Important Notice
It is not my intention to denigrate Saudi Arabia or its people. It’s like everywhere else, there is good and there is bad. I would rather focus on the unusual and the humourous. Offence is not intended.
Politics
“The country is not perfect. The media cannot be trusted, mistreatment of religious minorities is common and there are some that live in fear.” You can decide for yourself whether that statement is about Saudi Arabia, the UK, or any country for that matter.
Religion
To quote the Joker, “Why can’t we all just get along?”
khalas. That is all I will say about either subject.
Haram: Not permitted, not allowed, sinful…
In Saudi a lot of things are haram. Alcohol is haram. Pork is haram. Being alone with a member of the opposite sex who is not a relative is haram. Some people say smoking is also haram.
In Riyadh they actually have a chain of superstores called “Al Haram”. I drove past one the other night and it was absolutely packed. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it’s the store where I can pick up some beer and bacon, but somehow I doubt it….
5 comments:
Dear Margrave,
I doubt that the usage of Al- Haram in this case applies to the meaning haram = forbidden. The word in Arabic might actually be Al Haram = The Pyramids or Al Haram = The holy mosque in Mecca (all of them have different spelling in Arabic). Your point is well taken though, after all, we have many harams in Saudi!
Nice blog btw! Best of luck.
Aya, thanks for visiting the blog and thanks for clearing up my dodgy Arabic!
I guess I am allowed to have some wishful thinking.
Enjoy the US!
Actually, it's 'Al-Haram' meaning 'The Pyramid'. It's the equivalent of Walmart...wiat, your English, not American.
Forbidden is 'Haraam' with out the 'Al-'.
Thanks for letting me know AlMadi. I just hope that "The Pyramid" doesn't screw its suppliers and employees as much as Walmart does (allegedly!)
i agree with aya.
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