In their turn, the activists of the women rights movement declare that there is nothing in the Islamic laws what would prohibit them to drive a car and lots of Saudi women are working in the governmental institutions and private companies just like men what is actually not prohibited by the Islamic laws. The initiators of the project, some of those are politics, say that in order not to raise up resentment of the population and not to raise up lots of problems, the practice of women driving should be first started in big cities. Such as Jedda and Al-Ryadh. In other districts it could raise unnecessary emotions.

Unlike the other Islamic countries, in Saudi Arabia women are not allowed to drive cars. They are also not allowed to take part in the voting.

The Evolution of Choosing a Spouse

It wasn’t that long ago that most Saudi weddings came about as the result of arranged marriages. Often, the betrothed were chosen for one another to shore up tribal alliances or a family’s wealth and power. This is why women are sometimes married to their first cousins. Today, arranged marriages are still within the norm, but the bride-to-be often has the opportunity to meet with her potential mate and provide her assent before the couple is betrothed.

Despite the advances in recent years, Saudi women are still prohibited from marrying a non-Arab unless she has special permission from the King. This holds true if the Arab is not a citizen of a country belonging to the Gulf Cooperation Council. According to the U.S. State Department, Saudi women who do marry Westerners usually come from progressive families and most often live outside of the country after marriage.

American Women as Wives

Although Saudi women rarely marry outside of their culture, it is somewhat more common for Saudi men to do so. After interviewing a number of American women who have married Saudis, the State Department drew up a set of recommendations for women who are considering marrying a Saudi man. They point out that the parents of the husband-to-be have an enormous amount of influence over the couple, and so a woman considering marriage should gauge their attitudes about the activities that she will be allowed to undertake while living in Saudi Arabia.

Similarly, the State Department notes that a newly married couple in Saudi Arabia most often lives with the husband’s parents and extended family inside a family compound. Because women are prohibited from being in the presence of other men, a new bride’s social circle typically consists of her husband’s relatives. For many American women – especially those who don’t speak the language – this can be stifling. It doesn’t help that women in the country aren’t allowed to drive, ride a bike, or take public transportation without being in the company of a relative or her children.

Possibly the most difficult adjustment of American women to Saudi Arabia culture is not being allowed to work outside the home. According to the State Department, there are few job opportunities for women other than teaching other women or the medical profession. However, nursing in Saudi is looked down upon, so women would probably not be allowed to see patients unless she was a doctor.

Not for Everyone

Clearly, the cultural chasm between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia is so vast that it is rarely successfully bridged in marriage. Because the foundations of marriage and of the role of women in Saudi Arabia culture are based on the Quran and on Sharia law, Westerners need more than book notes in order to navigate the society’s cultural waters.

That’s not to say that Saudi women necessarily perceive any oppression. Indeed, the abaya – the black outer garment worn by Saudi women – is embraced as an expression of religious devotion. In Saudi Arabia culture, women’s attire must not be form fitting, must not attract attention, and must not be worn out of vanity. Moreover, although women must cover all but their hands and faces, some choose to (or are told to by their husbands) also wear veils and gloves.

Like a woman’s clothing, a woman’s role in Saudi Arabia culture is largely dictated by the prevailing religious beliefs. Unlike in the West, where a woman’s equal partnership with her husband is at least given lip service, a Saudi marriage is often arranged, with the woman becoming the man’s property after marriage. As such, she must be obedient and submissive; if she is not, her husband may punish her or beat hear. And, although it is less widespread than it once was, men can take more than one wife.

Saudi law generally dictates that a woman is valued as one-half of a man. For example, a woman receives half of the inheritance of her brother, and in court, a woman’s testimony is given half the weight of a man’s. Certain punishments, such as whipping, are dictated by law and through practice, often at the hands of what could be termed “morality police.” In Saudi Arabia culture, morality has many shades of meaning; prostitution, for example, can be a crime of being in the company of a man who is not a woman’s husband or male relative. Typically, a woman faces 90 lashes, although sometimes the punishment doled out is 200 lashes.

When you live in a culture so different from your own, the experience can’t help but open a floodgate of feelings. On the one hand, many of the practices you witness are abhorrent and rock the very foundation of your beliefs; on the other hand, within the context of Saudi Arabia culture and society, they are terribly consistent with Wahhabi beliefs.

The public practice of any religion other than Islam, including Christianity and Judaism, the presence of churches, and possession of non-Islamic religious materials is not allowed except in Aramco compounds in which many expatriates attend church services. Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage is celebrated at the annual Jenadriyah cultural festival. The ancient Arab tradition of hospitality continues unchanged to the present day.

Traditions and craftsmanship : The interlinking spheres of mathematics and astronomy are equally important aspects of the Arabian culture heritage. The word “algebra” is derived from Arabic word “Algebra”. Navigation and cartography were direct developments of these numerate skills. Similar attributes of outstanding craftsmanship are shown in the development of intricate workmanship in precious metals and even in household goods. It was in the settled communities such as Jeddah, Makkah that these skills flourished.

Both town dwellers and bedouins, however, shared one ancient Arab tradition: That of hospitality. Even today, in the home, or on Saudi flight, drinking Arab coffee. The method of preparation is traditional, each step is an almost ritually observed process. The poetic tradition of the bedouin is a further example of complex and beautiful art form. Poetry promulgated the virtues and merits of their tribes such as the obligation to respect social values. Generosity, hospitality and courage were, to them, a matter of honor and failure to adhere to this unwritten code was regarded as a great insult.

Despite the great pace of growth the Kingdom has witnessed over the last two decades, traditional culture and social values have been maintained steadfastly and the rich heritage of the Kingdom protected and enhanced. However, secret negotiations are rumored to be taking place between the Vatican and Saudi Arabia regarding authorization to build Catholic Churches in the Kingdom.  In Saudi Arabia culture, women’s attire must not be form fitting, must not attract attention, and must not be worn out of vanity. Moreover, although women must cover all but their hands and faces, some choose to  also wear veils and gloves.