Not everything is open to the purview of the public, nor is everything open for public discussion or debate. There are intimate and private matters that remain closed and quiet. There are cultural values and practices that are well beyond what many believe should be universally accepted that simply are not open for outside interpretation and/or judgment. Therefore, regardless of outside curiosity, intrigue, attempts at exploring, researching, and what has been or has not been read; somethings remain intimate and private matters.
Here in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in Arabia, many women willingly wear, with love and devotion, not only the abaya and hijab, to conceal their bodily famine beauty from strangers, but they also will frequently wear the niqab (the face vial) that is also for drawing a vivid distinction between public and private matters. So, regardless of your lack of understanding and knowledge, I and many others like me are living, loving, and prospering in Arabia; and yes, I face challenges in daily life like all people everywhere in the world. But, at the end of the day, I am almost always treated like an Arabian princess by all of the gracious Arabic men in my life.
Check your Western stereotypes and double standards at the door before you glance inside my and others private and intimate existences. In particular, I am intrigued by this website that was founded to encourage and support a certain verity of openness, but when it comes to issues that are on the fringes or are outside the acceptable limits of discussion there is a diffident negative response. Silence and intimacy in some cultures still remain a virtue above and beyond loud openness or even transparency. I rather be nowhere else in the world!
Hi Fatma, and welcome to Susans! We have people come to visit us from all over the world, expressing different points of view, and you are likely to find someone to help you along your way :) Here are some important links and things to ponder as you begin your journey here.
- Site Terms of Service and rules to live by (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,2.0.html)
- Standard Terms and Definitions (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,54369.0.html)
- Post Ranks ( including when you can upload an avatar/post links and photos) (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,114.0.html.)
- Age and the Forum (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,62197.msg405545.html#msg405545)
- Reputation rules (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,18960.0.html)
I am very grateful for your comments, many of us worry for our sisters and brothers in other countries. We pray they are safe.
Thank you and welcome
Cindy
Not quite sure what brought this on as I have seen nothing but respect on this site. Susan's was formed to educate, nurture and help those who are lost with no place to go or those who have questions, but no one to ask. If someone has offended you in any way I encourage you to report it for a resolution or maybe a better explanation of something you may have misinterpreted. As for me I am glad you are comfortable in your every day life and wish you the best of times. It helps to live where you feel safe and secure and with core values you really believe in. Contrary to what you wrote not all "Westerner's" force their views on anyone, at least in what I have knowledge of or experience with. Just like you support your culture, I support mine where openness and communication leads to better understanding of people's experience's, trials and tribulations. This allows us to be supportive and lead to the person feeling more accepted and with a grander feeling of self esteem. Please do not label or lump all of us into a single category. Here in America and other countries like minded we pride ourselves on the ability to have open, effective and sometimes controversial conversations to better understand who we are and where we are going as a society. That is the unique thing that separates us from the rest of the world.
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I don't really get what you mean. Overall did you meant you are lucky to be a transgender in the arab world just cos you wear burqah/hijab and people don't see you, hence won't bash you? :-\
OK I'm stepping in right away.
Civility please.
We have a new person from another country and culture.
I expect people to respect and understand that there are differences between cultures and how we express ourselves.
I shall also remind people that the ONLY people who Mod posts are Global Moderators.
I also have zero tolerance for using the wrong pronouns for people on this site.
Cindy
Global Moderator
I really don't know where all of this is coming from. If i remember correctly from your last set of posts here no one was being disrespectful or trying to force anything upon you. Also contrary to popular belief none one here in the US tries to force anything upon anyone (minus some Christians who attempt to convert you) here.
While you are open to have, and voice, your own opinions i deeply suggest you ask people here in the western countries whatlife here really is like so you can have a more informed opinion to voice.
Salaam Fatma, welcome to Susan's! I am in the USA but have friends from Saudi Arabia, I completely respect your culture and choices to keep your body private. I sometimes wear what looks like hijab when I am in "female mode" and I find that I am treated less like a piece of meat than when I am out without it. It's an interesting experience to see the difference in how you're treated.
I hope we can all get along and learn a lot about or similarities and differences.
And in other news.....I loved my time in the mideast, like when I had to climb upside down in the crushed gasoline soaked remains of a truck to perform an emergency tracheotomy on a teenage soldier severely injured during a rocket attack by Saudi/Iran funded Hezbollah extremist.
Sure, we're not perfect here in the west, but we have choices, something Fatma you'll have to agree you're without. Good luck with whatever is bothering you.
Oops! Easy there folks. There are more than enough people wishing we would focus on the things that drive us apart rather than concentrating on our shared humanity. Personally speaking I could fill reams and reams of complaints with how badly I have been treated badly by my fellow white Europeans and very, very few (actually none) with how badly anyone from the Middle-East has treated me.
Negative action and negative re-action have entirely three fifths of sweet Fanny Adams to do with what race, creed, belief system, hair colour or pokemon rating anyone has. Personally speaking I believe that as soon as you you start seeing another human being as 'other' you need to take a step back a re-examine your thinking.
Rosie