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Saudi King Cancels Lashes For Female Journalist

By Jeralyn, Section Foreign Affairs
Posted on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 01:31:18 PM EST
Tags: Saudi Arabia, lashes (all tags)
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King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has intervened and canceled the 60 lashes for female journalist Rozanna al-Yami.

She had worked for a network that produced a show called "Red Lines, examining taboos in the Arab world, including extra-marital sex in Saudi Arabia." She wasn't directly involved with the show itself.

The Saudi man who was on the show discussing his adventures was sentenced to 5 years and 1,000 lashes. Three of his friends who appeared with him on the show got two year sentences, and lashes. The cameraman was jailed for two months, but no lashes. LBC, the Lebanon-based Arabic channel which broadcast the show has been shut down.

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    Saudi King Cancels Lashes For Female Journalist | 74 comments (74 topical)

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    Still trying to imagine... (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by kdog on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 01:53:53 PM EST
    what it is like in the mind of a person or persons who thinks talking about sex is obscene, but lashes across the back isn't.

    On second thought is is too scary to even imagine.

    Maybe they need some burkha (none / 0) (#20)
    by jondee on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 03:25:55 PM EST
    wearing dominitrixes over there.

    Madame Fatima's House of Rendition or something.

    Parent

    Power for whom? (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by CST on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 02:21:25 PM EST
    Ironically, I think the Saudi royal family is in general slightly more progressive than the country as a whole.  The local religious leaders are much stricter, and the cultural sentiment as a whole is very conservative.

    At least, that's what I hear from those I consider "in the know" (from the region) about such things, fwiw.

    It's all relative (none / 0) (#39)
    by CST on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 04:39:36 PM EST
    I'm not saying they are progressive by any means.  My point was, the country of Saudi Arabia and it's citizens are more religiously conservative than the royal family.  In ways that have nothing to do with our own national military interests.  You could make the case that as westerners, we have more influence over the actions/opinions of the royal family than the opinions of the Saudi populace.  Not just when it comes to oil, but also when it comes to Human Rights.

    There is a reason this woman was spared.  I seriously doubt it had anything to do with outrage from the Saudi populace.

    Parent

    sure (none / 0) (#83)
    by CST on Tue Oct 27, 2009 at 08:20:16 AM EST
    I meant it the way Nixon was "slightly more progressive" than Cheney.  That is to say, not progressive, just not as conservative as the other.

    Parent
    Could you name your sources? (none / 0) (#40)
    by Inspector Gadget on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 04:39:52 PM EST
    What you say doesn't resemble the Saudi I enjoyed living in for 2 years.

    I believe the US was told to remove its military bases from Saudi after 9/11. So, what are you trying to say about Osama bin Laden being banished for his opposition to the US troops? Work out for us?

    You really confused me with that whole comment.

    Parent

    Many American women love it there (5.00 / 0) (#74)
    by Inspector Gadget on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 09:37:36 PM EST
    and, there are many reasons why. The pace is so unhurried and relaxing. The people are incredibly warm and trusting. They take care of their children and their elderly with love and respect. They have access to the best of everything in the world.

    Because our primary form of entertainment was dining with friends, the food choices were important...produce you'll never find here, spices that are fresh and so full of aroma, incredible fish (mostly caught spearfishing in the Arab Gulf), giant scallops shipped in from Norway, and on and on.

    The women may be wearing black abayah, but they are wearing huge smiles, designer duds from Paris, and more 18k gold jewelry than you can imagine underneath them.

    People shared with each other. The culture really did provide a sense of security because you never saw anything that made you feel at risk.

    So, so, so much more.
       

    Parent

    The food sounds great (none / 0) (#81)
    by otherlisa on Tue Oct 27, 2009 at 02:28:15 AM EST
    but as a woman, I'm sorry, no way. It's one of the few countries on this planet that I don't even want to visit.

    Parent
    King Hypocrisy-ullah of Saudi Arabia (5.00 / 0) (#9)
    by Illiope on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 02:22:25 PM EST
    extra-marital sex in Saudi Arabia: you will be whipped like it is 1529.

    saudi-prince extra-marital sex in america: name your fetish, your pious countrymen will never be the wiser. (wink, wink)

    and the cameraman gets jail time? nice 'justice' system you guys have there.
     

    I sense Hillary's hand in this. (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by Sweet Sue on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 02:57:28 PM EST
     I don't know if she pressured the King but this is the kind of thing that Clinton, as Secretary of State, would know about and pay attention too.
    Oh and Happy Birtday, Madame Secretary.

    In all seriousness (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by shoephone on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 03:42:57 PM EST
    Is it even possible to survive 1,000 lashes? Because it sounds like certain death by torture to me.

    And for what? Talking about sex toys?

    Sheesh.

    they also just issued (none / 0) (#1)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 01:44:14 PM EST
    a rather interesting travel advisory for their citizens traveling abroad. they include:

    • Do not treat your children harshly or kiss them on the mouth in public places in order to avoid having legal action taken against you on grounds of mistreatment.

    • Avoid talking with children or adolescents over the Internet, inviting them to your house alone, or being alone with them.

    • # If a domestic dispute reaches the security authorities, the one who caused it will be punished (imagine that)


    That's rich... (none / 0) (#10)
    by kdog on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 02:28:39 PM EST
    the tyranny all-stars over in Saudi A think we've gone overboard with the sexual predator hysteria..."don't talk to any kids!".

    Parent
    I not clear (none / 0) (#16)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 03:00:59 PM EST
    on why you would invite a child to your house alone.

    Parent
    Not these days... (none / 0) (#19)
    by kdog on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 03:21:02 PM EST
    for the reasons the Saudis are warning their people about...but when I was a kid I used to go door to door asking if anyone had chores that needed doing for extra cash.  And then there is babysitting.

    Different time though...now I go to my niece's soccer games and get the suspicious look from the parents since I don't have a kid on the team. I thought of that when I saw your post about the warning to Saudis in the USA...we're as paranoid about sexual predators as the Saudis are about seeing cleavage.

    Parent

    What century are we in! (none / 0) (#2)
    by mmc9431 on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 01:47:41 PM EST
    When I read stuff like this I have to pinch myself to remember exactly what century I'm living in.

    It's sad to think that their are still so many people in power that use religion as a whip to control the people. Equally sad is that the  people are willing to go along with it.

    I guess there is (none / 0) (#3)
    by Wile ECoyote on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 01:48:43 PM EST
    another way to go after the media.  Obama may take note.

    Parent
    Well, it's their way of life (none / 0) (#11)
    by Inspector Gadget on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 02:31:17 PM EST
    They detest the way we live, too.

    Parent
    When we start chopping heads and hands off (none / 0) (#26)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 04:03:05 PM EST
    stoning females for cheating on their husbands, hanging gays and allow fathers to kill their daughters because she embarrassed him....

    let me know.

    Until then I will think our ways right and their ways are not acceptable.

    Parent

    Since that isn't state (none / 0) (#30)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 04:08:19 PM EST
    sponsored, why do you try and make it equivalent?

    Trying to be disagreeable with me, or western culture in general?

    Parent

    What it is useless... (none / 0) (#43)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 05:01:05 PM EST
    Honor killings are part of a culture that is state sponsored. Go on and give us a laugh by denying that and defending it.

    Parent
    Your defense (none / 0) (#59)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 06:08:47 PM EST
    of honor killings by claiming they are not part of a state sponsored culture is risible.

    See if you can find a few thousand words to fling out and try to cover up your statement.

    And while you may not find a radical Muslim under your bed it is quite possible that there may be one down the street.

    Parent

    So you aren't for them (none / 0) (#64)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 06:43:21 PM EST
    but you aren't against them.....???

    You'll have to answer for your own neighborhood.

    Parent

    Well, I'm gald to know you (none / 0) (#67)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 07:31:58 PM EST
    know the two main branches  of Islam...

    What I really find funny is your attacks on any comment that calls into question the cultural activities of many Muslims.

    Came to bury Caesar, eh?

    Parent

    Well, it is hard to say what you (none / 0) (#77)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 10:10:00 PM EST
    say... first you do, then you don't and then you provide a history lesson excusing such minor cultural activities as stoning females, hanging gays and honor killings..

    Parent
    Try reading the thread (none / 0) (#86)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Oct 27, 2009 at 09:44:40 AM EST
    before making claims.

    Parent
    Dont be a dumbas* (none / 0) (#36)
    by jondee on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 04:24:55 PM EST
    our ways may be "righter", but they're far from right alot of the time.

    What is this, my country right or wrong, again?

    Parent

    That they detest our secular (none / 0) (#60)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 06:15:47 PM EST
    culture, freedom, rights, etc., doesn't mean that their culture is anywhere near the 21st century.

    Why can't you just say they are wrong without having to add that (in too many cases)gays here can't marry but aren't hung.

    Our shortfalls, indeed western civilization's shortfalls, have been working themselves out.

    You cannot say the same for Islam. It has not been reformed.

    Parent

    Oh, good grief! (none / 0) (#38)
    by Inspector Gadget on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 04:33:09 PM EST
    You ever been there?

    As a very independent American woman, I loved every minute of my two years living in Jubail. Our project was mixed housing with the Saudi's occupying as many houses as the ex-pats, so we had to follow the rules. We socialized constantly with the Saudi families. They are happy people.

    If another country were to pick a few really bad episodes in our culture (Manson killings, Nicole Simpson murder, Susan Smith, Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy) and judge us entirely on those events as though it was the heart of who all of us are, we'd look so much worse.

    I enjoyed those two years so much, and found my acceptance of their culture in the genuinely decent people I knew.

    Parent

    Have I ever lived in ex-pat housing (2.00 / 0) (#61)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 06:20:29 PM EST
    in SA? No. Are you claiming this makes you an expert on Islam? On SA?

    That they are happy people may be true. Do you say happiness should be traded for women's rights? Gay's not hung? Thieves not having their hands chopped off? Honor killings tolerated?

    Your attempt at finding the two cultures equal is laughable, to say the very least.

    Parent

    No one claimed equal (5.00 / 0) (#75)
    by Inspector Gadget on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 09:41:18 PM EST
    But, it appears I know a heck of a lot more about their real world than you do.

    You should research more.

    Parent

    One gay hanging (none / 0) (#95)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Oct 27, 2009 at 06:05:47 PM EST
    One stoning

    One honor killing

    is too much for me.

    Parent

    But (5.00 / 0) (#99)
    by NYShooter on Tue Oct 27, 2009 at 08:40:49 PM EST
    2,000,000 fellow citizens living as guests of The State under conditions that would make HE*L seem like the Bellagio is not only condoned by us, but applauded. Each "guest," I'm sure, having had the wherewithal in intellect and funds to fairly argue his case vs. the endless might and wealth of The State, are unquestionably guilty-as-charged.

    For that there can be no doubt. After all, We all are "equal" under the law. We even have a statue at the crossroad of L.I Sound & The Hudson.....in case there was any doubt.

    G*d bless America.  


    Parent

    Your counterpoint... (none / 0) (#44)
    by kdog on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 05:01:36 PM EST
    is appreciated, as always...it should go without saying the vast majority of people are genuinely decent, no matter what f*cked up system you're living in and under...easy to forget the good that goes with the bad when the bad draws all the attention.

    Parent
    Maybe it's just me (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by jondee on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 05:07:37 PM EST
    but Im more than a little mistrustful of the emphasis on the way media reports atrocities in Muslim countries as opposed to the way it gives minimal coverage to the atrocious treatment of people in other "trading partner" countries like India and China.

    Is the treatment of women in Afghanistan and SA worse than the way Untouchable men, women and children treated in India, for instance?

    Or the way citizens in Gaza were recently dealt with?

    There's definatly a propagandistic element to all of this, IMO.

    Parent

    The difference, among other things, (none / 0) (#55)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 05:57:02 PM EST
    is that Islam is an expansionist religion with radicals killing other Islamic sects and attacking the west both physically and culturally.

    Parent
    I was recently in Egypt. (none / 0) (#5)
    by ChiTownDenny on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 01:59:00 PM EST
    I was both unnerved and in awe.  I thought this part of the Muslim world was more "Western-centric".  I was wrong (that's not a judgement).  I found women in burkas and hajibs throughout.  Once again, I'm not judging, but it does make one think about the influence of religion in a state and in a society.  
     

    Yup. (none / 0) (#18)
    by ChiTownDenny on Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 03:14:58 PM EST
    My comment about my experience in Egypt is as much an observation about religion in Muslim countries, as well as in Western countries.  Although I admit to the misconception of believing Egypt was Western-centric.

    Parent
    Lucky Hawaii (