Listen man. All I can say is that we in Pakistan have never had such problems. But letting a girl go on her own to such events or anywhere else is not acceptable. Not because of our culture, not because of Arabs from the GCC, but because of our religion. Women are the most powerful/terrifying beings known to man, but also the most vulnerable. We love them so much, that instinctively we want to protect them. I hope you understand what I am trying to say.
I don't know if some women attended on their own but usually (public gatherings such as festivals etc.) women are accompanied by men as well. Either relatives or a husband or female friends.
I had the same view of women (always looking for the safety of men) but I have met some of the most independent women of late, including relatives. I would have no doubt that they would be able to do well on their own even in Western societies like say the US but obviously you would worry as a relative or man either indirectly or directly.
Look when we become parents (a daughter for instance) we will be even more focused on such issues when she/they grow up (I cannot imagine anything else) but we must also understand that times and societies change. Women are not weak existences and already 1400 years ago Muslim women were engaged in practices that today are viewed as mainly "manly practices". Successful warriors on the battlefield, doctors, businesswomen, administrators (yes) and much more.
In KSA we need to make our sisters confident and for instance increase their work participation on the job market (ongoing process going the right way) and we must protect them against those who falsely claim that they cannot do anything or little on their own without the assistance of men. In fact such people are doing a disservice to them and whether they mix cultural practices (honor etc.) or purely religious, both are counterproductive IMO.
A move in the right direction ,but looking at some of the pictures posted above does make it seem their is still a long way to go ....
How exactly? Are headscarfs or the lack of it a sign of progress or a lack of it. Never heard anything more ridiculous in a long time here and that says a lot. That's a ridiculous statement. While we speak there are leading Saudi Arabian female professors and scientists in the West and at home wearing headscarfs and being hugely successful women.
There is also something called dignity. As for the first photo, it is a hilarious and harmless photo. As if women shyness/interest has anything to do with headscarfs or not.
BTW KSA is its own society. We have no interest in imitating Denmark for instance. Each society is different.
Certain people are just afraid of change or still competing about who can appear most religious although the "Sahwa era" is on its last legs. Reputation after all. It's more manly to say that women do not belong on football stadiums. Those who support it will be denounced by such people with such views as weak men etc. Just total nonsense. Just look at the faces of those people and you need to know nothing more.
