We all know that our “allies” in Saudi Arabia subscribe to different values than we do, and that their religious views can only be described as fanatic. Here’s a quick reminder of just how fanatic they are. Fifty-seven men were arrested for flirting with women outside a shopping mall:
Saudi Arabia began interrogating 57 men Saturday who were arrested after allegedly flirting with women in front of a shopping mall in the holy city of Mecca, a local newspaper reported.
The country’s religious police arrested the men Thursday night, alleging behavior that included dancing to pop music blaring from their cars and wearing improper clothing, according to the Okaz newspaper, which is deemed close to the government.
The Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice runs the religious police, who are charged with enforcing Saudi Arabia’s strict Islamic lifestyle.
Its members patrol public places to make sure women are covered and not wearing make up, the sexes don’t mingle, shops close five times a day for Muslim prayers and men go to the mosque and worship.
The men will be released if they can prove they did not flirt with any women. Otherwise they will go on trial.
Why is it in Saudi it is “bad” for men to flirt with women, but it is OK for Saudi men to date boys dressed as girls? As we say in Texas: “Whoa!”
What Saudi Arabia needs is to move from the 15th century to the 21st – or treat men as women are treated and ban them (men) from driving, voting and leadership — and see how they like it.