I was just going through National geographic magazine, Oct 2003 issue. I found the title page story “KINGDOM ON THE EDGE-SAUDI ARABIA” by Frank Viviano, interested. What are your views on this topic? If you have not seen the magazine, following is the link to this.
http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0310/feature1/index.html
i have read it ... it was interesting ... and its not only Saudi Arabia thats on edge .... all other arab/muslim countries are too .... my opinion
Its intresting how a lot of articles about the muslim world point towards westernisation and some point towards Islamisation. It depends on what point the author is trying to make, but if we look at the statements coming from the American politicians on foreign affairs we see that they are concerned with the growth and strength of the Islamic movements in Saudi arabia and other countries. Did not most of the pilots who crashed into the WTC according to America come from Saudi arabia? Before one makes a judgement as to whether saudi or any muslim country is turning towards western culture they need to do a in depth study of that country and not take a few articles from western sources which gives a few snapshots of western behaviour, because many examples can be brought from saudi of people turning to Islam and wanting the sharia.
Interesting, thanks for sharing that Amir.
This particular edition of the magazine was banned, last week, in Saudi Arabia.
Still waiting for the day the colonial era kingdoms and dictatorships of the middle east are history. Saudi Arabia is at the top of the list. With all the resources and opportunities, they still can not make anything like a plane, ship, car, television, IC, etc. After all these years they can not even pump their own oil. Heck they don't even allow their women to drive cars. With the money they have, monkeys would have learned how to do half this stuff. Weird society.
As being an immigrant to Saudi Arabia, I would totally agree with the transcending concept of westernisation. It's not only in Jeddah, but you can witness this in every village or town or city of KSA.