Culture Shock: Saudi Arabia

...in Saudi Arabia, where individual freedom is virtually nonexistent, authorities recognize the growing importance of the Internet to business interests. Some 100,000 Saudis went online in 1999 to join the e-commerce revolution that is sweeping the region, and the Saudi telecommunications company seeks to triple the number of Internet subscribers in 2000. For Saudi women, the Internet is fast becoming a way around traditional strictures that forbid them to drive and to work alongside men in offices. Some two-thirds of Saudi Internet users are women, according to unofficial statistics. Going online allows them to conduct research, make contacts, and even start businesses without leaving home. Yet the government maintains strict control to ensure the exclusion of "offensive" content on its servers. - Leonard R. Sussman

Saudi Arabia was one of the last countries in the Gulf to allow their citizens Internet access. Realizing the potential benefits and dangers, the Saudi government has tried to put restrictions around Internet use. Among others, the exposure of their women to new and different ideas has been a concern.

Influenced by the their national religion, Islam, Saudi Arabia has believed in distinct roles based on gender in their society. Yet, the Internet, with its ability to access the outside world and its freedom to "work from home", has opened new opportunities for many Islamic women.

No place is this conflict clearer than in Mecca, the holiest of Islam cities. Mecca also happens to be the home of the Mecca University, gathering large numbers of Saudi and international students.

In mid-April of this year, the Saudi government shut down a women-only Internet cafe because of "public morality". The Internet cafes had become quite popular with the youths of Saudi Arabia. The details as to "what" violations happened are unclear; but one can assume it had to do with the growing individuality and identity women have been gaining because of the influence of the Internet. Because of this incident, more cafes are threatened to be closed. (Click here to read the whole story)

Even if their government succeeds in shutting down all of the cafes in the country, the Internet is here. In order for their country to exist in the 21st century, their people will need to have access to the Internet.

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