Turbulence is air movement that normally cannot be seen. It may occur when the sky appears to be clear and can happen unexpectedly. It can be created by any number of different conditions, including atmospheric pressures, jet streams, mountain waves, cold or warm fronts, or thunderstorms.
A young and ambitious Saudi female pilot has stirred some major turmoil in the oil-rich kingdom…
In Muslim societies, in which cultural, ethical and religious issues are highly valued, it is vital to take into account various sensitivities when it comes to dealing with the challenges of encompassing women in predominately male roles.
At the onset of the 21st century, traditional societies have been coping with more and more new and “explosive” issues – that, in the past, seemed quite foreign and distant. Among the matters focused on is the issue of the participation of females in numerous high-profile jobs including military roles, complex civil jobs etc.
In Saudi Arabia, the first Saudi female to receive a commercial pilot’s license has stirred some heated controversy.
An associate professor of Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University in the Saudi capital of Riyadh has objected to the hiring of a Muslim woman as a pilot.
In a statement issued in response to an advertisement by Prince Alwaleed ibn Talal, chairman of Kingdom Holding Co., congratulating Capt. Hanadi Zakariya Hindi for becoming the first Saudi woman to get a commercial pilot’s license, Sheikh Yousuf Al-Ahmad said the appointment was “un-Islamic”.
It should be noted that the status of women in society is neither a new issue nor is it a fully settled one, especially in modern times. Regarding woman's right to seek employment, it should be stated that Islam regards her role in society as a mother and a wife as the most sacred one.
However, there is no decree in Islam which forbids a woman from seeking employment whenever there is a need for it, particularly in posts which suit her nature and in which society needs her most. Examples of such professions are basically nursing, teaching and medicine. Furthermore, there is no restriction on benefiting from woman's exceptional talent in any sector.
Back to Al-Ahmad, who teaches Shariah law at the university - - according to him, Hindi’s job would require her to travel without a male guardian and would therefore lead to her mixing with men.
Prince Alwaleed, who has employed Capt. Hindi to work for his company’s fleet of private jets, recently purchased advertising space paying tributes to the first Saudi woman pilot in various local newspapers. The advertisements have prompted a negative response from the circles of religious conservatives.
In his statement, Al-Ahmad said the contract given to Capt. Hindi was unlawful as women should never be allowed to work as either pilots or airhostesses. For this reason, he said, even the ads were unlawful.
Capt. Hindi, 24, obtained her commercial pilot’s license earlier this year. Her success led to a ten-year contract with the Kingdom Holding Company.
It is interesting to see how yet another Muslim society has been dealing with such thorny issues. Until recently, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) academy has been all-male for over 55 years! However, currently it is going through some major and perhaps, dramatic, changes.
Women are now allowed to enroll on its aerospace engineering and fighter pilot programs. To the astonishment of many men, some of the female recruits will soon start flying jet-engine planes.
There are 10 women in two batches in the flying wing of the academy. Many more are competing with men in the engineering and aerospace wing. Until recently, most women in Pakistan would more likely have dreamed of marrying a fighter pilot than being encouraged to become one. However, this was not true for Saba Khan, one of four female cadets to make it through the first stages of training.
"I always wanted to be a fighter pilot, and eventually with Allah's wish and the full support of my parents, I made it this far," she said.
Saba believes the first batch of women could provide much-needed inspiration and hope for many other girls, who may eventually follow suit.
My friend the Imaam has to take our holly book (Quran) for his standard teaching, preaching and implementation of Islam and not the translations, interpretations and guesses that Zionists have made. Any Muslim; men or women who can serve and advance the Muslim societies are permitted and welcomed to do so. God says knowledge is unlimited and both men and women can obtain it. So please stop working for Zionists and think how you can advance your Muslim world. Allah Akbar !
John (real John), Canada, (2005-07-06 , 02:23) - Reply
Are you now blaming the jews for Islam's oppression of women?
Wow never ever do I cease to be amazed at what muslims will blame on jews. Simply pathetic.
John (real John), Canada, (2005-07-07 , 14:50) - Reply
you have no ability to show any form of reasoning, animals do but you do not. Pathetic lies of the gas chambers are regular joke across the REAL free world. Of course you are hate filled from your the moment your male jackel fuc** a female jackel.
John (not the muslim fraud), Canada, (2005-07-08 , 23:38) - Reply
Are yo ucliaming that all jews are descendents of jackals? Wouldn't that make Abraham, Moses. Jesus and all other so-called "muslims prophets" animals? If so then I guess that makes you a blasphemer and yo should be sentenced to death as under muslim law.
By the way (as I have stated several times in the past): I AM NOT JEWISH YOU IDIOTS!! But I have been to Israel and do realize that the world must unite with Israel in destroying the cancer of islamic fundamentalism.
WE WILL WIN JUST AS WE BEAT THE NAZIS!!
You are joking if you can take the words of a Jew. They are shrewd. They have bad intentions and they will stabb you from behind when you are not aware.
are you referring to the holocaust? you don't think it happened? i'm sure your imam told you it's all a lie... how pathetic... it's a wonder you have enough sense to breathe.
Come on, we all know what our law says. Lets stop crying everytime someone points out one of our shortcomings. The text is available to many people and they will find the truth sooner or later!
Let's not get into a war of insults.
Also, let's be aware that regardless of what Bush and like-minded think, you cannot change a society from the outside, especially through pity and/or self-righteousness. So please do not becry the "barbaric" or other behaviors of Middle Eastern societies and/or pity them if you do not have a stake in them by A) living there, or: B) having family who live there.
I was heartened to see that the focus of this article was on the actions of two Saudi citizens for this reason.
A question for those who write "Sure, blame the Jews". This is only one of many times I've seen this phrase pop up on the web. Is there a concerted monitoring effort going on? Or do you just think it's snappy to repeat old lines?
To the Arabs who are Muslim: you have what you need in your law. Take responsibility for yourselves. Don't be miserable.
I find the language of this article insulting. Should we Muslim women always bear the burden of the "sensitivity" factor at the cost of our own rights, and at great personnal insult?
While progress in women's rights must be made in context to the limits of society's tolerance, I see no need for the author to be apologetic to a system and its proponents that have systematically been UNapologetic ally INsensitive to women's dreams and aspirations as individuals and as productive, intelligent human beings -- your mothers, wives, sisters, grandmothers.
Is Al Bawaba endorsing and reinforcing the notion that women are only suited to be caregivers and nurses? What about women mixing with men in medical and educational institutions? I challenge the author to find a hospital, an elementary school, high school or university that has no male staff! Why is it that an unexceptional male may go into teaching -- a supposed women's role -- but only an "exceptional" woman can do otherwise?
As a female business owner, currently in early negotiations with senior male executives at Al Bawaba, I know that the author's blundering prose does not reflect the graciousness and professionalism that I have thus far encountered.
I applaud both Captain Hindi and Prince al-Waleed for their courage. Their progressive actions, as well as those like them, are and will be the KEY determination in providing Islamic societies with a chance to redeem themselves.
Women are at the core of society, yet they often suffer the most in times of hardship, and benefit the least in economic prosperity -- putting others' needs ahead of their own. Studies show again and again, if you want to reduce poverty; take care of orphans and widows, and; aid the disenfranchised -- all breeders of war and strife -- then financially empower that society's women.
to you. May the forces of intelligence, tolerance and understanding help you achieve the influence necessary to improve things for the common people in the middle east in you quest to drive evil and ignorance from the middle east.
maybe some day the arabs, will accept they are the stron, (2005-07-06 , 03:51) - Reply
ger sex and will allow them the power to rule with compassion and intelligence. Something that arab men obviously lack. someday they will save us from evil with their natural ability to resist the whisperings of the shayat.
In Bangladesh for the past sevaral years women have been allowed to join the army as officers. They have gone through the same rigorous training in the Bangladesh Military Academy and have been commissioned as officers.
How much longer is it going to take before the Muslim world throws off the antiquated shackles hindering their progress. A lot of the western ideals are what has contributed and cotinue to contribute to the prosperity of western societies. The muslim world need not espouse western culture in its entirety to progress. They need to make a critical assessment of what works and take it on board (allowing for some tweaking or fine tuning where necessary). Allowing female pilots is but a miniscule step of the changes needed to expedite the Muslim world progress. Give women a chance and watch them rise to the challenge and outdo their male counterparts.
Who keeps coming up with this Zionist rubbish - the article clearly states that someone in Saudi Arabia is unhappy with this woman being a pilot - that's a muslim interpreting the Koran, or his twisted version of it and not someone of another religion. Stop advancing your badly argued agenda on this forum.
they(muslims) never take responsibility for their shortcomings - it's always the fault of Israel, the U.S. or India(Hindu).
I sure hope the female pilot doesn't have to wear a burqua (sp)... might be hard to see ;)
of the victims NEVER the one who attacks first, ALL of humanity is wrong but jews are always right, what a screwball. What happens every morning jewish "women" have to remove ALL body hair that includes its ass.
i have heard the induction of women in Pakistan Air Force was started by the campaign of a young girl Bisma Nasim who herself wanted to b a fighter pilot in Pakistan and she struggled for her rights and ultimately PAF started the induction of girls..although, the girl due to her slightly weak eyesight was inducted into the aeronautical enginerring....THAT is a great news that women are coming forward n showing the patriotism
I wanted to point out some questions. Is It not jewish or american who lawfully allow women in their country to be sold as a service to any man who can afford some pre-set money? It is lawfully allow to by a women as a service in these countries namely usa.
Secondly jewish are blamed not for suppressing women but to mangle the words against us and in favour of them. Why dont you understand and start the fight.
If you want to make women free just free them at your country then to any other islamic country.
Your women are as suppressed as any other country.
So dont just laugh and change the direction. What Iman said was right.
It isn't legal to sell or enslave another human being in the US. Nor is it legal to discriminate against someone because of their age, gender, race or religion.
Why didn't you use the real picture of Capt. Hindi on your promo for the article?
By using a picture of a woman with a black head cover, you are enforcing the stereotype of Muslim women that the West is always trying to advance. Shame on you!
Michelle (16 yr old), land of the free, (2005-07-19 , 05:20) - Reply
First off the first comment by the imaam was written by my father. I did not read Jews anywhere in his comment. It was directed to Zionists. So why assume Zionists are Jews or Jews are Zionists. I could convet to Zionism or Nihilism. Just as one could change his sex. It is never safe to assume anything in this world. And I would also like to point out that WE have lost the point of the article. As a lady and an American I believe in the freedom of choice. So power to the PEOPLE!!!! Not just the women or men or jews or muslims.
liala, united states, (2005-07-27 , 03:53) - Reply
i think the saudi men are shame on all the arab i watch them come to this country going out with whores cheating on there wives, drinking gambling ,, and hahaha they go back to saudia arabia to show off there no manly atitude on women in my opinion they can go to hell they know nothing about islam ,,or women rights ,they can go straight to hell
Iknow your tipe,you happily wallow inthe so called decadent usa but you do not want to leave,you like-it too mutch,you are only mad at the Saudis did not want to go out with you the hipprokit.
Gender is not a problem when the well is there. Good luck
What does have to do with religion? Judism or Islam? I wonder!!
There are Jewish pilots, why not moslems?
Becoming a first Saudi woman to hold a commercial pilot's license was one of my dreams. I have considered it a passion and an important step towards changing Saudi society. I have not achieved that dream but I feel it have been achieved through you Hanadi.
I don't think that you have paid attention to the negative opinions about your career choice because of the type of young woman I assume you are. It is a personal career choice and one of your rights that shouldn't have been discussed by others.
Your career choice is one of countless choices Saudi women are deprived of, thank you for opening this door for them.
US wants to creates democracy and women freedom throuout the world. What about its own people?
I want to see a female president in the US in the next election, Now how is that?
I do not think they will allow a female to rule them.
I therefore, must say they should shout up and mind their own business.
Otherwise proof it, buy, signing up the koyta protocol, Nuclear non-poliferatin treaty and instead of burning all the left over food every year give them in Africa and Asia
waqar khan, pakistan, (2005-08-04 , 03:25) - Reply
Ms.Hindi.Let me congratulate you over your historic achivement.It will encourage the other ladies of the muslim world.(Can i have her direct e-mail please).
muslim girl, mistey world, (2005-08-04 , 15:11) - Reply
i dont think that we women have to prove anything to anyone anymore coz we already did! we proved that we can do whatever men can do and even do it better.. but we dont have to go againest our religion rules to prove we can compete with men in this feiled too.. and yes shame on any man or company who ignores our religion rules in anyway.. i encourage every woman who knows what she wants and go for it but hind if u were wearing a head veiled or if u were allowed to travel alone i'd ve congratulated u from all my heart..
A message to “Muslim Girl”: if you don't realize your right of equality as a human being, regardless of your gender, you are not alive.
Wake up people and stop allowing men to treating you like inferior creatures.
remmerber, they are not "better" than you in any way.
I m very happy to know that a mislim girl got a Pilot, its a pleasure and proud of us. keep it up and prove yourself that muslim girls can do every thing even in homes or in the sky. Allah Bless the Muslim Girls..Amin.
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