The main idea of my digital project is Saudi Arabia and the social and economical problem thats going on these days. Saudi Arabia, where I am from, I actually chose this topic  to learn about my culture from another perspective.  Being inside the culture gives you one point of view and looking to the culture from different way of thinking gives you a totally whole different points. I want to learn more about how the world is viewing the culture I am from. Also I want to give my opinion on how people see the lifestyle I lived in. In this great time of new reform of Saudi Arabia, it is great opportunity to explore more about this topic. Also the new events that happening , falling of oil price which has impact on the economy, The death of King Abdullah the saudi greatest reformer, King Salman coming to power with new regulations, The war in Yemen and so many events happening in the region.  Also, what is going through the area  make it necessary to keep up with what is happening where tirelessly or fatigue;  the succession of crises make Saudi Arabia feels that the region is the test of cohesion; either slip in the midst of conflict does not end or survive better tomorrow, it does not seem that Saudi is  in front of those chaos is going to end in sight to what is happening, and this weighs too much burden on the kingdom, which has taken upon itself since the time of carrying the burden of the region as a regional power and international.  The Kingdom ambition for a promising future for our beloved undoubtedly depends on our ability to keep pace with the evolution of what is happening where and push for what establishes the foundations for stability and high position, with the Saudi’s belief that optimism should be the dawn of each new day feature. King Salman, the new king, has a new mission to the kingdom. He reshapes practically regime, and arranges present and future, its borders, and its determinants; it is with all of that gives everyone the right to participate in nation-building on the grounds that a right for all, and the duty of everyone, and this vision carried by Salman bin Abdulaziz, the effect in the end security and stable  home, a factor which carries since he was in the emirate and even after reaching leadership, Security, stability are the most important in the thinking of Salman regardless of the names, titles, locations, and positions are the leader holds obsessed with the present and the future, and realize that king Abdulaziz goal  not the responsibility of his children or his grandchildren, but also its citizens who sacrificed their parents and grandparents with their lives for the sake of unification, not from the diaspora reunited band. This is a concern which we must feel to King with Salman, and obsession which bear a lot in the process.

My whole research was about so many important events that happening in Saudi Arabia.  Shia questions issue in Saudi Arabia and how they feel discriminated. Living in a country  where only %10 Shia can cause such discriminations or lack of rights.  I have also touched up into Women’s rights in Saudi Arabia and how King Abdullah has worked to improve the women issue and have them additional rights to help them involve more in the society.  Moving to a bigger aspect which is Petroleum economics and the oil price issue. Unfortunately,  this spring the King of Saudi Arabia has died which had some impact on the oil price. In fact, in general oil prices is declining which caused some economic problems in the regions in the mean time. Other significant factor is  Middle Class in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has a good range of middle class, however there are questions about this middle class and how long these people will be consider middle class.  In Saudi wealth society where they have most of worker as migrant labor. In Saudi Arabia and the GCC countries there are some problem regarding migrant labor rights which I have search and also blog about. I have also touched on what King abdullah was doing to ensure migrants labor rights.  Another important factor is the media is Saudi Arabia which can be social media and traditional media. What made this so important is because big percentage of social media user in the middle east  are saudi’s users, so they control public opinion in the social media. Moving along to the media war the GCC which occur between Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The whole battle is aired from Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya, the most trustable sources of new in the middle east, but they in different side of the spectrum.  In my digital project I have also cover Political succession and democratization of Saudi arabia, it is doing a great improvements to move toward succession with the king Abdullah great job. The king led saudi Arabia toward democratization in unique way that suite the saudi tradition and culture.

According to globalization definitions it is found to be “comprehensive exchanges with various parties to the universe and transform the world into a global village, and the abolition of border and spacers in a new world order based on the information revolution, without regard to civilization and values, cultures and geographic boundaries are automatically evolution not entered the political forces prevailing and dominant the world. “

With regard to modernization, the communities do not know stability in spite of the slow pace of mobility, that need to be for a long time to show the results of continuing the changes, and in this direction falls update as a context an active and productive social to make all these changes, which vary between communities by limited agents of social change internally. In fact social organization and elements that work to change it from the inside ideologically, politically and economically.

The social culture of the most important characteristics of the countries they are granted privacy that reflect the heritage and national identity, but in the light of globalization become a “sovereign cultural state” before the trouble comes in the ability of the national culture to survive and to influence others, and how you can maintain cultural specificity , through technological development and information that make the world a small village, and means modernization, “the overall social, economic, political and technological changes that accomplish a balanced and integrated development in the community, so as to achieve countries real political and economic independence as a formula development through new international relations and  trying to these countries to catch up with communities developed. The change that I mean not at the level of political power necessarily, but social and cultural in first class. It is important to note that social values ​​are in any society with faith and most of its members by its impressionable, so the movement of renovation conservative societies – usually – what comes in line with the prevailing system of values. Also, the social modernization does not produce – necessarily – a society antithesis of the old society, as there are constants and values ​​may remain constant with the community in its development stages. Saudi society is a clear example in this regard. There is lots of movements of social change when becoming a society, and subjected to the movement of a huge renovation has become the magnet for individuals and institutions from all countries of the world region and brought their own cultures and religions. It  able to absorb it all, such as the  great deal of modernization. In spite of that, the owner that some of the negative images, and the disruption of some behavioral standards, but the community remained conservative on a great deal of value for the public.

Excellence Saudi policy toward the Arab revolutions as a variable and asymmetric policy at the same time; it while Saudi Arabia’s policy toward what has happened in Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen opposition to the fall of the regimes in those countries, they directly intervened in the Bahraini crisis, then opted not to appear in the image directly in both the Libyan and Syrian crisis.

The Saudi Arabia today under the leadership of current Arabic represented by monarchies, the only regimes in the region that still maintain relatively stable, with the aim of making the bloc such a safety element for each system, which expresses real fear possesses the traditional Arab regimes from falling as systems Republic fell. Monarchies are still able to benefit from the new Arab reality by providing greater freedoms for their people. And possesses the leadership of Saudi Arabia described as skilled in constipation frameworks of governance and its components; and therefore the leadership can make a real internal change can remove the fears that may do are seized from neighboring democratic regimes. It is impossible to Saudi state to take advantage of any internal unrest in Egypt or Syria or Jordan or Yemen, but the Saudi state and the Gulf states may be one of the biggest losers in the event of ignition fuse of any sectarian strife or sectarian or political in any of the Arab countries that have chosen the way of change.

This research opportunity gave me the chance to look at the Kingdom political and cultural system from whole different perspective.  It is really different to research a country and culture that you have lived in for your whole life. Also being in this class teach me so much about the global idea about Saudi Arabia. Without this research I would miss a lot of these great Ideas and perspective. Some were wrong and some were so true, but I never thought about them this way

Here is a huge headline I know it is a big deal for some people and It is a one more step for women opportunity  in Saudi Arabia.  I believe that the saudi women participating in the Olympics in 2012 has an impact on this new regulation. I am totally with women participating in sport activity due to the health issue for women in Saudi Arabia like obesity and diabetes . Forcing class will improve women fitness and healthy life, and there will be a big change in young female daily life.

What others maybe don’t know, women sport is allowed in privet schools, Also privet collages. However, is not really developed system. The sports classes were elective in college and less formal in school. They were like little break to do some games like basketball and volleyball. There were some sports league between female’s schools but as I just mention they were not in big range or between so many schools or teams.

Here is other side of the story, conservative are not rely happy. The reasons why they are not agreed because they are concern that these sport class will not fit with the conservative dress code in school. I understand there point coming from this society. However, I don’t agree with them. In only girls school I don’t think there should be any concerns. It is a change in the society but people will get use to it, they are always afraid from changes thats what Saudi Arabia is facing right know. The whole culture is changing and we are moving to new reforms, and this is part of me being here in the States. The governments sent us to study abroad and learn other languages and come back with whole new perspective to help the country’s development.

After 2013 survey that saudis are the highest percentage of using twitter. Also that saudis are the most spends time online in social media thats surprising to most of you, however it’s not for me. I can see from being from Saudi Arabia that most of the Saudi spend so much time being online including my parents. I have bookmark an article that  talk more in depth about social media use by saudis users. It published by The Economist

Social media is used of socializing method since over 200k citizen are living overseas seeking knowledge in foreigner universities , like my case. Other using Social media, specially twitter, to express their anger anonymously toward the government. Youth using Social media to pick up dates in their conservative society. Sport is a big motive for saudis to use social media and post about their favorite team. Female are using it for posting about their    interest in soccer too .

I think one of the great motive for saudi to use media is the free time they have from this luxury life they live.  I used the social media most in the car when I get ride to places. stay home mother are mostly active in the morning when their maid are doing the house task instead of them. I think the weather has impact into it. Saudi Arabia is so hot the summer and so cold in the winter which limit the outdoor activity for youth, so that makes them spend more time indoor surfing the internet. The events are going on right now and being all over the traditional media made the youth so overwhelm. That is I think one of the reasons why they go to social so they can choose what they want to watch and follow in the are of interest

After diving in to this region, I have learn a lot of new things and took me to other whole world of experiences. In this blog I will talk in general what was in my all blogs. Talking about Saudi Arabia first thing will come to mind is women rights, royalty, wealth and oil. well this exactly what most my blogs is about

First, I talks about what King Abdullah gave the women political, educational and economical rights lead the nation to the right direction toward democratization. King Abdullah also has other achievements for women especially.  Then I post about women being unable to drive because of the law. I have post some ideas that talks about this law and how it could be a barrier for women to achieve some goals.

Second, I have posted about other GCC country,which is UAE, in her steps toward democratization as we studies in the book Controversy in globalization by having first women as fighter pilot. Now, in UAE women are able to join in the military specially to be a polite fighters.

Furthermore, I have explain my point about Saudi Arabia is moving toward a democracy, however, it is in its own way. King Abdullah promise Education,  women empowerment to ensure better future. But he never say we are going to have democracy. King Abdullah aimed to have an educated nation with better economy to give his country the future that the dreamed for. Isn’t that value more that democracy? or people still want democracy first.

Moving toward more important topic which is the Oil price. Oil price is decreasing which is not of the GCC favor. This falling of oil price can cause a major issue in GCC economy. On the other hand, GCC are ought to come up with new strategies to help their economy. It could be with mange the oil spending or not to rely only on oil in their entire economy..

Moreover, I have talked about a controversial topic in Saudi Arabia especially which is the labor rights . It is been in news lately that worker have been abused in Saudi household. King Abdulla has done great work in past to help protect this foreign workers. Saudi Arabia has cooperate with Human rights to meet these workers human needs. Additionally king abdullah gave the foreigner workers a chance to fix their document to be in legal status  to stay in Saudi Arabia legally without any penalty.

Also, one of my interesting post is the one about media war. It always catch my attention that Saudi Arabia have media war and the are using this huge and well trusted news channels. Qatar is using Al-Jazzerah which is actually based on Qatar, and Saudi Arabia is using Al-arabiya which based on Dubai but lead by saudi royal person. Each country is using its media outlet to criticize the other country.

Lastly, I have bookmark and posted a blog about the Shia uprise in Saudi Arabia. Shia in Saudi Arabia is experiencing some sort of unjust system. They believe the only reason behind them because the are different the are been discriminated. This small conflicts in Saudi Arabia can caused a bigger conflict with Iran because Iran support the Shia everywhere in this region.

Here is one of the topics that I am really interested in, the Shia in Saudi Arabia. In march 2011,  Shia population in Saudi Arabia has express their opinion about the unjust system toward them. Also, the express anger toward Shia prisoner in Saudi’s prison with no sentence. They really want freedom of speech and just system.

These uprising of Shia was violence also the protester were arm, so there is some officer were killed. There also 20 protester have been killed. The Shia in Saudi are able to get support from other Shia in the region. That can lead to civil war in Saudi, or it may lead saudi to be in war with other countries that support Shia.

I believe that Saudi Arabia should try its best to accommodate just and peaceful place to the Shia to express their freedom of religion. Reasoning by that Shia are able to get support with other countries like Iran which my cause huge war between the two countries.

One important aspect on the middle east in the media war. In this post I am talking specifically about Al-jazzerah vs Al-Arabiyia. The well-known news channel Al-jazzerah is Qatar based news channel. It has its own point of views on events that happened on the whole world. Some people believes that it has its criticism against some countries in indirect way. Furthermore, in my diigo’s bookmarks I have attach an article that mentions AL-jazzerah judgments of Saudi Arabia and its governments

Following, Al-arabiya has been established by saudi royal person to compete against Aljazeerah. In Saudi Arabia Al-Arabyia is more trustworthy because its more agreed with the governments and political point of views for them. To me personally, I go to Al-arabiya for news. It is more modern and they try to approach verity of audience from different ages and different political points.

All in all, Qatar , I believe, is using Al-jazzerah for judging other gulf countries like Saudi Arabia, and Saudi Arabia is doing significant job addressing these criticisms. However, truth to be told Al-jazeerah is doing greater job approaching global audience as it mentions in The Battle for Arab Spring in the Media revolution chapter

After bookmarking to articles thats talks about the current satiation of labor right in Saudi Arabia. First one named Real Change For Labor Rights in Saudi Arabia?, and the oner one called Saudi Arabia protect Migrant workers’ Rights. These are really interesting articles which talks in depth about the on going satiation for Migrant worker rights.

The first article mainly talked  about that Saudi Arabia agreed to 181 out of 225 recommendations on human rights reforms made to it by U.N. It is a significant step that they agreed on more than half of the U.N recommendations. Saudi Arabia has reform the ages of the migrants worker, the hours of work daily, potion of the passport and changing the employer. These regulations come in the benefits of the migrants workers.

The second article primarily talks about what king Abdullah has done to Protect Migrant workers’ rights. He gave all foreign workers times to fix there documents and regain status.   There is a huge numbers of worker in Saudi Arabia are not in status which let them to face abusive treatment from their employers. They can change their employers then regain statues. King Abdullah gave them this opportunity to protect their rights.

Following the hours of  king Abdullah’s death the oil price has jumped.As we all know that Saudi Arabia is one of the greatest producer of oil in the whole world and in member of OPEC(Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries). As result, such a news effected the oil price.

However, the oil price in general is falling in the in Saudi Arabia and GCC(Gulf Corporation Countries) which is effecting the economy of these countries. This big falling of the oil price  made the GCC think about having new strategies to mange their oil spending. in fact, GCC never states stopping exporting

This falling of oil price can be a positive thing too. It can help Saudi Arabia and GCC countries not rely on oil in their economy and helps them invest in new businesses.

In tis blog I am talking about the new phase that Saudi Arabia is moving toward. As we all can see that Saudi Arabia is changing a lot of its form of government. I’ve two articles that talks about what king Abdullah had done to help move the country to succession. First article, The Question of Succession In Saudi Arabia by Ismail Naar, explains how king Abdullah was more concerned about moving the country toward modernity more than democracy. He cared more about Human Rights, mower women and Educations. Naar sums up his article with saying that King Abdullah is not a reformer he is modernist.

The second article, Saudi King Never Promised a democracy, explains the strategy behind what king Abdullah was doing. By taking care of the women empowerment’s, education and human rights, King Abdullah promised the Saudi citizen better life which is obviously showing in his great work and support for the youth future.  When this great king was giving better life and future for Saudi citizen I think democracy matter less to them. Nowadays, most nations dream of better life with equal opportunity, free education, support for women and supports to the youth. 

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/08/28/the-staying-power-of-arab-monarchies/the-saudi-king-never-promised-democracy

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2015/01/succession-saudi-arabia-201514122353911207.html

Hi again !

I have posted two article in my diigo about controversial issue that accrued in UAE, one of the rich and developed countries in the world.

In October 2014, CNN has posted an article about the first female fighter pilot. The article talks about that women in UAE are ready to protect their country as much as men. In the whole world saw this story as step forward toward the country development and democracy . However, The second article argue that UAE is far behind in women rights comparing to its neighbor.