Comments on: US Public Diplomacy in Saudi Arabia http://xrdarabia.org/2008/03/05/us-public-diplomacy-in-saudi-arabia/ Informed comment and commentary about Saudi Arabia, reform, and its relations with the US Wed, 23 May 2012 23:26:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Aafke http://xrdarabia.org/2008/03/05/us-public-diplomacy-in-saudi-arabia/comment-page-1/#comment-12044 Aafke Thu, 06 Mar 2008 11:16:33 +0000 http://xrdarabia.org/2008/03/05/us-public-diplomacy-in-saudi-arabia/#comment-12044 I agree with Hope: why are desires for freedom and equality always referred to as ''western''? They are not the sole property of ''the west'' nor are they incompatible with Islam, and the description ''western'' will only serve to give fuel to those who oppose freedom. On the other hand, as we dó have a lot of freedoms in ''the west'' and they have by now been succesfully eliminated in countries like KSA, I understand the denomination. I just don't think it's a good thing. I agree with Hope: why are desires for freedom and equality always referred to as ”western”? They are not the sole property of ”the west” nor are they incompatible with Islam, and the description ”western” will only serve to give fuel to those who oppose freedom.

On the other hand, as we dó have a lot of freedoms in ”the west” and they have by now been succesfully eliminated in countries like KSA, I understand the denomination.
I just don’t think it’s a good thing.

]]> By: Hope Kiefner http://xrdarabia.org/2008/03/05/us-public-diplomacy-in-saudi-arabia/comment-page-1/#comment-12043 Hope Kiefner Thu, 06 Mar 2008 07:43:07 +0000 http://xrdarabia.org/2008/03/05/us-public-diplomacy-in-saudi-arabia/#comment-12043 I meant the former in that the "Modernized Saudi" is safer usage in a broader spectrum of people & ideals.... I meant the former in that the

“Modernized Saudi” is safer usage in a broader spectrum of people & ideals….

]]> By: John Burgess http://xrdarabia.org/2008/03/05/us-public-diplomacy-in-saudi-arabia/comment-page-1/#comment-12041 John Burgess Thu, 06 Mar 2008 06:21:33 +0000 http://xrdarabia.org/2008/03/05/us-public-diplomacy-in-saudi-arabia/#comment-12041 I don't consider him to be 'Westernized Saudi'. Just one who's interested in other cultures. I'm sure you know both kinds. I don’t consider him to be ‘Westernized Saudi’. Just one who’s interested in other cultures.

I’m sure you know both kinds.

]]> By: Ahmed http://xrdarabia.org/2008/03/05/us-public-diplomacy-in-saudi-arabia/comment-page-1/#comment-12039 Ahmed Thu, 06 Mar 2008 03:39:31 +0000 http://xrdarabia.org/2008/03/05/us-public-diplomacy-in-saudi-arabia/#comment-12039 What if he is comfortable with western mores and culture but not more than his own? What if he is comfortable with western mores and culture but not more than his own?

]]> By: John Burgess http://xrdarabia.org/2008/03/05/us-public-diplomacy-in-saudi-arabia/comment-page-1/#comment-12038 John Burgess Thu, 06 Mar 2008 03:05:32 +0000 http://xrdarabia.org/2008/03/05/us-public-diplomacy-in-saudi-arabia/#comment-12038 What I mean by 'Westernized Saudi' is a Saudi who is more comfortable with Western mores and culture than his own. It includes, but is not limited to, those who speak and read English better than they do Arabic. What I mean by ‘Westernized Saudi’ is a Saudi who is more comfortable with Western mores and culture than his own. It includes, but is not limited to, those who speak and read English better than they do Arabic.

]]> By: Ahmed http://xrdarabia.org/2008/03/05/us-public-diplomacy-in-saudi-arabia/comment-page-1/#comment-12036 Ahmed Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:04:04 +0000 http://xrdarabia.org/2008/03/05/us-public-diplomacy-in-saudi-arabia/#comment-12036 Kinda off-topic, but I want to ask: what is a 'westernized' Saudi? Is he someone who lived for a few years in the west, or someone who speaks English and promote liberal ideas, or something else? Kinda off-topic, but I want to ask: what is a ‘westernized’ Saudi? Is he someone who lived for a few years in the west, or someone who speaks English and promote liberal ideas, or something else?

]]>