and this is what it lead to, in Khobar, just 40 kilometers from Bahrain… Freedom of expression, Saudi style:
Freedom of Expression?
Arab NewsALKHOBAR, 18 January 2006  Police officers in Alkhobar smashed the rear car window of a teenager because of an offensive sticker, Okaz daily reported. The teenager was cruising on Alkhobar streets proud of a sign in the back window that said “I Have Your Sister With Me�. He was stopped by police and was asked to take it out. The teenager refused to listen to police order saying it was a personal right. Police found no way but to totally smash the rear window. A large crowd gathered at the scene and was clapping at the police action urging the police to do more to stop teenage unruliness.
Arab News
Comments
I have your sister with me
Serves him right! He should have used his courage to promote equality, rights, and other short comings in his society.. I’d like to see that fight for freedom of speech. Besides.. this phrase could have got him shot in Saudi.. he’s lucky the police got him first and he got away with a broken window.
The Joker
I have your sister with me
hmmm johnster, never looked at it from that perspective. If that’s the case then yes I agree with that, but it’s the way it’s done that provoked me.
Step out of line, the man come and take you away
No problems with cops towing cars?
Wait till it gets this bad and especially this lucrative.
In any case, our broncin’ buck miscalculated on one thing. There are EFFECTIVELY NO Personal rights in Saudi Arabia. Why else would they call something as harmless as a cheeky window decal a sign of “teenage unruliness”? Your only personal right, is the right to conform.
I have your sister with me
Reminds me of the States where parents had those “My child is an honor student at XXX High School” stickers.
Then came the opposing stickers – “My C+ student had sex with your honor student”.
I have your sister with me
The worst thing in all this story is that the boy probably still thinks that showing that silly offensive sticker is an expression of freedom of expression, but is not at all.
Freedom of expression is something deeper, with a more important meaning, but all we see is this when everything and everybody is forbidden and made outlaw.
Balqis
I have your sister with me
Well its a bit silly of him really. That’s not an appropriate comment to be making whether you have freedom of expression or not.
Nevertheless – bit harsh by the policemen.
Bilbo
I have your sister with me
Reminds me of the license plate holder in the States “My other ride is your daughter”.
–nibaq
I have your sister with me
This barbaric behaviour by the Saudi police reminds me of once when I was doing my Omra in Makkah, there are a lot of “No Parking” zones there and there were policemen who brought people who looked like professional carjackers and they were using different methods to unlock the cars and tow them away! So they don’t give parking tickets, they unlock your car and tow it away, not giving a fuck about personal rights and personal belongnings.
Re: I have your sister with me
I forgot to sign the above, also I wanna add that Saudi athorities have no respect to human beings whatsoever. This behavior is wrong regardless of the offender being right or wrong. Give a ticket and prosecute the person, but breaking or unlocking people’s cars is plain and simple wrong.
Another thing with the Saudi authorities is that they detain every single one involved in a car accident regardless of fault until responsibility is determined. I heard a story that once there was this guy who got involved in a car accident and he bled to death cuz he got detained and was refused to be transferred to a hospital, and then they call themselves the custodians of the two holy mosques?
–[url=http://lifeinbahrain.blogspot.com]LiB Team[/url]
Re: I have your sister with me
Balqis
If you don’t think this sticker (the display of) falls under freedom of speech then I think you need to define to us what does. Freedom of speech and freedom of expression are not inclusive of needing to be something deeper. To submit that as an arguement shows to me you don’t grasp the basic concept of this freedom. The sticker, no matter how tasteless, is a legit expression and one that a free society would protect. You comment seems to imply Freedom of Speech only applies to WHAT you want it to be? Or am I missing your point?
I have your sister with me
If you can not speak on trivial matters in a way that offends, you will not be able to speak on serious matters in a way that offends. Most of the serious improvements for humankind began with offensive speech. For example, saying that the Earth revolved around the Sun rather than vice versa was considered very offensive at one time in Europe. So was claiming that water could carry disease. Or that you could sail across the edge of the world.
If you can not speak freely, information does not flow, business suffers, wealth is not created, politics is not informed, and the culture stagnates. This bumper sticker incident is emblematic of a sick society.
Steve
Re(1): I have your sister with me
Yes it falls
but am saying that the guy wasted an opportunity.
Will Amnesty or HRW report this or fight for this ?
No.
Am not blaming the guy, am blaming those who caused such a behaviour.
If his only way to protest against an oppressive regime, but i think he simply wanted to have fun, was to show an offensive sticker, well this is the sign of what is going on there.
Just an opinion, never been in Saudia unfortunately, not yet.
Balqis
I have your sister with me
How incredibly ridiculous. Poor teenager.
Cops and smashing windows!?!?!
Haha!
What is it with [b]police [/b]and [b]smashing windows[/b]?
I was in Liwa in March, cruising in my Cherokee, when all the chai-haleeb and water I had been drinking finally caught up with me.
So I pulled to the side – middle of the desert – exited the jeep, and began to relieve myself. I suppose I was thinking with my bladder then, because I closed the door of the car with the keys still in the ignition. That caused the jeep to lock with me still outside.
Remember – [u]middle of the desert[/u].
So…. after 20 mins. of standing on hell-hot asphalt, cops pull up. I tell them my story, they chuckle, and then the Yemeni cop hands me – get this – [b]a rock[/b]! Instead of offering to take me to the nearest auto shop/looking for metal to pry the door open etc., he [b]gives me a rock[/b]!! Ikseer he tells me – ikseer!! He suggests the most quick-fix solution – break your car window and then crawl in after.
If anybody has any idea what it is with police and smashing windows, please enlighten me. I’m struggling to date as to why.
[url=http://nasrawi.blogspot.com]nasrawi[/url]
[Modified by: nasrawi (nasrawi) on January 19, 2006 01:12 PM]
I have your sister with me
Is there some significance to the slogan he had in his window?
re LiB Team’s comments – I never thought i would be agreeing with police tactics in certain neighbouring countries but the fact is in the UK (and I expect any other countries) if you park on a double yellow line (no parking) then your car is taken away to the local car pound and you pay a fine for its release. I have no problem with that (even though it has happened to me). I have not been to Mecca, but I imagine it is a very high volume place with huge numbers of people. It is essential that roads are kept clear and such a zero tolerance approach may be the only way of keep traffic routes clear. Why should people complain if they break the regulations by parking in a no parking zone? Just obey the regulations in the first lace, it’s hardly a big deal.
Johnster
I have your sister with me
If the British ran Mecca, it would be a much much nicer, cleaner & more organised place.
Dont I wish I could walk the streets of Mecca & find wonders at every corner.
When I actually walk the streets of Mecca, I find trash, beggars & more trash all in a dirty dirty city.
I guess that’s the test God put on these Saudis, they have the ka3ba & they neglect everything around it.
Re: I have your sister with me
If the British ran Mecca, there’d be pubs in Mecca.
And yes, I am British.
Re: I have your sister with me
[quote]Anon: “So Steve, before you say anything else, ….”[/quote]
Hey, why are you picking on me? I haven’t even said anything yet.
[quote]Anon: “…problems exist over there [the US] as well, like racism, police brutality, and corruption….”[/quote]
Is there some sort of tu quoque key on Middle Eastern keyboards that you punch to counter any criticism with boilerplate accusing America of being racist? I think you’re hitting that key awfully early. I mean, after all, the Middle East is not exactly non-racist nor a sea of ethnic harmony. I don’t see any black people in positions of power in any Middle Eastern governments but I see plenty in charge in America. And really, if you’re talking about police brutality and corruption, America can not compete with the Third World.
This rhetorical boilerplate is a bit dated. It might ring true fifty years ago but the main place you find those things these days is in the fevered rhetoric of the Left.
All that said, the big shock for me as an American when I was in Asia was to discover that the cops aren’t the good guys, but crooks. It took me about six months to learn that when a cop waves you down, you don’t stop but hit the gas. They just want to shake you down for a bribe and they’re too lazy to chase you.
Steve
[Modified by: Steve The American (Steve) on January 20, 2006 12:57 PM]
I have your sister with me
The problem here is that the cops are not doing their [i]real[/i] jobs, which is to provide security for the public. Saudi and Lebanon are the worst places I’ve visited in terms of road safety, and its alarmingly normal for everyone to see a three-lane highway turn into a race track.
Not to go on a rant here, but even Bahrain’s police officers don’t have a clue on how to do their jobs right. And how can I say this? Because I don’t see any Bahraini cops out on the streets . . . only if some VIP is passing by, they have to go and keep the traffic light green while the rest of the cars are waiting (and waiting…and waiting…and waiting…). But with all due respect, I do see traffic cops conducting traffic in the heat and my appreciation goes out to them. Yet, we outsource our security personell with people who know a bit of arabic and can’t really communicate with the local population . . . and the remaining higher ranking ‘cops’ out there are from the 5 families who are [i]allowed[/i] to be in such a position and don’t seem to care to get their hands dirty when doing their jobs.
I’m writing this due to my own experience, and even though I wish that Bahrain can follow the guidlines of Law Enforcment that is seen in the US, problems exist over there as well, like racism, police brutality, and corruption. So Steve, before you say anything else, I’ve taken the George W.Bush approach and shall incorporate the doctrine of ‘pre-emptive’ strike and say ‘No, for once, you’re wrong, the American Law Enforcement does suffer from these things, and anything else you say can and will be used against you in a blog.”
However, after spending a couple of years in the States, I must admit that I’ve become a better driver because their system actually does work. I was forced to use the turn signal, not change lanes at intersections, drive within the speed limit, slow down at the pedestrian crossings, and not overtake cars like I have a death wish. These things are considered anomolies over here and unfortunately the situation is not getting better.
ps. I have seen some funny stickers in Bahrain, like ‘Thank Godness’ . . . what the hell does that mean? Thats not even a word. Like the arabic one that say ‘Ma Shallah’ . . .with a driver who has no respect for others on the road. Oh, oh, the best ones are the type that take over the entire back window with the saudi flag inscription . . . impeding the driver’s ability to see cars, and at the same time spreading the word of God. Flippn’ morons.
I have your sister with me
[quote]However, after spending a couple of years in the States, I must admit that I’ve become a better driver because their system actually does work. I was forced to use the turn signal, not change lanes at intersections, drive within the speed limit, slow down at the pedestrian crossings, and not overtake cars like I have a death wish. These things are considered anomolies over here and unfortunately the situation is not getting better.[/quote]
All depends on where you live in the US. Everything you have said above does not apply in Massachusetts and we like it that way! And you little quip about problems with US Law enforcement is true. However cops here are routinely fired, suspended and sentenced to jail for breaking the law. So please don’t try and muddy the waters with the “you have problems too” argument. Yes we do. We admit it but we as a society in general don’t tolerate it. We have respect for our police not fear.
Re(1): I have your sister with me
Maybe the British need to run al Saud
I have your sister with me
Funny indeed. Funny how you believe in freedom of speech for the teenager who can display vulgar messages on his car. Funny how you don’t believe in freedom of speech of an expat woman whose giving her opinions on bahrain. There might be slight differences, but in principal you are being hypocritical.
Re: I have your sister with me
Lets see.. Hmmm Youthful exuberance with a harmless bumbersticker vs an educated Adult being a moron and insensitive to her host country? mmmm Both have a right to express themselves, as well as I have a right to call it as I see it. “Twinkle Tits” bitching about her host country is just plain bad form any way you slice it. Mercenary style form as well. Suck the well dry and leave town. Expats like her are a problem. ONly saving grace is this one isn’t a Yankee. Yet all “Twinkle Tits” is getting a verbal tongue lashing from the blogging population. No one is bashing in her car window and perhaps tossing her in jail for her views. I see a big difference and no real hypocrisy.
I have your sister with me
Ha,
You people are really fucked up .. Are you really attacking the Saudi Police for a move like that ? .. I applaud them, not for their act as authority figures, but for their acts as citizens in saving common decency …
If that’s not providing security … I don’t know what as
Mohammed, The Rebel
Re: I have your sister with me
Mohammed welcome back! No hard feelings I trust?
Re: I have your sister with me
[quote]Mohammed the Rebel: “I applaud them, not for their act as authority figures, but for their acts as citizens in saving common decency … If that’s not providing security … I don’t know what as”[/quote]
Yes, and the mandate to save common decency is such an expansive one, isn’t it? There is just no end to the things that can be addressed under that noble banner, is there? But what do you do when the Committee of Public Safety finally decides arbitrarily that YOU are the one in violation of common decency? You’ll probably feel pretty silly sitting in jail thinking, “Hey, I never imagined this would happen to ME. I thought they were good guys.”
Here’s another puzzle for you, Mr. Rebel. One day the oil in Saudi Arabia will run out and the Saudis will actually have to work to maintain their standard of living, ie manufacture goods and provide services that customers want. If you look out the window, you may have noticed that Saudi Arabia is a big freaking desert. Unless there is a sudden worldwide demand for sand in the future, Saudi Arabia has few natural resources to offer the world. That means it will need to rely on its human capital to make a living. Such human capital is built up by a free exchange of ideas to promote commerce, to learn how to produce things of value to the world, to learn what the world needs which you can provide. Most good ideas come jumbled in tangles of bad ideas. Some good ideas come in offensive packages. If you stop all ideas you think are bad, then the good ideas are also stopped, which is the intellectual food that grows human capital. When that last drop of oil drips out of that Saudi spigot, the Saudis will be ill-prepared to make their way in the future if they’ve spent all their time cracking down on every peep of free speech.
Now it is a very satisfying scenario to me to ponder the Saudi petrodollars drying up, no longer to fund the venal Saudi princes nor the Wahhabi terror. It could happen in our lifetime. I don’t imagine it would be a very satisfying scenario for you, though. You probably have gotten used to air conditioning, huh? You probably have gotten used to having a nice car to ride around in over good roads between nice homes in nice modern cities, all maintained by an army of foreigners doing the dirty jobs Saudis disdain. How are you going to pay for all that when the oil is gone?
Every time you bash in a windshield because it carries a bumper sticker you don’t fancy, you are bashing in your future and guaranteeing that your children return to the desert.
Steve
Re: I have your sister with me
In the Saudi youth’s case, I didn’t make a judgement, merely a statement. There is a difference, so I would appreciate you not putting words in my mouth and read what I have written in both cases.
I have your sister with me
Actually Steve we are desperate for sand here in Bahrain
Johnster
Re: I have your sister with me
Pay me $10,000 and I will tell you where to find it.
Steve
Re(1): I have your sister with me
Beleive it or not the Saudi’s export something besides oil. SAND and Bahrain does import sand from Saudi though I don’t think an economy could be built on it.
Re: I have your sister with me
Hey slick, you’re not much of a ‘rebel’ if you side with the law. Or is this just a play on words? I don’t know, but you really didn’t think this through. Maybe you signed your name like its ‘The Rebel Mohammed
Re(2): I have your sister with me
Computer chips are made from silicon, which is a component of sand. Unless chip makers are using some other source for raw materials, Saudi Arabia may actually have a resouce here.
Aliandra
I have your sister with me
Seriously Steve, the Saudis cut off the sand supply a few months ago for a period and prices
skyrocketted here and construction was seriously delayed.
Also, almost all milk, lots of beef products and other agricultural produce is imported from Saudi. I understand that Saudi is a net exporter of wheat (although I shudder to think of the level of subsidies involved)
Johnster