Have we really changed?

Yanni's wonderful track "Nostalgia" is playing loudly; my clothes are all over my bed as I am trying to decide on what to wear for my visit to my aunt who arrived yesterday from Hajj. Well, that's it! I am going to wear this white dress my grandmother- prayers sent to her soul- used to compliment every time saying," white is for good luck worn by good souls." Is this why pilgrims wear white? I wonder.

I remember the time when we received my grandparents- who had just moved to the city at the time- after they performed Hajj. Though I was a child, I can very well remember how my grandparents were disappointed at what they called "too modern" a reception.

My family, who kept wondering where the mistake was, saved no efforts to create an amazing reception-of course according to their best knowledge. They made sure, though by force, all the kids of the family would sleep very early in that evening so my grandparents could have peaceful time after a long journey. They carefully ordered enticing chocolates, pastries, fancy Lebanese meal.

My grandmother, then, started to compare Hajj reception in the past with the present ; "old beautiful days! People would head toward Makah few days after Eid al Fitter, as it took them months to arrive using camels and horses, that's if they could make it till the end."

"What do you mean, granny, "If they could make it till the end"?" my cousin asked.

“Many people died in their way to Makah. The road was long and rough, and the climate was very hot, dusty and humid." my grandmother answered.

“However" she continued, "when they safely arrive home, all family and neighbors would go to receive them at the station, with *mashmoom, candies, and rose water spread over their blessed heads. People start to perform *nasheeds and prayers, and women start their *zaghareed. Then they would directly be taken to the mosque to perform thanks prayers. The family would knock on every door in the neighborhood to invite them over a large lunch- feast- women would prepare days before the zero hour. Visiting pilgrims was a must; even family living far would take trouble to visit."

" the house of pilgrims," My grandfather took the lead of the conversation," would be open all the time with crowds in and out. The occasion with the joy it extended, resembled very much a wedding or celebration."

"Noor, hurry up!" my sister is roaring from behind the door," get ready! We should be there in less than 30 minutes. Aunt set the reception time only from 7:00-9:00 pm!"

*Mashmoom: kind of scented leaves we use for celebrations.
*Zaghareed: vocal expression of joy done particularly by women.
*Nasheeds: kind of religious rhyming songs.

The Art of Saudi Open-mindedness

The Art of the Saudi Open-Mindedness

Aristotle once said, "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.”

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary defines the word (open- minded (adjective)) as; willing to listen to, think about or accept different ideas. However, the word has started -like many other words- to be twisted to accommodate whatever meaning one intends to employ.

In Saudi, particularly among the youth, the word open-mindedness has misleadingly become an equivalent to daring to absorb whatever bizarre ideas thrown by the dust. If, under any circumstances, their idea was not welcomed, open-minded claimers should "practice what they preach" and be open-minded enough to "entertain" different mentality perspectives.

Open-mindedness simply means one is tolerant enough to embrace differences; divert religions, cultures, concepts, opinions and characters. You are not asked to affirm them; you are only expected to entertain their presence.

To provide more elaboration; any Saudi woman before traditionally gets married, she does have every right to be acquainted with the person she is to spend the rest of her life with. I mean to sit with, converse with, and test the frame of mind of her future husband- the longest time possible. Intensive investigations done by the family about the man who proposes, does not at all grant neither full, nor fair picture of the promised knight. Now, dear reader, if you happen to be open-minded, you will be able to "entertain" this idea, but may not necessarily "accept" to practice it.

The idea that "some" Saudi women are able to live abroad alone might be hard to digest to many conservative minds. I say "some", as reliability is not a general rule here -applied for both genders-. Many Saudi women have indeed proved themselves to be trusty to study or work overseas to support themselves and their families, without the need for a masculine company- mihram.- This, of course, does not change the fact that living alone in, by all means, atypical country is challenging, however it is indeed a touch stone for both genders, not only for the weaker sex. Conservatives here, may find religious path to oppose and run away, nonetheless, reality keeps spotting many such outstanding Saudi female individuals. Now, dear open-minded reader, you have the option to either "entertain" this idea, or simply "accept" it.    

A must "awakening" in terms of respect for difference without necessarily remodeling our prospects, crucially needs to be implemented. If we are seeking to change the world around us, let us start by amending ourselves first.