Saudi FM calls Indian, Pakistani counterparts to discuss developments    Al Hilal thrash Gwangju to reach AFC Champions League Elite semi-finals    Saudi Arabia cracks down on fraudulent Hajj campaigns, urges pilgrims to use official channels    Nammos Amala Resort to open soon with Saudi-Greek designs    Saudi Arabia completes 674 Vision 2030 initiatives, achieves 93% of KPIs as ninth-year milestone marked    Literature Commission inaugurates Saudi Pavilion at Muscat Book Fair    Saudi Minister of Culture holds talks with his Costa Rican counterpart in Jeddah    Alkhorayef praises advancements in Al-Kharj food industries sector    MHRSD: 80% of recruitment offices are non-compliant with regulations    At least 50 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza    Teenage girl killed in French school stabbing attack    Trump claims meeting with China after Beijing denies any trade negotiations    GACA chief chairs 16th meeting of the Steering Committee on aviation's strategy    Saudi Theater Commission launches its Work and Learn Project in UK    The season has begun — and one comment shook us all    Jennifer Lopez dazzles in Jeddah with a Formula 1 performance    Saudi Arabia open to expanded 64-team World Cup in 2034, says sports minister    Average life expectancy in Saudi Arabia rises to78.8 years    Film Commission launches 'Cinema' initiative to enhance content    Famed Philippine film star Nora Aunor dies at 71    Pakistani star's Bollywood return excites fans and riles far right    Veteran Bollywood actor Manoj Kumar dies at 87    Bollywood actress vindicated over boyfriend's death after media hounding    Grand Mufti rules against posting prayers and preaching in mosques on social media    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Rahaf's ‘flight to freedom' puts success of Saudi women in jeopardy
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 27 - 01 - 2019


Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — The case of Rahaf Al-Qunun has been used by foreign politicians and media as a pretext to interfere in the Kingdom's internal affairs.
Her case no longer remains within the boundaries of her family, but has instead become the talk of the world.
Many of Rahaf's peers are worried today that their achievements might go to waste because of her case. They have demanded that strict laws should be enacted to combat all forms of violence or deprivation in order to deter others from taking the opportunity to seek asylum abroad or engage in disgraceful acts under the guise of freedom. Amani Muhammad, 23, a law student at King Abdulaziz University, called upon human rights organizations, the Ministry of Social Development and other pertinent bodies to impose strict punishments on those who perpetrate violence against women, persecute them or deprive them of their rights. Such measures should act as a deterrent to the likes of Rahaf from using Saudi traditions and social norms as a pretext to run away, she added.
"Rahaf's case escalated from an internal family affair into an international political conflict. The foreign media used Rahaf as a bait for political gains and ignored the pains this girl had caused her family. The media used her naivety to achieve their goals," Amani said
Although domestic violence can force some girls to run away, it is not a sufficient reason to do what Rahaf has done, Amani said, while calling upon the pertinent authorities to find drastic solutions to put an end to domestic violence and make sure that it does not become a reason for girls to run away from their families and flee abroad.
The Saudi government does all it can to make the social life of the citizens comfortable, she added.
Amal Al-Zahrani, 17, said Rahaf's action could destroy many of the achievements made by Saudi women. Her actions are disgraceful and against religious norms and Saudi values.
They might also have a negative influence on many Saudi girls, she added.
"I believe that the Saudi and Gulf women now enjoy a more luxurious lifestyle than women in many other societies. In the past, women did not have job opportunities and chances to complete their studies but today the situation has changed. Rahaf's running away might make the international community to believe that Saudi women are not qualified enough and cannot hold leadership roles and gain more freedom," she said.
Salwa Khalid, 20, said she was a victim of domestic violence in the past and but she reacted differently. Her parents got separated when she was three years old and she was subjected to violence at the hands of her aunt and cousins. Her father suffered health problems and her mother could not win her custody.
Salwa said she faced a lot of problems because of negligence and she thought of running away from home but she did not do it and decided to put up with the whole situation. Her patience paid off when she turned 17 years old and she was able to demand her rights and defend herself and make her own decisions.
"If I had run away back then, I would not have gotten any good opportunities to complete my studies. Many girls are not aware of the fact that running away is not the solution," said Salwa.


Clic here to read the story from its source.