Women airbrushed out of Saudi catalogue, SO WHAT???

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Whilst there are thousands of people massacred in Syria and in other parts of the world and other important issues that need to be tackled, I find it most shocking that the western media have gone into a frenzy regarding the Saudi Arabian IKEA catalogue. Every year the Swedish based company produces over two million catalogue copies that are distributed world wide. The brand has enjoyed success within the Middle Eastern market with a whopping profit recorded on an annual basis.The controversy arose when it was discovered that the Saudi Arabian catalogue had been digitally manipulated thereby removing females and cups containing wine from the catalogue. Many of my Saudi colleagues do not understand what the big " hallabaloo " is regarding the catalogue. In Saudi Arabia it is very much the norm where you will not find female images splashed across a billboard or newspaper for that matter. The catalogue in my opinion is in line with Saudi tradition and customs. Wine is forbidden in Islam and hence was removed from the catalogue and when anyone thinks of Saudi Arabia the first thought that comes to mind is a veiled woman or a woman in a headscarf. Hence, marketing catalogues that may work and promote a certain lifestyle or image in the west may not necessarily have the same effect in other parts of the world that are deeply rooted in customs and traditions. Branding strategist Peter Shankman reasons that,“when you’re selling globally, you have to be aware of all of the different ways of life around the world. What flies in America might not fly in Saudi Arabia,” Shankman explains. “In America, whether we believe that to be normal or ok or not, is irrelevant to how they’re selling in Saudi Arabia. If you’re selling in a country that has specific rules and specific rights, you need to appeal to those rights.”

Suddenly, I find that every newspaper or media coverage is out there to vilify Islamic norms and traditions. It seems as though the whole world is caving in on Islam. The stark reality though is that the more western media try to slander the religion of Prophet Muhammed (saw), more people have started taking an interest in the religion and many have reverted to Islam. Observing all the news reports regarding the IKEA fiasco on television, I thought to myself, why have they not asked Muslim women who wear the hijaab or the niqaab what they feel about it. Most Saudi women I know are proud of their culture and tradition and they adorn their hijaab and veil because they want to, because it is a part of their traditional values. Whilst the media have been babbling on about the fact that the absence of women in the catalogue symbolizes a lack of women's rights within the Islamic world especially within Saudi Arabia, it is interesting to note that it is Islam and the shariah that uplifted the position of women in society years ago.In Europe until the 19th century, women did not have the right to own their own property. When they were married, either it would transfer to the husband or she would not be able to dispense of it without permission of her husband. In Britain, perhaps the first country to give women some property rights, laws were passed in the 1860's known as "Married Women Property Act." More than 1300 years earlier, that right was clearly established in Islamic law.

I am not going to allow a scantily clad journalist on CNN to tell me what my rights should be as a Muslim woman. It is high time that the west respects Islamic and Middle Eastern culture. They should certainly not be enjoying huge profit margins earned from Muslim Arab wealth if they fail to comply with the traditional and religious sentiments of those nations. Mind you,it is not only Saudi Arabia that utilizes digital manipulation techniques like airbrushing to filter out inappropriate female images that are against cultural and religious norms. Newspapers in Israel that are run by the conservative orthodox Jewish community who follow the teachings of the Torah and not the Talmud also adopt these techniques. Dressing modestly is very much a part of traditional Jewish culture as well. Orthodox Judaism does not allow for interaction between the sexes prior to marriage.Women belonging to an orthodox Jewish community are required to wear close-necked, long sleeve blouses and long skirts. Traditional Jewish women also cover their hair either with a headscarf or a sheitel (a Yiddish word for wig). 

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Hence, the question remains, why isn't the Jewish community or Judaism as a whole vilified by the media? Why isn't women's rights questioned in Judaism? Why is it that at every opportunity the west finds, they choose to bring down Islam, bring down the Prophet Muhammed (saw), question and condemn women's rights in Islam. In my opinion it all boils down to fear.

Ultra-orthodox Jewish women visit the Israel Museum exhibition "A World Apart Next Door" in Jerusalem on June 19 2012. The ethnographic exhibition highlights facets of the culture of the Hasidic Jews. AFP PHOTO/MENAHEM KAHANA

When questioned about the whole Ikea debacle,this is what Eman Al Nafjan, writer and blogger who tweets as Saudiwoman had to say,"We're beyond that right now in Saudi Arabia," she told CNN. "With Internet and satellite TV, there's really no such thing anymore as blacking out women or airbrushing out women. I would be upset if something like Google was doing it, but for IKEA to do it, that's just marketing -- it's not such a big deal."

His Cruising Experience - Part 2

The Celebrity Equinox Cruise liner -I was blown away by the magnitude and enormity of the ship.

The Celebrity Equinox docked at Pireaus in Athens

The Silhouette Dining area where we had our evening formal meals- two seatings each evening- 6.15 and 9 pm.

The library which can be viewed from the glass lifts 

The water fountains dance around one of the pool areas on Deck 12

The grassed areas on Deck 15- bowls (Bocca), chipping etc with the glass blowing section in the background. Demonstrations given there which last about 3 hours of amazing glass blowing with firing of the final pieces into stunning vases, candle holders, ornaments etc- lessons given too.

The Health Studios and the fully equipped gym are popular places for the passengers. Keeping fit and getting pampered on board full hair studios, spa, saunas, steam baths, acupuncture specialist etc

The Equinox Theatre -two show times each evening and different shows ranging from comedy, musicals, full orchestra, circus style, magicians - as well as the venue to meet before going on shore excursions

The buffet area- always a hive of activity with food available at most hours!

Sun worshippers love to just laze around the many pool areas. Games and groups singing also going on at certain times of the day.

Bubbling jacuzzis alongside the main pool areas always a place where couples or groups find themselves during the cruise.

The man behind the "REAL TALK BLOG"

From quirky comments to describing strange and hilarious day to day scenarios, to tackling hard hitting employment, law, job market, passport and other issues, Desert Moon brings to you the man behind the "REAL TALK BLOG". This blog is definitely  one of my favourite blogs within the Saudi blogosphere. I am always taken aback by the wisdom and message that each article conveys to the reader. Such wisdom and depth can only be generated from an individual who has a pure heart with noble intentions. Read on to find out more about the blog in his own words.

Nationality:

Citizen of Earth

Education background:

Bachelors in Business, a waste of time!

Drink I always order at a coffee shop:

Coffee

Pet Peeve:

Nails on blackboard

1. Firstly, thank you very much for agreeing to be interviewed despite your very hectic lifestyle.So tell me, who is the man behind the 'Real Talk Blog'? Tell me a little bit about your background. Where were you born? Basically a brief synopsis of your  life from childhood up until university.

I was born in Karachi in Oct of 69. I was raised in Riyadh because my father came here 4 years before I was born. I am from the  Hashemite lineage , 40th generation direct decendent of Ali ibn Abi Talib.

My whole life, from early childhood has been spent in understanding the word of God and I feel I will be complete the day I know myself totally. All other aspects of my life revolve around this goal. I own my business so that I burden no one with my views and can exercise my policy, my way. Thus, I have never  worked for anyone. I went to Manarat Al Riyadh school here and graduated from Cyprus College.

2. Why did you decide to start writing a blog? How did it come about?

I have been writing for as far as I can remember. Expression of thought is growth of mind and thus the development of man. I write my blog to gain knowledge and share views. Human interaction can unite people and through each other we learn.

3. How many hours a week do you spend blogging?

No timing. I write anytime and as a thought insists on being expressed through words:)

4. Has the Saudi government ever clamped down on some of the sensitive issues you have written about?

Never. I don't write about sensitive issues because I don't know what sensitive issues are. I have a policy to deter any attack on any government or national security.

5. What do you think is the secret to success? Define success. What does success mean to you?

Honesty and Courage. Success means being granted Jannah on the Last day. Because success should be final and eternal otherwise it is not success, just a temporary condition.

6. Have you ever lost friends or have you ever been threatened due to a viewpoint you expressed on your blog?

No. Never.

7. In your opinion, what are the positives or negatives of blogging?

Adds to information available. Negatives can range from hurting oneself to causing chaos depending on popularity.

8. What topics and subjects are you the most passionate about?

People and all that concerns them.

9. If someone could grant you one wish and you could choose to have one skill or talent in the world, what would it be?

To be able to unite all humans and achieve world peace.

10. What are your favourite websites?

www.booking.com looool

11. Where do you draw your inspiration from? Who or what inspires you to write?

My heart which is inspired by Quran.

12. Do you consider yourself to be a spiritual person? What are your thoughts on religion and faith?

Faith and religion is the essence of all life. We are born to understand our existence through worship of our creator.

13. Some time back, an article I read mentioned that  the Saudi government wanted all blogs to be registered and licensed. What are your thoughts on this?

No problems with that as there are many anti Islam and anti Ksa bloggers on Earth.

14. Should bloggers within the Kingdom be allowed total freedom of expression or do you think the government has a right to arrest and clamp down on bloggers whose opinions are incongruent to government policy?

Freedom of speech should not cross the limit and become abuse.  If you do not agree with KSA policies, leave. Every country has a right to decide what to allow and what not. If you write a blog praising saddam hussain, osama and hitler in the west, you Would get areested!

15. What advise would you give to people out there who are thinking about starting up their own blog?

Go right ahead folks. Write what you feel. A blog is about you, not others.

16. What makes a blog successful? What are some of the qualities or features that a blog requires in order for it to become successful?

Sincerity, originality.

17. Are there any other internet websites or publications that you write for?

Saudi life, Riyadh Connect, Chowk

18. Can you provide the readers with a few blogging tips?

If you are not good at expressing yourself through writing, find the medium that does justice to your heart and express through it. Never do what others do.

19. Are there any additional comments you'd like to add for the blog readers?

I love all of you and am grateful you read my blogs. God bless you all.

Once again, thank you very much Sir, for taking the time to answer these questions. Desert Moon wishes you the very best in your career and beyond!!!! I strongly recommend all my fans, friends and family to please visit  the "REAL TALK BLOG". Kindly provide me with feedback and your thoughts regarding the blog.

His Cruising Experience - Part 1

I received this email in the early hours of the morning a few days ago from Mr. Devdas Govindjee who is an international cricket match referee. Follow this link to read my exclusive interview with this humble, vivacious and goodhearted soul. Mr. Govindjee accompanied his wife Urmila, on a recent ten day exotic trip aboard the super luxury Celebrity Equinox cruise liner.I made mention to him during one of our online conversations some time back that I am not the type of person who likes traveling by sea. Whilst I do enjoy swimming in a pool, I am terrified of the vast ocean. I must admit though that after reading his email, I thought to my self, " WOWWWW....what a well written email and what an amazing experience. I need to experience this as well." After seeking permission from Mr. Govindjee, I decided to share this email with all my blog readers. I am sure that you will equally enjoy reading his travel experience as much as I have. I would also like to take this opportunity in thanking Mr. Govindjee for sharing his sentimental and priceless pictures with all my blog readers.

The Eastern Mediterranean Sea is dotted with so many incredibly beautiful Islands and the 10 day cruise aboard the majestic Celebrity Equinox gave me the opportunity to have a taste of splendid scenery steeped in rich history and also to gaze in wonder at geographical phenomena which has resulted in some of these places coming into being.

On the 14th we landed in Rome and made our way courtesy of the Celebrity Equinox staff at the airport directly to the port at Civitavecchia which is about over an hour away from the Leonardo da Vinci airport.

During the 10 ensuing days the cruise liner called on the Sicily( Italy), Athens (Greece), Kusadasi (Turkey), Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini (Greece) and finally to Naples in Italy before returning to Rome on the 24th.

To try to convey the spirit and splendour of the places visited in this mail would probably require descriptive skills that I doubt I possess but safe to say that sailing the calm blue eastern Mediterranean is a most soul uplifting experience and each of the ports of call and places visited confirmed my initial impressions that the postcards and travel brochures were certainly in no way exaggerations!

I shall not even attempt to go into too much detail but let me just say that the liner itself had 3000 passangers with a staff of close onto 2000 and that in itself was a daily lesson in what we tend to refer to as "a well oiled machine!"- the staff and the levels of service and devotion to duty in the middle of seemingly nowhere is a lesson of how a business ought to be run- provide a servie to clients and make sure you carry out your specific task- no matter how menial it might be as it all adds up to a complete ultimate experience in the end.

The ship has every imaginable luxury to keep the most discerning passenger satisfied -from a magnificent Equinox theatere that put on high class shows of different varieties twice each evening- gropus of musicians and singers, instrumentalists in diff parts of the ship providing entetnainment, shopping areas of note, a casino, lawn areas on the upper decks,a jogging track, 3 swimming pools and numerous jacuzzis, outstanding Health and Beauty Spa facilities, fully fitted gym with trainers, library, card rooms, internet areas, specialised restaurants for those not wanting to daily eat in the huge buffet areas where food was avialable at most hours, etc etc

Shore excursions are optional when at a port and these are well organised and one chooses a tour from a variety of options- most of the time i chose the 4-5 hour tours with walking and visits to historical sights preferable. Everynoe merely met at the theatre and got numbers to move down to the shore and board the waiting bus to take you to your place of interest and the local tour guide was on hand to control the days activity. Much time was always allowed for one to wander around to get a personal feel of the place before meeting again at the bus at an appointed time.

There were 2 formal evenings of dining when the captain joined in at one of the two sittings for supper- on these evenings everyone dressed up and made a special night of it and naturally filter away to whichever entertainment option appealed to them. 

There were two days of the 10 when pure sailing was done with no stopping and these days gave passangers an opportunity to laze around the pool or do shopping or whatever they felt like- it is actually amazing that after ten days you probably still did not get to see a certain part of the ship and one at times never sees the same person twice during the entire cruise.

Of the places visited I loved Santorini with the cable car ride into the top section of the island which provided breathtaking views of the many huge liners docked out in the nearby areas- they cannot dock at the Island so little tender boats ferry the passengers onto the Island - we were bold  enough to actually decide to walk down a circuitous route back and competed with tourists on donkeys making their way up or down ( an option I decided not to use!) - the walk was almost 1 hour and one had to be careful as it was over cobbled areas and naturally the donkey debris had to be circumvented!

The visit to the Acropolis and to be there and look at the Parthenon was quite special- as one who lectured History these places only featured in a syllabus and the true immensity of the period comes home only when witnessed personally - the same can be said with the visit to Ephesus in Kusadasi in turkey and then the ruins of Pompeii in Naples!

The blue domes and white structures on the Islands of Mykonos and Santorini leave indelible impressions and the narrow alleys of shopping splendour in places such as Taormina in Sicily become just as unforgettable.

Whilst the economic woes of the World is a cause for concern and the people at our ports of call are not oblivious to the hard times that could be around every corner- they rely on tourists and in some cases a not too long tourist season- efforts are doubled to secure a living and my mind now goes back to my chats with some of the staff on board the liner- young girls from Rumania or Serbia at the serving points or clearing the tables all the time and cabin attendants from Sri Lanka the West Indies and Malaysia- singers from Sweden and the USA, and croupiers in the Casino from SA! All work long hours with a few half days off per week! some told me that they would be back home at the end of the cruise to spend 6 weeks with family before being sent to a new liner for the next assignment!

A guest relations lady on the liner from Germany spoke 6 languages and completed her tourism degree and she spent one of her half days off by coming into Naples and doing the same excursion to Pompeii as us.  

Hopefully my facebook pics will bring some of these images to life and the big problem is to decide which of the over 600 pics I should use!

Now it is back to home soil and no rest as I prepare to leave for Namibia on Tues- better get this mind into cricket mode quickly.

Trust that this at least provided a small idea of a special 10 days that I have been blessed to experience- 

Do hope that you have been well and look forward to getting some news and views in return.

dev

Mykonos- picturesque white painted villages, hundreds of little churches, windmills and golden sandy beaches of the Cyclades. 

From Santorini the magniificence of the Celebrity Equinox is clearly seen. A 600 plus climb down from Fira connects to the landing area of Skala.

six cable cars going up crossed at this precise point by six going down - Fira to the Skala. Taken as we climbed slowly down to the bottom -took the cable car up to Fira.

Santorini- just too beautiful and romantic an Island. Spectacular views all round.

No wonder it is considered to be one of the most beautiful of all the Greek Islands- with views such as this! Two major cruiseliners and other vessels made for this stunning postcard shot! — at Santorini.

Through the Straits of Messina in Sicily as the Celebrity Equinox docks at our 1st port of call out of Rome.Sun 15 Sept 2012

Sicily is the largest of the Mediterranean Islands about 320 kms long and 210 kms wide situated off the toe of the Italian "boot" and separated from the mainland by the Strait of Messina. The active Mt Etna forms the highest point of Sicily.

About 50 kms from Messina is the beautiful little town of Taormina perched on high cliffs between Catatania and Messina. It has a medieval atmosphere despite it's Greek and Roman past.

Through cobblestone streets one gets to the Greek Theatre- Wonderful sights from here of the surrounds .Taormina village is full of medieval charm and character.

Views of the surrounding areas in Taormina. Next stop after a day at sea will be Athens in Greece.

From the Acropolis- Athens- a city steeped in History- during the golden ages of Greek culture names such as Aeschylus,Sophocles, Euripides as well as Aristophanes, Socrates and Plato influenced the Western World not to mention Herodotus and Hippocrates in other spheres.

One oif the great wonders of thw world, the Acropolis actually consists of four ancient buildings- the Parthenon, Temple of Athena, Nike and the Erechtheion & the Propylaea. Built during the 5th century BC

Just below the Acropolis Hill is located the Dionysos and the Odeon Theatres. Amphitheatres reconstructed and hosts Athens Festival performances in Summer

The Turkish flag flutters as the Celebrity Equinox sails into harbour at Kusadasi. Note the buses waiting to take the tourists from different cruise liners to the resepctive shore excursions.

Ephesus is the showpiece of Agegean archaeology. The ruins seen are that of the city established by one of the generals ofd Alexander the Great -Lyssimachos.

Ephesus. Kusadasi Turkey

As the cruise liner docks- the first sight of the medieval walled city of Rhodes.

Rhodes is the 4th largest of the Greek Isles. The Knights of the Order of St John of Jerusalem fortified the city protecting it for Turkish invaders.

Rhodes offers much along it's cobbled stoned pathways for tourists- there are network of pedestrian streets and ancient alleyweays and is home to souvenir shops, gold smiths and small cafes.

The Mosque of Suleyman is an early 19th century structure that stands on the site of the original mosque built in 1522. Non of the mosques on the island are now in use and are closed to the public

time for a breather after visiting the hospital of the Knights, the Palace of the Knights of St john, & The Byzantine, the Temple of Aphrodite

From the harbour a view of the city of Naples which is the capital of the Campania Region. A 2800 year old rich history.

Buried by the volcanic eruptions of 79AD - the ruins of Pompeii give a fascinating insight into the advanced mode of living and trading during that era.

Mount Vesuvius, an active Volcano is seen in the background in the this pic from Pompeii

The ruins of Pompeii.

A street sign in Pompeii- well not much has changed- no neon lights or red lights flashing- just a simple symbol carved into the building- can you see it?

The vast and impressive Pompeii.