The present term paper will try to compile the life and atrocities suffered by Saudi women, royals and commoners - the patriarchal society of Saudi Arabia, as well as the recent developments in Saudi Arabia with regard to women, both by taking references from the novels written by Jean Sasson as well as from the web sources.
Princess - A trilogy, which is written by international author Jean Sasson, is a heart stirring novel about the life of a Saudi Princess Sultana, which is testimony to a woman of indomitable spirit and great courage.
In this trilogy, Jean Sasson captured the flavours and reality of life in a country full of extremes and contradictions. Princess ‘Sultana’, a real Saudi princess closely related to king, lives those contradictions, with priceless jewels, many servants, unlimited funds at her disposal, but NO FREEDOM. Jean Sasson quotes princess ‘Sultana’ as, “A prisoner in a gilded cage with no vote, no control, and no value but as a mother of son, she is totally at mercy of the men of her life- her father, her brother, her husband’. In this novel, this bold Saudi princess gave an unvarnished look inside a closed society. ‘Sultana’ lifted the veil on the shocking world of forced marriages, sex slavery, honour killings and other outrages against women, both royal and common.
By telling her story and miserable life of women in kingdom, ‘Sultana’ risked the wrath of the Saudi people and for this reason, she told her story anonymously through the bestselling author.
This never forgetting real life story inspired me to write a term paper regarding society of Saudi Arabia, whose shimmers fade, when it comes to life of women
Table of Contents
Introduction
Saudi Arabia- a brief history
Laws Governing the Kingdom
Crimes of HUDUD
Crimes of TAZIR
Crimes of QISAS
Mutawas
Culture
Condition of women in Saudi Arabia
1. Male guardian
2. Namus
3. Hijab
4. Sex segregation
5. Education
6. Sports
7. Mobility
8. Family code
Marriage
Domestic violence
Children
Parental authority
Inheritance issues
9. Sexual violence and trafficking
Conclusion
Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the lives, societal restrictions, and human rights challenges faced by women in Saudi Arabia, drawing on Jean Sasson’s literary trilogy and current geopolitical and social analysis.
- The systemic patriarchal constraints enforced by the male guardianship system.
- The impact of Wahhabi religious doctrine on law, daily life, and the role of the religious police (Mutawas).
- The intersection of wealth, social status, and gender inequality within the Kingdom.
- Recent reforms and the evolving political climate regarding women's rights and civil liberties.
- The role of the international community and media in highlighting the plight of Saudi women.
Excerpt from the Book
Laws Governing the Kingdom
The criminal laws of Saudi Arabia adhere to strict Islamic precepts. The word ‘Islam’ means ‘surrender to the will of God’. The most important concept of Islam is the Shari’a, or the ‘path’, which embraces the total way of life ordained by God.
The primary source of law is the Islamic Sharia derived from the teachings of the Qur’an and judicial precedent. Saudi judges tend to follow the principles of the Hanbali school of jurisprudence (or fiqh) found in pre-modern texts and noted for its literalist interpretation of the Qur’an and hadith. Nevertheless, because the judge is empowered to disregard previous judgments (either his own or of other judges) and will apply his personal interpretation of Sharia to any particular case, divergent judgements arise even in apparently identical cases. Royal decrees are the other main source of law; but are referred to as regulations rather than laws because they are subordinate to the Sharia. Royal decrees supplement Sharia in areas such as labour, commercial and corporate law. Additionally, traditional tribal law and custom remain significant.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This section outlines the purpose of the paper, which is to investigate the status of Saudi women through the lens of Jean Sasson's literature and real-world developments.
Saudi Arabia- a brief history: This chapter provides a historical overview of the Kingdom's formation and the rise of the Al’Saud ruling family.
Laws Governing the Kingdom: This section details the judicial system, the influence of Sharia, and the classification of crimes into Hudud, Tazir, and Qisas.
Mutawas: This chapter focuses on the role, powers, and controversies surrounding the Saudi religious police in enforcing morality.
Culture: This chapter discusses the societal attitudes, religious observance, and traditional customs that shape daily life in Saudi Arabia.
Condition of women in Saudi Arabia: This extensive section explores the multifaceted restrictions on women, including the guardianship system, namus, segregation, and education.
Conclusion: This final chapter synthesizes the findings, noting that while small steps toward progress are being made, the path to gender equality remains long and complex.
Keywords
Saudi Arabia, Women's Rights, Sharia Law, Patriarchy, Male Guardianship, Jean Sasson, Princess Sultana, Mutawas, Gender Segregation, Human Rights, Wahhabism, Namus, Domestic Violence, Middle East, Social Reform.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The paper focuses on the life and atrocities faced by Saudi women, analyzing both royal and commoner experiences within a rigid patriarchal society.
Which thematic areas are covered in the work?
The work covers law, culture, education, the guardianship system, social segregation, domestic violence, and the role of the religious police.
What is the central research aim?
The aim is to compile a comprehensive understanding of the current state of women's rights in Saudi Arabia using a mix of literary references and objective web sources.
Which methodology is utilized by the author?
The author utilizes a qualitative comparative approach, juxtaposing the narrative accounts found in Jean Sasson’s novels with factual reporting and human rights data.
What is addressed in the main body of the text?
The main body details the legal framework (Sharia), the mechanics of social control (Mutawas, segregation), and the specific conditions that limit women's autonomy.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Keywords include Saudi Arabia, Women's Rights, Sharia Law, Patriarchy, Male Guardianship, and Human Rights.
How does the author view the 'veil' in the context of freedom?
The author discusses how the veil serves as both a tool of oppression and, paradoxically, a method of hiding for women seeking limited autonomy, though notes its efficacy as a 'freedom' tool is diminishing due to modern ID requirements.
Does the paper suggest that wealth grants women total freedom in the Kingdom?
The paper clarifies that while wealth can alleviate some logistical hardships, it does not exempt women from the male guardianship system, proving that oppression persists regardless of socio-economic status.
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- Khushmita Sandhu (Autor:in), 2014, Women in Saudi Arabia based on "Desert Royal" by Jean Sasson, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/282763
