An Umrah experience

I performed Umrah with my wife last week. Having spent most of my childhood in Saudi Arabia (I was born here), I found the whole experience especially exhilarating. It was a trip that both of us were looking forward to. We were impressed with the efficiency of the police and officials at both the Harams.

But the experience at the airport was something else. As soon as we finished our immigration formalities and stepped out to take the first cab to Makkah, we were approached by some official-looking people who took away our passports and told us to go somewhere (they did not say exactly where; they were not at all articulate while giving directions or answering questions) where we will receive our passports in five minutes.

With our passports virtually snatched from us we were led to an adjoining complex through the parking lot (in June, it’s hardly a pleasant walk). We, along with numerous other bewildered Umrah visitors, stumbled upon a shed where our passports were supposed to be photocopied.

After pleas and threats, I located the person who had our passports. He asked us to board the taxis of his choice if we were to receive our passports. Clearly an organized mafia was at work. The whole idea was that the pilgrims should hire “their” taxis to go to Makkah.

I don’t know who is in cahoots with whom but the experience was extremely disappointing. I spoke my mind to the taxi driver on our way. He said it was an “official” process. I was not too convinced. Will there be an official explanation? I am not the only one to go through this ordeal — all who I know recently came to the Kingdom to perform Umrah had the same experience. I wonder whether this is the way to treat an Umrah guest.

B.N., Dubai published 2 July 2009

You forbid, we forbid

Abdul Hannan and others answer their own question by asserting that in Islam the burqa is not compulsory for women. Every country has its own culture, and France — my country — is very sensitive about its own. Yes, we do not tolerate other cultures, just like many other Europeans. We are straightforward. Others are politically correct, but also hypocrites. We feel other cultures as a threat to our own. If we want to see other cultures, there’s always tourism. (We have some of the most famous conservationists and explorers, mind you!) The earth has many cultures, but why should each country become an earth?

In the same way many scholars feel certain attitudes in the Middle East are borrowed from other cultures and view them as threats, we view other cultures as threats. Look at the situation in the UK!

President Sarkozy is not a neo-racist. Some may call it cultural chauvinism, but we simply don’t support multiculturism — and there isn’t anything racist or chauvinistic about that. We have been successful as a country without multiculturism, so no one can argue that it is the only way of being an advanced society.

I wonder if Safi H. Jannaty would tolerate women in miniskirts strutting in Dammam in the name of “freedom” and “liberty.” It’s funny how people like Hannan and Jannaty rant about freedom and liberty which apparently should allow women to wear the burqa whilst many Muslim countries across the world don’t seem to provide that same “freedom and liberty” in their own countries.

If you can forbid, we can forbid. If your countries have standards, France has its standards and the burqa is something that repulses many Europeans. If the burqa is not part of Islam and simply a tradition, then stop making it a part of Islam. Since it has less to do with religion and more to do with tradition, then France is within its limits to ban it. I have no qualms with religion, ideologies, ethnicities and languages as far as they don’t meddle with French culture in France. Neither do we have a place in France for men who think they own women and can dictate over them. France is a free and democratic country.

France allows freedom of religion, but France is also highly secular. And for those who don’t know the meaning of secularism, here is a reality check: Secularism is defined as a doctrine that rejects religion and religious considerations.

We don’t call ourselves a white Christian country like some; we are proud to be secularists.

Huette, Paris published 2 July 2009

Not compulsory

The burqa is no big deal in France. I have seen pictures of Muslim women in France wearing the veil and they wear it in a way that their face can’t be seen at all. I feel that other people in France get offended and might think that women are under some pressure if they wear the veil in such way. As far as I am concerned all rights should be given to individuals anywhere in this world but I want to mention women should wear the burqa in a way that it should not give other people a chance to think that women are treated badly. We must remember that only covering the head is compulsory, not covering the face.

Asma Maitla, Riyadh published 2 July 2009

Tribal mentality

I don’t think Betty Wiggins really got what Steven Corcoran meant to say. He probably meant to say that “Americans” have a tribal mentality nowadays. They first pride themselves on their diverse ancestry and use that to convince people about their open-mindedness and respect for multicultural societies. Then they turn their backs on everyone and start ranting about America for Americans like tribal men and women.

And they tend to be intolerant toward anyone who isn’t American “by blood” and prefer to be in their own “tribal groupings” (within Americans).

Basically, it’s a new tribe that professes its tolerance for all cultures owing to their own diverse ancestry, but sooner or later, turns their back on them when they’re anywhere close to them. He’s asking you to be straightforward. If you don’t like outsiders, say it ... Don’t be hypocrites.

But at the same time, the fact is, everyone in this world tends to respect cultures so long as they don’t feel threatened by them. It’s in man’s nature to feel threatened. So why shouldn’t the Americans, like the British, French or Saudis, feel threatened when another culture tries to dominate? But let’s not forget America’s own obsession with cultural domination, where it feels American culture should prevail and considers only Americanized societies free and civilized.

In the end, people get what they deserve. So let’s start by moving back to our own countries and truly learning to respect other cultures, and enjoy them in countries where they truly belong! If we need more men in the country for work, then we will invite someone from outside.

Hasina Iqbal, India published 2 July 2009