A Saudi woman was recently harassed by religious police for wearing nail polish in a shopping mall in Saudi Arabia. She videotaped the exchange and uploaded it to YouTube. In three days, the video went viral, racking up almost a million views.
Under new laws, the religious police are no longer allowed to harass violators of the strict Islamic religious rules. They are allowed to make suggestions on how to behave, but that is all. In the video, the woman is heard standing up for herself and defending her right to wear nail polish.
Recently there have been other trends toward greater freedoms for women in the Kingdom. Black veils and robes, or abayas, are slowly being replaced by more fashionable, colorful abayas made out of more comfortable fabrics. And last year, YouTube videos began to surface that show women in Saudi Arabia driving, an activity that is strictly forbidden by religious police.
The video made by the woman in the mall has sparked a passionate dialog about the rights of women in Saudi Arabia. As adamant defenders of freedom and expression, we proudly support these courageous women and their right to make their own choices.
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Last week
So F.
I live near by their country but its like a whoole diffrent world so ironic I feel sry for women their!
Last week
So F.
Wow she is awesome those stupid men need that one brave woman to snap them back to common sense.
Feb 14, 2013
Susan C.
Wow. I guess my tattoos, whore makeup and illegitimate children, t-shirts and foul mouth...I'd be stoned!
Oct 19, 2012
Reem A.
why do you hate islam?? its a religion and this is not a beauty topic!
Jul 24, 2012
Elizabeth G.
Living in the KSA, I definitely understand this topic. Good for this woman! I'm happy that she's standing up for herself, as most women just take whatever is coming their way.
Jun 18, 2012
Lynn W.
i think what she did was very brave and i know islam has rules but some rules are not acceptable for anyone. and it was none of the guards business. god people are becoming so ...... outragous all over the world!
Jun 23, 2012
Salama H.
Aug 12, 2012
Keilani R.
Feb 16, 2013
Rebecca F.
Jun 04, 2012
Tess D.
Thank you Salama H. and Athina A. for shedding some light on this topic, there was clearly something going on besides her just wearing nail polish- we should not be judging the situation without properly reading from credible sources about it, especially with our liberal customs compared to the Middle East.
Jun 03, 2012
Salama H.
At first I like to introduce myself as Arabian Muslim woman living in a neighboring Muslim country of Saudi Arabia. And I like to say that her act is not brave and bold as some of you say it is a shameless act irresponsibly shows her lack of education . our religion have put as any other religion rules must be respected and commitment by, and like other people there are among us sinner and committed but that does not let you applause for each of the such an act and praise it. if she did not like the laws she can go to another countries of the Gulf where there are no laws of this type or the men the Promotion of Virtue. Saudi Arabia is the place with the biggest sacred to Muslims as the Vatican is to you and to my knowledge the vatican does not allow Baltberg clothes and bare there, but I do not think that that concern you something. regarding to the men the Promotion of Virtue they donnt do this act for the suppression of women, or tighten but to keep on the meaning and sanctity of the place and do what God ordered themto maintain the purity of the relations between the sexes and purity. Women in Islam is like pearls and diamonds should be hidden from the eye and do not reach, but hard-earned it. and also appeared in the video that she screamed shamelessly while the men the Promotion of Virtue have been very quietly and replay quietly advising her because it their job to advice others and keep the god low going. if your culture require you to do, nudity , itis not imposed on us but we choose our attitudes, we prefer to decency and dignity . the video author has chosen a route like othrs and on one stop her, but the men advised her and her response was uncivilized throwing and screaming words and you decide that she is right!!!
. Let me explain something our culture is completely different fromyour culture as well as our religion, you are entitled you to criticize us or accused asyou pleases . This is our life. Ye do not understand our religion do not know anything about it truly, how do you judge it. What I want to say also that Islam does not force one on something. I live my life as I want my husband does not force me as he wish neither did my deceased father or my younger brother , but lay options to me and left it available also i do not work which completely my choice, I have an account at the bank my husband set it up to me, i name the thing and i will get it and soon I'll have driver's license like any other woman 'in the other States or countries and I go almost to Saudi Arabia every year to visit the sacred house and didn't suffer any problems of one subject, but i have been treated in all respect for men for exampel the back off from my way in walking mecca is very crawdad , let me pass in rows in a fast food restaurant , they does not raise their voice, never, they always call me my sister with respect. one peace of advice learn about Islam before criticizing it.
Oct 19, 2012
Reem A.
Jun 02, 2012
Athina A.
she is just a Pitty women ! you know why ? because she is a Liar they did’nt stop her because of her Nail Polish ! she did something that i cant even say
so read about the Real Accident then post it .. you are now embarrasing the Saudis
and spreading bad things about there Religion .. !
Jun 02, 2012
SmashinBeauty c.
it's sad that you can get harassed because of something so stupid like nail polish. Hats off to the woman not allowing others to tell them what they can and cannot do.