The Unanswerable Question

Submitted by Rebecca Moulds (United States), Aug 21, 2007 at 15:12

Daniel Pipes asks: "Who will take the lead to confront Saudi discrimination, arrogance, and repression?"

And I also ask, who will take the lead? Who is brave enough to stand up to a repressive government , face possible imprisonment, and demand changes?

Most expatriates in the Middle East have known for years that any symbols of Christianity, such as a Bible or crucifix, and also anything that looks Jewish (Star of David) are forbidden in Saudi Arabia. Many, however, have taken them in and have never been found out, but woe to those who have had their precious items taken from them so unfairly.

While living in Egypt, I was accustomed to carrying my Bible in public, even on the streets of Ma'adi, with not so much as a comment or threat. There are numerous churches, cathedrals, and even the occasional synagogue (although the latter has been derelict for some years), and although proselytizing is forbidden, a person can worship as they choose. Many Copts wear crucifixes openly, the bigger the better, because they are in such a minority in Egypt and believe that they are persecuted. Nevertheless, in such a country where Islam is the ruling religion, there is still freedom of choice, which doesn't exist in Saudi Arabia. I gather that the problem in Saudi Arabia is Wahhabism, and the utter control it has over it's people.

It's about time that the free world shakes off its shackles of indifference and stands up to the bullies who impose these stupid and fearful laws, for is it not fear that bullies use to twist their victims into submission? Daniel Pipes' idea of banning Saudia from flying into our country and others who do not impose the laws that Saudi Arabia does, is a good idea, but one that will be difficult to implement, unless, of course, there is another wave of terrorism directly related to Saudi Arabia, in which case, I'm sure the world will react as one. Until then, I'm afraid that a general apathy has pervaded free societies, a frightening reality of our present time.

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