A R C H I V E S
Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Life in Saudi Arabia |
|---|
| Abu_Atheek |
| 03/29/02 at 06:12:44 |
| [slm] An open letter to the crown prince [i]By Nourah Abdul Aziz Al-Khereiji[/i] I am addressing this letter to Your Royal Highness and I am certain you will give it your attention. My certainty isn’t based on the fact that it was you who signed the anti-women discrimination treaty but because of your policy of equal treatment and justice. Moreover, it is the Kingdom’s policy that all people are equal in the eyes of the law as Islam mandates. Unfortunately, I recently had to deal with Saudi Telecom Company (STC). What makes me say “unfortunately” is that my problem with STC wasn’t solved through proper channels but through an influential public figure that I happen to know. I am sure you can imagine, Your Royal Highness, what the situation would be if I had no “wasta”. Since what I experienced could also be experienced by any other Saudi woman, I thought it wise to tell my story and hope that Your Royal Highness can put an end to such once and for all. My story: I bought a new mobile phone and discovered that the old chip did not fit my new phone so I went to the STC office in order to buy a new chip. There I was told by an employee that I should bring my “mahram” (the male relative responsible for me) with me. I presented him the original of my father’s identity card and my own passport as well. He said that these were not sufficient for him to process my application for a new mobile chip. Further — of course — he assured me that he was only following “instructions.” Why Your Royal Highness are women subject to such treatment by STC? Don’t STC officials know that Saudi women are their safest customers? Saudi women cannot leave the country unless they are accompanied by their “mahram” or at least have his written and attested permission. In other words, any bills pertaining to women’s telephone service will be paid sooner or later unlike those of “others” who can leave the Kingdom as and when they wish! And another point, Your Royal Highness: Why are Saudi women treated so unfairly when the briefest glance at STC records will show that the overwhelming majority of those who fail to pay their phone bills are men? I have been told that STC is strict with women because many men subscribe using the names and identities of their female relatives and then do not pay the bills. This is certainly not the fault of the women nor should they be penalized for it. In fact, if women were allowed to conduct their own business with government departments without having to resort to men, the situation would be different. For instance, I am a resident of Madinah and I have my telephone but I am also a regular visitor to Jeddah where I also need a telephone. When I went to the STC office to apply for a telephone, I was told that I had to bring a male guarantor. Why doesn’t the STC recognize my guarantor in Madinah? I am still in the same country. Why are we citizens of the Kingdom treated like expatriates, needing “sponsors” for any service that we may require? STC recently announced new regulations abolishing a guarantor for both citizens and expatriates. This was welcome news — but STC, in fact, made no changes at all as it requires any applicant for its services to furnish a bank guarantee! I do not see any changes, do you, Your Royal Highness? I hope that you will find it possible to direct those who suppress women in the name of the law to establish procedures which deal with both sexes on an equal basis. We trust that you will also consider allowing every Saudi woman to be independent, to conduct her business and control her assets of money and property without having to have a male relative to act on her behalf. We women could then be held responsible for our acts toward ourselves, our society and our country. [i]— noraaalkheriji@hotmail.com[/i] |
Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board |