A Woman’s Life in Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a Middle Eastern country that holds a large portion of the world’s oil reserves. It is the birthplace of Islam that contains the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. The country is ruled by a king, and the laws of the nation are set by the holy book of Islam, the Quran. Saudi Arabia is an ally of the United States, and was a host country to US troops during and after the First Gulf War. It is a dry country, meaning no alcohol is allowed in the country, and harsh penalties come to those who smuggle alcohol or drugs in (CIA). Although all this is true about Saudi Arabia, a definition of the country alone is not appropriate to learn about it. To do that, one must study the people and the choices that they can make in their lifetime. The people in Saudi Arabia have many options in life, though some are limited to men of a high social class. The country has become a battleground for women’s rights and government reform. Society has begun to change as the globalization of society increases through international relations and internet contact. These changes face resistance by the government and the societal norms set by the Muslim religion, which requires modesty for women. The modesty, by Western standards, is an extreme control over women and the lives that they may be allowed to lead. Many changes are opposed by the Muslim clerics, read more............