The Lady of the Desert Waits

Saudi Arabia is changing. Women can now drive cars by themselves and travel without needing permission from men. The niqāb is no longer mandatory; a hijab will suffice. And unlike in Iran, the hijab is not mandatory for foreign women. Even for the Saudis themselves, the hijab is only a requirement at work. Whereas in Oman I was able to get my hands on a painting where part of a woman’s face was visible, in Jeddah I found one with a practically naked Arab woman––true, she is made of sand. Her tears are giving birth to sand, said the seller. And Aziz, the artist, sees the woman that way: waiting for a traveler. I want my loved one to await me like that and be hot as the sands of Arabia, the artist added.

My guide, Nujud Alharbi, answered a question about March 8th (International Women’s Day) thusly: “We don’t celebrate it, but we do get gifts!”

I think that our women these days dream only of one thing: a Ukrainian victory over our bloody aggressor.

But they are entitled to gifts nonetheless!

Glory to Ukraine!

Discuss this picture on Facebook