Humanizing, Banned
Whoops, they're at it again, those Saudis. Psychical-social cleansing of the population. The religious police have been tasked, yet again, to exert themselves to ensure that Saudis do not exercise their private conceits lest they conflict with the dictates of Islam. Dog and cat ownership is not to be countenanced. Pet animals may no longer be walked with impunity, in public spaces.For to do so will be to invite the displeasure of the ruling elite. Who have instructed the Muttawa in Riyadh to enforce Saudi Arabia's wahhabist Islamist code of conduct. Which prohibits the filthy Western practise of pet ownership, of lavishing affection and care on companion animals, of taking pride and pleasure in their company, of sharing life with small furry creatures.
Although conservative Muslims do regard dogs as beneath them, as dirty, not to be allowed into their presence, let alone their homes, it would appear that some Saudis have softened toward the appeal of companion animals, clasping the presence of pets to their bosoms. All would have been well, had it not been for the fact that it has been observed that women walking dogs have attracted the attention of men.
In the West, when people have pets and walk them in public, the presence of the pets often serve as a social ice-breaker, an opportunity for people to lift the aloofness of privacy in public, to greet one another, to admire other peoples' pets, to share a moment of social grace. Not so in Saudi Arabia, evidently, where men see a pet as an opportunity to advance another type of agenda.
Which the head of the religious police claims has the effect of potentially destabilizing relationships, to "disturb families", by unscrupulous men flirting with women walking their pets. Interesting, that point of view. Dogs in particular are hailed as companions for people, as an empathizing-learning experience for children, as emotional companions for the elderly and the lonely.
The presence of pets gives comfort and pleasure, provides entertainment, teaches responsibility and empathy. Human traits of emotional necessity for well-rounded personalities. In Muslim countries, where stray dogs and cats are viewed as pests, rather than as needy creatures to be salvaged and looked after, the values inherent in sharing lives with other creatures is sadly overlooked.
Leading one to speculate that perhaps there is something vital missing in those lives.
Labels: Middle East, Religion, Traditions
posted by Pieface @ Monday, August 11, 2008
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