scholarly journals Women and Words in Saudi Arabia

1995 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-276
Author(s):  
Sherifa Zuhur

Arebi embarks on cultural analysis via the literary work of ninecontemporary Saudi women writers in this thoughtful and provocativediscussion of gender and literary production at a significant historicaljuncture for Saudi women. The import of this discussion for and aboutMuslim women, by a Muslim woman, exists not only in its particularcountry context but also in the troubling debate now raging over personalexpression and commitment to "feminist" reform versus Muslimperceptions of a continuing ideological invasion that is heavily influencedby western political hegemony. I need not even mention the nameof Taslima Shahin for readers to acknowledge some degree of anguishin our sharp disagreements over the issue of gender versus culture.The voices of these female Saudi writers range from the avant-gardeto conservative "journalese," and Arebi contends that they illustrate thecomplex nature of female discourse in an Arab-Islamic context. However,she seems to have backed into asserting a unique and nonfeminist positionfor Saudi women, using such slogans as "quality not equality," althoughthe subjects of her study often write otherwise. Arebi arrives at this analyticalquandary by a similar route that has been followed by other sincerescholars and observers. As Leila Ahmed commented some years ago:It is only when one considers that one's sexual identity alone (andsome would not accept even this) is more inextricably oneselfthan one's cultural identity, that one can perhaps appreciate howexcruciating is the plight of the Middle Eastern feminist caughtbetween those two opposing loyalties, forced almost to choosebetween betrayal and betrayal ...

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 138-156
Author(s):  
Sahar Ejeimi ◽  
Diane Sparks ◽  
Ruoh-Nan Yan

Purpose The purpose of this study was to collaboratively design eight professional dress ensembles incorporating Hejazi tribal embroidery and to evaluate Saudi female academics’ perceptions about those ensembles as appropriate for professional attire. The concept aimed to offer the potential for increased cultural identity by wearing modernized ethnic dress as everyday workplace attire that was relatively practical, affordable and expressive of Saudi cultural identity. Design/methodology/approach The goal in this research was to engage Saudi female academic professionals in designing clothing that integrated Saudi textile and costume traditions into contemporary styles appropriate for the academic work environment. Two models guided the research. The FEA model (Lamb and Kallal, 1992) was used to organize the questions in the survey questionnaire around an integration of culture with functional, aesthetic and expressive aspects of apparel. The second model guiding the research was an adaptation of the USAP participatory co-design model (Demirbilek and Demirkan, 2004). This model was used to engage study participants in the design process. Findings Qualitative results showed that participants were willing to wear the garments in this study, as the garments represented heritage, looked contemporary in terms of style lines, had comfort and interchangeable garment components, embroidery and printed fabric, fabric used in garment designs and color. Quantitative results showed that the ratings for the final garments were generally higher than the first sketches in the first phase. Results of the eight designs in the collection revealed that the aesthetic aspect was the most referenced by the participants among the FEA aspects. Results also indicated that silver waves design received the highest rating among the designs in terms of FEA aspects. Originality/value This research provides greater understanding of the ethnic culture of the Western region of Saudi Arabia for Western scholars. Previous research has indicated an interest in having garment manufacturing take place in Saudi Arabia (Turkustani, 1995). Findings from this research may lead to future study on the state of apparel production in Saudi Arabia and the potential feasibility of establishing a center for training in digital technology to support small business opportunities for Saudi women who are trained for work in the apparel industry.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alia Afiyati ◽  
Divya Widyastuti ◽  
Yoga Pratama

In a literary work, two characters can be narrated as the attention center that contains the cultural identity from certain generation. Meanwhile, a symbol actually can cause an interaction within characters. This research discusses about cultural identity and symbolic interactionism reflected in a novel. There is a novel entitled “Recipe for a Perfect Wife” by Karma Brown that tells about two female characters that are represented as a housewife from different generation. This research uses descriptive qualitative as the research methodology and content  analysis as the method in analyzing the object of the research, a novel entitled “Recipe for a Perfect Wife”. This research also uses the intrinsic approach to analyze the characterization, plot, and setting. This research reveals two kinds of a housewife. They are a housewife and working woman, and a full-housewife. This research finds five cultural identities in the past and present time that is related with a housewife reflected by two female characters in the novel by using cultural identity theory by Stuart Hall. This research also reveals the symbol and memory even three concepts of symbolic interactionism that is mind, self, and society based on symbolic interactionism theory by George Herbert Mead.


2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (02) ◽  
pp. 1850013 ◽  
Author(s):  
AMAL A. BASAFFAR ◽  
LINDA S. NIEHM ◽  
ROBERT BOSSELMAN

Although traditional cultural norms have tended to impede Saudi women’s engagement in entrepreneurship, there are successful female business owners in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government, seeing female entrepreneurship as a way to strengthen both the family unit and the economy, has recently created programs to encourage more women to become business owners. However, few women have taken advantage of these programs to date. This study aimed to identify factors that enable female business owners to realize their entrepreneurial potential. Nine business-owning women were interviewed for this phenomenological study. Drawing on Kreuger and Brazeal’s Model of Entrepreneurial Potential (MEP), the study investigated Saudi female entrepreneurs’ perceived self-efficacy, perceived desirability, perceived feasibility and propensity to act on entrepreneurial opportunities. Currently, limited empirical research exists on women’s entrepreneurial activity in Saudi Arabia. This study sought to fill that gap. Results from this study revealed unique strategic approaches and business success factors from the perspective of Saudi women, including their ability to work within or around cultural norms and rules to operate their businesses. The study suggests ways in which Saudi society can support women in realizing their entrepreneurial potential and also makes policy recommendations for government and business support entities.


2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghaith F. Abu Zeinah ◽  
Sadeer G. Al-Kindi ◽  
Azza Adel Hassan

Palliative Care (PC) is still a relatively new concept in the Middle East (ME). It was first introduced in Saudi Arabia in 1992 and only recently in countries such as Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE. Although the majority of Middle-Eastern countries, including Palestine, Iraq, Oman and Lebanon are in the capacity building phase, others such as Saudi and Jordan already have localized provision. In the absence of any of the ME countries approaching integration with the mainstream service providers, Saudi Arabia and Jordan are currently setting examples of achievement in the field. There are still countries with little or no known Palliative Care activity (Yemen and Syria). Political issues, scarcity of resources, and lack of education and awareness seem to be the common factors restricting the progress of this field in most countries. In order to improve the suboptimal PC services in the ME, emphasis should be directed toward providing formal education to professionals and raising awareness of the public. It is also necessary to put all differences aside and develop cross-border collaborations, whether through third party organizations such as the Middle East Cancer Consortium (MECC) or otherwise. This review compiles the available literature on the history and progress of the field of PC in most ME countries, while pointing out the major obstacles encountered by the active parties of each country.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah D Alanazi ◽  
Jan Šlapeta ◽  
Abulaziz Alouffi ◽  
Nichola Calvani ◽  
Mohamed Alyousif ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Vector-borne diseases have been increasing worldwide and reported in many animals including dogs and cats. Limited or no data are currently available regarding canine and feline vector-borne diseases in Saudi Arabia and limited information is available from other Middle Eastern countries. The aim of this study was to compare vector-borne disease prevalence between two bio-climatically distinct regions of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh province that is arid positioned at low elevation and Asir province that is humid at high elevation. Methods: Blood samples from 74d ogs from Riyadh province and 70 dogs and 44 cats from Asirprovince were collected and examined for the presence of genomic DNA of Babesias pp, Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichias pp., Bartonella spp., Mycoplasma spp., and Hepatozoon spp. by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Multiplex-tandem PCR (MT-PCR) and Sanger sequencing.Results: Seventy four dogs were tested from Riyadh province and found be negative of any pathogen. Of the 70 dogs examined from Asir province 45(64.3%) were positive. Specifically, 40 (57.1%) dogs were positive for A.platys, 20 (28.5%) for B.vogeli, 11(15.7%) for My.Haemocanis, two (2.85%) for Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum and one (1.4%) for Br.henselae. Fourteen out of 44 cats (31.8%) were positive for one of the detected vector-borne pathogens. Six cats (13.6%) were positive for Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum and My.haemofelis, respectively, four cats (9.2%) were positive for Br.Henselae, two (4.54%) for Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum and one (2.27%) for A. platys. Conclusions: The results of this study report the occurrence of A. platys, B. vogeli, Br. henselae, and My. haemocanis in dogs and of A. platys, Br. henselae, My.haemofelis and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum in cats from Asir province Further molecular investigations are strongly recommended in order to reduce the risk of dogs and cats acquiring vector-borne diseases in Saudi Arabia.


Author(s):  
Syed Akhtar Hussain Bokhari ◽  
Kawthar Almumtin ◽  
Wala Mohammed Alhashiem ◽  
Duaa youssef Albandar ◽  
Zainab Nouh Alyahya ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) experience among married females in Saudi Arabia and provide an exploratory data for subsequent primary prevention. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted at a general hospital in Hofuf, Saudi Arabia. All married women attending the general hospital from March 1st to April 15th, 2021 were requested to participate. Data was collected on a validated self-reported questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic factors, medical history, dietary pattern, and DMFT. Descriptive and regression analyses were performed using p ≤0.050. Results Four hundred forty-eight married females with the mean age of 30.81 ± 6.11 years, mean duration of marriage of 9.55 ± 6.58 years, and having average number of children 2.32 ± 1.69 participated in the study. 61.7% mothers had ≥10 years of education. 63.6% were non-working and 56.5% were found with low family income. 66% participants reported of doing exercise less or more often yet 51.7% were ≥overweight. Consumption of energy drinks and dairy products was found significantly associated with increasing number of DMFT. Use of fluoridated toothpaste and dental visits was also found associated with increasing number of dental caries. Increasing age (p = 0.040), increasing number of children, and middle family income were also significantly associated with higher DMFT, respectively (p = 0.002, p = 0.022). In multi-logistic adjusted analysis, only consumption of dairy products, dental visits, and the unsure status of the use of fluoridated toothpaste were significantly associated with DMFT ≥1. Conclusion DMFT status in married Saudi women was associated with participants' dietary habits, oral health-related practices, family income, married years, and number of children.


Author(s):  
Ali Mustafa Qamar ◽  
Rehan Ullah Khan ◽  
Suliman Alsuhibany

COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by World Health Organization in March 2020. Since then, it has attracted the enormous attention of researchers from around the world. The world has gone through previous instances of corona-viruses such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome. Nevertheless, none was of these were of this serious nature as COVID-19. In this research, we carry out a bibliometric analysis of coronavirus research using the Scopus database. However, we restricted ourselves to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The analysis was performed using Biblioshiny software. We analyzed 4288 articles written by 24226 researchers from 1994 till 2021, published in 1429 sources. The number of authors per publication is 5.65. A bulk of the research (more than 68%) appeared in the form of articles. More than 43% of the publications appeared in 2020 and more than 44% in 2021. Saudi Arabia appears the most-cited country, followed by Qatar. Journal of Infection and Public Health published the most number of papers, whereas New England Journal of Medicine is the most-cited one. Memish, Z.A. wrote the maximum number of papers. The top source, according to the H-index, is the Journal of Virology. Furthermore, the two most prolific universities are King Saud University and King Abdulaziz University, both from Saudi Arabia. The research uncovered deep learning as a niche theme used in recent publications. The research landscape continues to alter as the pandemic keeps on evolving.


Author(s):  
Azeem Gul ◽  
Rizwana Karim Abbasi ◽  
Syed Arslan Haider

The strategic rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran has been worsened for the last two decades. This historical sectarian divisions led by Saudi Arabia and Iran has now morphed into a struggle for regional influence between Shia political power led by Iran and Sunni political power led by Saudi Arabia. Against this backdrop, the study examines the contours of the Middle Eastern security in the context of Saudi and Iran strategic rivalry in various conflicts such as crisis in Syria, Yemen, and situation in Iraq including proxy wars and Iran’s nuclear program. The study finds out that the security situation of the Middle East would have been much better if Saudi and Iran would have cooperated on various issues such as Yemen and Syrian crisis. In addition, the internal vulnerabilities of the Middle East with Iran and Saudi strategic antagonism provided opportunities to the external power intervention that further has intensified the conflicts in the region. The study concludes that the solution of the Middle Eastern problem would lie in building cooperation between Iran and Saudi Arabia relations and in this respect the current rapprochement between the two states is a positive development for Middle Eastern security.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1439-1448
Author(s):  
Samia S. Barghash ◽  
◽  
Hatem Abdel Moniem Ahmed ◽  
Modhi K. Al-Baker ◽  
◽  
...  

Background: Heavymetalscontaminationincosmeticproducts isbecoming animportant healthprobleminboth worldwide and locally at the level of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).The aim of this study was to detectthe concentration of heavy metals in the most commonly used eyeliners purchased in Saudi Arabia. Also, to assesssafetyawarenessoftoxicelementsofmostconcernheavymetalsin cosmetics. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was designed and distributed electronically in Saudi Arabia in November 2015.The questionnairewas conducted on 769 Saudi women aged from15-60 years old that is using cosmetic products. Secondly, 10samples from 10 different types of eyeliners frequently used in Saudi Arabia were digested. The digested sampleswere analyzed for lead, cadmium andmercury using graphite furnace- atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS). Results:Themajorityofcosmetictypesusedbyparticipantswereeye-linerkohl(73.9%).About(34.59 %) of participants were not aware about heavy metals contents in cosmetics. The heavy metals, cadmium, lead andmercury were detected in all samples with varying concentrations. The level of lead was the highest. There was asignificant difference of cadmium, lead and mercury concentration p< (0.05) in different brands of eyeliner. Therewasstatisticallysignificant difference betweencadmiumandlead alsobetweenmercuryandlead p<0.05ofdifferenteyelinerbrands. Conclusion: It was foundthatthemajorityofparticipantsexpectedthatexpensivecosmeticsaresafe and theypreferred internationalbrandswhichisnotnecessarytobesafe.


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