‘When’ – Western Voices World News

by Wajeha Al-HuwaiderIn a satirical poem titled "When," posted on Arabic reformist websites including <a href=”http://www.aafaq.org/”>www.aafaq.org</a> , reformist Saudi author and journalist Wajeha Al-Huwaider lamented what she regards as the conditions in the Arab world. In the introduction to this poem, she wrote: "’When’ is an ode to the troubles of the Arab citizen. Both men and women participated in its [writing, and it is still open to additions. This ode will be hung on the walls of the palaces of the Arab rulers, [1 so feel free to add you contributions." The following are excerpts from the poem: "When you cannot find a single garden in your city, but there is a mosque on every corner – you know that you are in an Arab country… "When you see people living in the past with all the trappings of modernity – do not be surprised, you are in an Arab country. "When religion has control over science – you can be sure that you are in an Arab country. "When clerics are referred to as ‘scholars’ – don’t be astonished, you are in an Arab country. "When you see the ruler transformed into a demigod who never dies or relinquishes his power, and whom nobody is permitted to criticize – do not be too upset, you are in an Arab country. "When you find that the large majority of people oppose freedom and find joy in slavery – do not be too distressed, you are in an Arab country. "When you hear the clerics saying that democracy is heresy, but [see them seizing every opportunity provided by democracy to grab high positions [in the government – do not be surprised, you are in an Arab country… "When monarchies turn into theocracies, and republics into hybrids of monarchy and republic – do not be taken aback, you are in an Arab country. "When you find that the members of parliament are nominated [by the ruler, or else that half of them are nominated and the other half have bought their seats through bribery… – you are in an Arab country… "When you discover that a woman is worth half of what a man is worth, or less – do not be surprised, you are in an Arab country… "When you see that the authorities chop off a man’s hand for stealing a loaf of bread or a penny, but praise and glorify those who steal billions – do not be too surprised, you are in an Arab country… "When you are forced to worship the Creator in school and your teachers grade you for it – you can be sure that you are in an Arab country… "When young women students are publicly flogged merely for exposing their eyes – you are in an Arab country… "When a boy learns about menstruation and childbirth but not about his own [body and [the changes it undergoes in puberty – roll out your prayer mat and beseech Allah to help you deal with your crisis, for you are in an Arab country… "When land is more important than human beings – you are in an Arab country… "When covering the woman’s head is more important than financial and administrative corruption, embezzlement, and betrayal of the homeland – do not be astonished, you are in an Arab country… "When minorities are persecuted and oppressed, and if they demand their rights, are accused of being a fifth column or a Trojan horse – be upset, you are in an Arab country… "When women are [seen as house ornaments which can be replaced at any time – bemoan your fate, you are in an Arab country. "When birth control and family planning are perceived as a Western plot – place your trust in Allah, you are in an Arab country… "When at any time, there can be a knock on your door and you will be dragged off and buried in a dark prison – you are in an Arab country… "When fear constantly lives in the eyes of the people – you can be certain that you are in an Arab country." ==[1 This is an allusion to the Seven Mu’allaqat, famous sixth century odes which, according to Arab legend, were hung in pre-Islamic times on the walls of the Qa’ba in Mecca.

2007-05-21