow” to them.

I see a woman winning in the elections. I see a woman appearing in public in a press conference, talking to the media and making official announcements. I see a woman becoming a part of Saudi politics, thus paving the way for more female participation at all levels, including other political sectors. I see a woman who stands in the face of many obstacles, yet tackles them all one by one, head on, and rises above them all. I see a woman showing Saudis and the rest of the world that Saudi women are educated, dignified, and determined. I see a woman who has made history.

Unfortunately, however, my hypothetical situation was never put to the test either. No Saudi woman got the chance to run or even vote. Why? Because we are not ready to let anyone “make history”; because we dwell too much on what can and cannot be done “practically”. Something everyone keeps forgetting is this: If you keep doing what you’re doing, you will always be what you are. If we keep saying “society will not allow women to do such and such”, we will always be the frozen society we are.

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