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Subscribe to RSSA Saudi Arabian woman died and dozens more were injured after a protest at a university was stormed by stick-wielding police, London's Times newspaper reported on Friday.
Human Rights Watch's Christoph Wilcke told msnbc.com from Germany that he had read in Arabic-language news reports that hundreds of female students from the Arabic literature and education departments of King Khaled University in the southwest of the country were angry at "harsh" treatment by their supervisors and the fact that trash in their departments was not picked up for three days.
Some reports put the number of protesters at 5,000, said Wilcke, a senior researcher at the organization's Middle East and North Africa division for Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
One protester died in the hospital of an epileptic seizure and another miscarried her unborn child after the demonstration was broken up, the newspaper reported. (The Times operates behind a pay wall).
Malaysia deports Saudi accused of prophet insult
Videos that Wilcke had seen showed "women shouting, being agitated ... (but) entirely peaceful," he said.
Wilcke estimated that between 50 and 100 members of the religious police were called to the university along with regular police, based on the reports he had seen. Protesters threw shoes as police arrived, the Times reported.
The university promised to investigate the incident, the Times reported.
'Caught up with the world'
While seen by some as a champion of women's rights in the deeply conservative country, Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah "has not made good on any big hopes concretely" since he came to power in 2005," Wilcke said.
Nevertheless, the demonstration and the fact that it was being reported highlighted the "general evolution of Arab society," Wilcke said. A recent protest at a women's prison went virtually unreported, he said.
Amnesty calls Saudi beheading for sorcery 'shocking'
"Here something happened and we heard about it," he said. Wilcke added that it was also significant because of the size and the fact that the women demonstrated openly.
"They stood in the blazing sun and decided to chant for a while," he said. "It means that the Saudis have caught up with the world, they are more aware of their rights … (but it) doesn't mean that the government has shifted gear."
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Just wait, Obammy will praise this as Arab Spring and Idiot Clapper will proclaim they are a non violent sort. LOL.
No. This is Obama's worst nightmare...the truth coming out about how regressive and oppressive this kingdom is (imagine still run by a king as a family business). And this is our principle ally in the region. Every American should wake up and realize what our addiction to oil really is...a dark, creepy ooze invading the bloodstream flowing into our moral fiber. I'm sure Obama cringes when he has to bow down and kiss the ring of this despot in the middle east. That is the moment he hates being president the most...his ears are filled with his ancestors scream of agony! The guffaws of the bigots in our country pale in comparison to that cacaphony.
You should get with KB below and both toss your yokes of oppression - just don't let 'em smear all over the sidewalk because they get all smelly in the heat.
@ron
Wow, really? I guess we did not know this was how it was for like the last THOUSAND YEARS IN Saudi??!!
If this were a story about bunny rabbits you guys would somehow equate it to Obama and the race for president.lol
Last time I checked, he's President of the United States, not Saudi Arabia.
Sunni Saudi rulers are one of the worst in the world.
For oil and the monies they throw around, many are still supporting them blindly.
Every such despotic, corrupt and barbaric rule under any guise (religion, ideology and more) are not going to last long especially in ICT age.
What nonsense. The religious police is exactly what the Dixiecrat Republican evangelicals want for America.
VACYMRO
Hit that one right on the head. We have our own brand of Amerikan Taliban
Rick Santorum is probably creaming his jeans with envy. This is exactly what he wants for America. Women powerless, barefoot and pregnant and "religious police" to keep it that way.
Both the Republicans and Democrats have cozied up with the Saudis while at the same time attempting to have other Arab countries go Democratic.' Hypocrisy of America. we don't really care if a country is Democratic, only that its leaders support US positions. Unfortunately seems like the Democratic ones are less likely until the US buys off the leaders. Democracy, an opportunity for corruption at its finest.
With all of its abundant oil wells, reserves and riches, Saudi Arabia remains one of the world's most medieval "kingdoms." It is still illegal for women to drive in Saudi Arabia. This backwards country is an iconic symbol of "the old world." Yet, this fiefdom perches itself among Western countries as if it is truly a modern marvel. A person is just left shaking his or her head...
Yes, Bluelake, I agree with you.
Santorum is probably green with envy.
He just cannot wait to impose such restrictions on American women.
If Santorum can round up enough narrow-minded men and self-hating women...he might just achieve his goal.
Wow Mike. You and your fellow ilk seem to eat, sleep and @!$%# obama 24/7. You guys seem to have been brainwashed into believing that the worlds problems began 3 1/2 years ago. Seen a psychiatrist yet?
and what he says makes absolutely no sense but to himself
The problems started long before that. The problem is he has done nothing to try and fix them. He is to worried about bringing people from other places to basketball games. At taxpayer expense I might add.
Can anyone deny recent history?
George Bush, Sr and Jr dancing to the tunes set by the Saudis, oil companies and lobbyists started 1991 and 2003 Iraqi wars. Israel did play its part.
With forces engaged in one of the toughest battle zones in the world, Afghanistan, only Bush, Jr could start 2003 Iraqi war.
Even now maximum scare and war mongering on Iran and Syria are by Republicans and some more well known special interest groups!
Where does Obama come in the picture, who has been President for hardly three and half years?
Having lived in Saudi Arabia and endured their degrading treatment of women as second-class citizens, I applaud these brave demonstrators.
In order to make positive changes in the world women everywhere must fight to throw off the yoke of oppression. We may be the weaker sex physically, but we are the equal or better of men in intelligence and conscience.
This will be a better world for everyone when women are treated as the equals of men.
Change will only happen with sacrifice. We must be willing to endure in order to prevail.
Right here in the U.S.A. where we are supposedly more enlightened than the Saudis, the recently enacted Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act which guarantees equal pay for women was opposed by 98% of Republicans in both the House and Senate.
Ladies, let's send Republicans an emphatic message in return on November 6.
OBAMA/BIDEN 2012
You really don't know anything about the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. It only affected the statute of limitations for making a claim. Republicans never opposed the idea that women should recieve equal pay for doing the same job. They opposed it due to the possibility of frivolous lawsuits over other job factors.
So you claim, Gloryhound...so you claim.
1. Most followers of Islam, especially Sunnis, have world patents on oppression/abuse of women, abuse/genocide of minorities, most degenerating and highly immoral societies and nations, denying freedom of religions and individual rights.
2. Many followers of other religions (non-Islamic) follow similar trends. Many politicians (Republican in the US in particular) in democractic nations use the religious facades to different degrees the above Islamic traits. Christian, Jewish, Hindu and so on right wingers are some examples.
3. We should keep religion and their preachers in their place. If they preach nonsense, just dump them to garbage dumps for better world. Let them jump and dance with their religious opium.
Kay,
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-111s181enr/pdf/BILLS-111s181enr.pdf
Section 2 clearly states the purpose of Lilly Lead Better act was targeting Statute of limitations ruling made by the Supreme court and thus preclude that decision from consideration of future wage discriminatioin cases.
Section 3, 4, and 5 goes through to describe changes to existing Acts (like the Civil Rights Act of 1964) that clearly defines prior to this act and now that wage discrimination was illegal.
So no, I don't say! I simply stated the facts.
One will fall, then many will follow......then soon China and Russia will ask the U.N. to intervene in the bloodshed in Saudi Arabia, but the U.S. will vetoe the motion.
The mid east as a whole can not get past the "double standard" toward their women as we have evolved away from it here in America. Women are a great resource, and have overcome the doublestandard here in America.
Not saying it still does not happen here, just that it is a small percentage compared to yesteryear.
You must empower your women not hold them down. Treating your spouse as an equal will enrich your home. Treating women as equals in politics and business will enrich your country.
This(equal rights for women) I believe is one of the biggest obstacles to the ME in realizing "rule of law" in their countries.
Oh and it really helps if you do not beat them also.
"Women are a great resource, and have overcome the double standard here in America."
Overcome the double standard? Really? Could have fooled me.
That cracked me up.
I'll say, since you wouldn't even be here if it weren't for a woman.
CORAL TAXIE
You are on to something here !!!
Women are good at many things and can do them as well as any man. Some are good at business matters, others at accounting , Lawyers, doctors and the list goes on. Who maned the assembly lines , welded , tested new air craft when the men went off to war during WW 11 ??????????? Women just like men need an education and chance to prove them selves. The middle east would be a better place if women were educated and allowed to participate in all forms .
bob
NFIL;
Well I would not want to do that. Women are sherrifs,fire chiefs,governors, CEOs, most of the time voted in by a mostly or all male board,or council. There are bills in place to allow women into more direct combat situations. Women are on the verge of becoming leader of the free world,here in America.
We as men do not expect you to be barefoot and pregnant, thinking you can not carry the family as well as the male can anymore. Women are quickly overcoming men in college degrees, and other areas where having a woman in that position used to be "taboo" or unheard of for lack of a better term, mis now common.
Women are leading America like never before. The revolution worked. The double standard is shrinking here in America. Just as I said women are overcoming the doublestandard and men are acccepting women as equals,or above them with no prejudice.
Of course as I said, the double standard is surely not extinct in America,but women have overcome, just look around you.
Carrolanne1,
I would like to point out that it takes a man, too. Not that I'm knocking women! ; )
MSG...to be entirely accurate it doesn't take the whole man, just his sperm.
No one has yet developed an artificial womb though.
Heck, we could freeze enough sperm to populate the world for the next millenium and make all men slaves to women. LOL Just a thought... :)
Perhaps that reality frightens men and fuels misogyny? (Don't worry guys, we'd never want to hurt you. Much. )
Kaybee,
True, but then who would start the wars to keep the population down, and invent ridiculous religions to keep them in power. And can you imagine female only football!! ; )
I vaguely remember a movie once where men were kept in cages and such, strictly for the purpose of procreation. Sounds like the good life to me!!
Well... technically, yes.
At least it's a lot more fun that way. ;)
although some of the comments here are pretty funny I do feel men are afraid of women and that is why women are treated as second class citizens . without women men would not last another couple of generations . women on the other hand could.... all because of artifical insemination. I dont understand why some men hate women so much .we are inteligent , we multi task better. we can raise a family , work and have a social life and many do it alone. most Men do not take responsiblity . they dont want commitment. many never grow up. untill there is true equality among women and men there will be choas . we need a balence . but how can it happen when there are religions and republicans against us. women do have it better here then in the ME but not by much .
I think that used to be true, but not so much now.
Men used to be intimidated by women because women were powerful in a way men never could be. But women have given up all their real power in return for delusive male power.
Now days, most women don't even know they once had real power. They don't even know there was such a thing.
The Saudi despots are the devil spreading hatred and ignorance around the world - most sept 11 th terrorist were saudis and the country does not even allow women to drive YET we are led to believe that these people, these drunken whoremongers (which is what they are when they come to the west, these "pious" men) are for DEMOCRACY in Syria! OH PLEASE!
We need those police to come over here and deal with the "Occupy" protesters. I want front row seats!
A Somalian friend of mine from graduate school who was a Moslem and kept it to himself went to Saudi Arabia to work for Aramco for 2 years. When he came back to the States he kissed the 'ground of the USA' when I picked him up at the airport. He believed that the Saudis were not following the Koran at all and told people that he was a Christian so that he would be left alone. He believed that his communication of one-on-one with God should not be interfered which was happening in Saudi Arabia.
In our travels when we were in Italy my wife could not rent a car until I came and signed the papers; on the other hand, in Turkey traveling all over she had no problem renting cars without my presence as long as she had her credit card ready.
Men are equal to women and vice versa; we have to be adamant in fighting for this equality no matter where it may raise its head regardless of religion or politics.
In proper index of civilization is the degree of empowerment of women. By that standard, the Saudi leadership are a bunch of primitive barbarians. But since they provide the US with oil and covertly support Israel, the US, including Hillary Clinton, kowtows to them and ignores their deplorable and inhumane repression of women.
Which is why we should get over our addiction to oil...
Saudi security forces attacked the female protestors- mainly female students in the southwestern city of Abha in the King Khalid University protesting against injustice and inequality, expressing their anger about discrimination and mistreatment by security official at the K.K.Univ. in Abha- lack of facilities-some very basic- like CHAIRS. Obama adm. is sweeping undere the rugs all this- and not a peep from STate/HRC- although she has a very loud voice in demanding that China tell US everything in their defense budget- what about asking her counterpart al-Turki about the mistreatment and death of Saudis (especially Shi'a and females). John Brennan was an envoy in Saudi Arabia- the Clintons got monies for their 'library et al projects'- the current ins are expecting barshiba in return for favors -like the most modern fighter jets sold to Saudi Arabia- whitewashing/impeding/granting favors etc. for future 'enrichment projects'. A shame,a travesty of justice.
Be very careful what you wish for, Glock.
I'd suggest you move to Saudi Arabia if you like their style of law enforcement, but they wouldn't grant you a visa.
Too bad for the rest of us.
kaybeetoys, How do you get internet in your occupy tent? Oh, sucking off wi-fi from local business. Stop looking for handouts and actually earn something. Me go to Saudi? No, I'm too busy toting my guns and thumping my bible here in the good old U.S.A. I'm "entitled" to do so.
When you know the first thing about where I live and what I do for a living, then you can make your judgments about me, glock. Until then, save it.
You do seem to have some serious entitlement issues.
kaybeetoys Hmmm, I'll take a shot at this. You hang out at toy stores waiting for handouts?
I want to congratulate the women of Saudi Arabia, with one of the worst status of women in the world (for a so-called Developed Nation), for showing more courage than the morons commenting and criticizing Obama on this webpage. What does Obama have to do with internal affairs in Saudi Arabia...though the US government and oil industires have been a bit too congenial towards the Saudi government? I will admit that!
The Saudi women, who are no shrinking violets when you get them away from their oppressive regime, should also flush out the hypocrisy of some of their royal men. Many of them visit prostitutues in other countries, they have copious numbers of mistresses (and not just wives) and many of them are closeted gays. Time to flush it all out! These men, while enjoying lot of power, privilege and authority without scrutiny and accountability, preach religion and practice autocratic authority over their women. Time for women to stand up, speak out and tell their royal male pains to get off and get lost.
More power to them!
And yet, we will support this government which finances terrorists. Remember, the terrorists on 9/11 were Saudis. And so, we should invade ---IRAQ! OF COURSE! Genius class thinking there! And not to put it all on Bush, our apologist in chief puts on pretty purple lipstick so that he leaves his mark and can identify which rear he has kissed. Best answer would be to cut off all support and purchases from this cave man government, let them swim in their oil.
Islam kills
and slowly piece by piece Islamic style!
Sonar Guy,
Just my opinion
I would like to point out that the Christian religion espouses the belief that "God" destroyed the world with flood, blasted away Sodom and Gamora (sp) for the crimes of a few, and is willing to send you to hell for ETERNITY for a personal slight.
"His love for you is as full as the heavens" or something thereabouts. My love for my children and grandchildren is, supposedly, not even a fraction of his love for me. Yet, no matter how badly they mis-behaved, I would never consider punishing any of them for "all of eternity". Even the most vile criminals of history (i.e. Hitler, Gasey, etc) wouldn't deserve more than complete erasure from everything, rather than eternal damnation. Even telling the grandkids "no" when they ask for a toy or some candy is a hard thing for me to do. "Gods" punishment for us reminds me of the bully that beats a puppy to death because it peed on the floor.
Seems that the Christian god, along with Mohammed, Allah, Zeus, etc, could use a few lessons in love and forgiveness. Of all of the mumbo jumbo I have heard around the world about different religions, none of them has struck me as being anything more than a savage's attempt to circumvent death and appease their fear of the dark.
However, if you believe and follow the charitable dictates of Christianity, you will be a better person than those who follow the dictates of Mohammed. Abusing women, beheading for minor infractions, stoning women who have become pregnant because another man RAPED THEM. This is the belief of an animal who is trying to protect his own territory and to hell with anyone who gets in his way, including his own female relatives. This does not rate as a religion. It's devil worship at best, and criminal activity for sure.
When all that oil has been sucked out of the ground beneath their feet, the Saudis will revert to living in tents and subsisting on dates and camel's milk.
"Wilcke estimated that between 50 and 100 members of the religious police were called to the university along with regular police"
These very police and the Saudi army, experts in suppressing women, minorities including Shiites and looking the other way when their bosses loot the average Saudis, could not dislodge 500 Shiites rebels in their Mecca/Median two decades back.
To guard their highly despotic, corrupt, feudal and most bigoted Sunni Saudi rulers and their battalions of princes, princesses and their harems, US soldiers without Bibles had to be stationed there!
What a brave people and what a strange world!
No, you're not overreacting or anything, ladies. Not at all.
The headline should mention the woman died of an epileptic seizure. Of course, hospitals in Saudi Arabia are not like the ones here, since their king comes to the US for medical care fairly often. Maybe the Saud family should put more money into their own infrastructure and spend less on yachts, planes, mansions and funny clothes. Just because a country has money doesn't mean it's a good place to get sick.
"Religious police." Satan's Laughing AT You followers of islam, Not With You! Wake-Up!
Ron...
"That is the moment he hates being president the most...his ears are filled with his ancestors scream of agony!"
I think you mean his predecessors as president..not his ancestors as in family or cultural history..lol..thumbs down for that but thumbs up on the rest!!
These woman are sooooo much braver than the men in their countries. I stand behind them and am prepared to stand with the women in this country to protest Republican 'Christian Brotherhood' treatment of women in government and in media, those who call for violence against women, like Rush to Judgement and Bill O'Reilly, those who wave ancient texts and say 'God' is male and 'he' made you inferior and therefore, you are property and not equal in any way. Enough is enough!!! Stand!
We just have celebrated the International Women's Day. God is Spirit (John 4:24). And God is love (1 John 4:16).
God would not and will not and does not treat anyone inferior for people are made from His image (Genesis 1:26).
God bless.
Little wonder the Saudi king has been holding forth on the right of the Syrian rebels for self-defense.The Saudi situation proves the shallowness of the Arab Spring.It has left most of the autocratic Arab world intact.Libya was " liberated " mostly by the NATO airstrikes.Egypt is now ruled by the Muslim Brotherhood under the regency of the military.Then, which Arab country has been swept into democracy ? NONE.The dictatorship of Tunisia has been replaced by the regime of a Islamist demagogue.
I wonder if anyone in Saudi Arabia cared that a woman died? Sad...sad.
TO THE PEPLE CALLING THEMSELVES "Muslim American"
Please remember that America is a Country BUILT by Christians. Unlike you, we are a very Tolerant people, and we welcome other religions. Judaism. Hinduism, Budhism, and others are ALL welcome EXCEPT your religion Islam. We don't want Islam here. If it's put to a vote, at least 80% of our people will vote to ban Islam here. Why? Islam is UN-American. Islamic culture and American culture are opposites, like night and day.
Islamic culture does not value individual freedom or human life, that is why Muslims are killing and terrorizing people all over the world on a daily basis. Muslims have no problem killing people over cartoons, or killing people over the accidental burning of a man made book!
The fact is Muhammad created Islam and set a terrible example by spreading it with deadly violence. As an incentive to fight wars to spread Islam, Muhammad promised 72 virgins in paradise to his followers who die fighting for Allah. Muhammad created the first Islamic state which COMBINED Mosque and State, and commands that Muslims work to form Islamic States and convert countries to Islamic states. This is fundamentally contrary to the western Christian concept of separating Church and State.
We know that for you to be a Muslim, you have to believe 100% in Muhammad and also believe in his command to convert the whole world to Islam which is why Islam is more like a cult and NOT a "peacefull" religion.
Therefore we know it is not possible for you to be Muslim and then trully be American. You can NOT believe in Muhammad, believe in Sharia law and the conversion of Countries to Islamic states combining Mosque and State AND stiIl be an American who believes in "Freedom of Religion".
To trully be American, you MUST get out of Islam the religion of Terr*rists. But remember, in the Quoran, Surah 4:89 states... "Those who reject Islam must be killed. If they turn back (from Islam), take (hold of) them and kill them wherever you find them..." So I pray they don't find you and kill you when you try to get out of Islam.