Saudi Arabia, in the past one year, has taken the world by storm. The implementation of new ways and the demands that were once a dream, are now a part of reality. The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammad bin Salman has become the rising star, serving his kingdom as the knight in the shining armor. Well, this is what the world or at least people in the west, perceive about Saudi’s improving image, but are these changes really getting implemented?
Among the major changes that MBS announced after taking to the throne, was allowing the women to drive, and it was solely based upon matching footsteps with the western world. On the very first day, women were allowed to drive, and the kingdom saw them taking it to the wheels. However, who taught them to drive, anyway? With laws prohibiting women to not even actively express herself, driving a car all by herself is a dream, pretty distant.
Though we totally recognize the efforts taken by the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, but Saudi Arabia’s efforts sometimes become questionable. Therefore, it is important that media is also given the full exposure to make people understand the way changes are taking place across the Kingdom.
Even recently, the images of police officers have been issued, giving away the roses that signify the acceptance of change, as women stop at the signal. Now, the beauty of this step is that it rightfully makes people understand the concept of equality in life.
On the flip side, reportedly, two people have been arrested for burning woman’s car in Saudi Arabia. Salma AL Sherif, the local resident of Saudi, who works in the holy city of Makkah said that her car was deliberately burned. There are some rebellious people in the country who are going all out to counter the reform.
Therefore, the people at legislative level need to focus on the mental conditioning of Saudis to make them acquainted with the reforms. Giving away roses, alone, won’t help!
The deep-rooted conformist ideology of people won’t change overnight. It is not even fair to expect such radical changes from the locals. Moreover, Saudi Arabia’s implementation policy towards addressing the male dominance, and making people accept the changes will go hand in hand.
