In a day and age where the justice system and western ideals on human rights are constantly in the spotlight because of their double standards, I must say the straw that broke the camel’s back is most definitely the death of Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah. Western dignitaries extended their condolences and took it a step further by praising the late King for – wait for it – his reform and – you won’t believe this – feminism! The list of commonalities between ISIS and the Saudi Royal family is endless. Yet ISIS is a brutal and barbaric terrorist organization and King Abdullah is a progressive who has left us way too soon, at age 90.
This is the same country – the only country in the whole wide world – to not allow women to drive, to name but merely one of their contributions to feminism. I am pretty sure ISIS is OK with women driving.
To add to the late King’s progressive ruling: Christians in Saudi Arabia are not allowed to practise their faith openly. Nevertheless western leaders made time in their busy schedules to commend his Majesty for his progressive ways by attending his funeral. This is the same King whom U.S. President Barack Obama, leader of the free world, was rumoured to kneel down to. I get it, oil to a politician is like crack to an addict. But where are the leaders who are addicted to nobility? Got equality anyone?
Maybe hypocrisy is simply innate to us human beings. In fact I first noticed it at a very young age, with our parents telling us things like ”Do as I say not as I do” or ”If your friends jump off a cliff, will you do it too?” or ”I don’t care what Tommy does, he is not my child.” And sometimes, ”Why can’t you be more like Tommy? He is so obedient and studious.” This must be the reason therapists need a revolving door to their office.
As a Middle Eastern Westerner, I grew up knowing all too well that life isn’t meant to be fair, but that shouldn’t be acceptable. It is not right that members of half the world’s population are not equals. It doesn’t matter that we have it a lot better in the West as women than we would in the developing world. A lot better is still not equal, not just, not fair.
We are constantly reminded that rules only apply to the less fortunate and justice only to the wealthy. I am grateful for my ability to speak out without being persecuted, but it is not sufficient. Just because it is worse somewhere else doesn’t mean we don’t have to challenge, question and better ourselves. I’m thrilled the Unites States has a black president, but that doesn’t erase racism. I hate driving, but I’m glad I can do it, although gas is expensive and I don’t get paid as much as Tommy does.
As a Muslim, I take it upon myself to condemn terrorist attacks in the name of Islam to dispel misinterpretations used by terrorist organizations and Fox News alike. I don’t know about you, but democracy and freedom of speech are starting to look a lot like our daily horoscopes – it sure sounds pretty, but it’s far from reality.
I hope our elected Western leaders got a barrel of oil for attending the funeral of King Abdullah and perhaps caught a public flogging while they were there.
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