Cover your Head Or Be a Traitor

The Jeddah Economic Forum JEF is an international event that I truly admire. For one thing, it is a multi-cultural event that addresses current global economic issues. Secondly, it is located in my home town Jeddah, a beautiful city with potential. Thirdly, and most importantly, it pisses a lot of people off.

Two years ago, Lubna Olayan  was accused of being un-Islamic and was blasted for her shameful behavior. What was so outrageous about her conduct? First of all, in an unprecedented move, she had the guts to defy the rules of gender segregation and addressed the 2004 JEF crowd without wearing a head scarf. Second, she presented herself as a woman with a vision, an even scarier thing to do since the role of women in the eyes of many Saudi men is to dust, cook and please. It didn’t matter that Olayan is an accomplished CEO whose estimated worth is $8 billion, what matters is that she is a woman. Well, what really matters is that although the religious authorities denounced her and warned of grave consequences to her actions, she became a symbol of women’s rights and landed a spot on the Time’s top 100 most influential people of 2005. In the eyes of many, she became a hero over night.

Today, the event is still proving its notoriety by angering another group of people. The two groups have something in common: they both like to remain in the dark and put a cover on whatever they consider shameful.

So, who is the conspirator this time around? 

It is none other than the former US vice president: Al Gore. What he did is that he dared to mention abuse of some Arabs and Muslims in the US after 9/11. To many right-wing conservatives, it didn’t matter that Al Gore talked about other important issues that face the world today, what matters is that: first, he is Al Gore so he better shut up. Second, he addressed the utmost of evil, the Saudis, therefore, he is a sellout and a traitor. The issue seems to gather heat and numerous accusations of disloyalty, very similar to responses to Olayan’s brave address in 2004.

So, yet again, the JEF achieved its purpose by being what it is famous for: a vilified event where powerful and courageous actions are taken.