Hi Saudi arabia I am moving to Saudi arabia soon i have some questions can you help Thank you.

Question

Hi ii people of Saudi arabia

We are moving to Saudi arabia we are Americans and my husband found work in Saudi Arabia so we will be there next week, i have a 17 year old Daughter that does nt want to go,she hates traveling and also the thought of being and living in another country makes her crazy,she doesn't now about the culture because she never been there,she just heres ShiTT from CNN ,i have questions i hope you can ans were !

1.Should the (Hi jab) always be on head ?

2.If someone asked if she is Christian should she answer or not ?

3.In the schools should she were the Hijab ? & Is there any Uniforms ?

4.Do teens have parties there ?

5.Is Saudi arabia safe ?

6.Is there any Activities for teens there ?

Thank you alot for answering my questions,i usually never use Yahoo so i made this account to ask the falow citizens of Saudi arabia.

Answer 1

Hey

1.Yea no the streets she has to were hi jab.

2.yes she could ans were but in Saudi arabia no religion must me trained only islam.

3.No hi jab in school well in some maybe but the both s*x are not in the same school,Girls only or Boys only.

4.nooo Way

5.i dont now about that but i think there is ....

6.she will have friends if she sociable but a boyfriend they will call her a prostitute so ......

goooood luckkkkkk

Answer 2

Hi. From what you've said it sounds like you will be living in Riyadh. to answer your questions.

1. The Hijab only has to be worn when you go out. If you are living on a compound then you do not have to wear it. Plus you will have to wear an abaya when you go out as well but not on a compound.

2. If someone asks if she's christian she is allowed to say yes. No she wont get in trouble for it and she may answer questions if someone asks about her religion.

3. In general no she would not have to wear the Hijab at school. As for uniforms it depends on the school. The American school (where I go) does have a dress code but does not have a uniform. I believe the British School does have a Uniform and I know the Multinational School does.

4. Yes many teens have parties here but generally on the compounds (not out in public).

5. Saudi Arabia in my opinion is very safe. Although drivings much crazier here the crime rate is very low.

6. As for activities theres shopping, doing stuff on the compound and hanging out with friends.

7. As for if she likes it here in Riyadh that really depends on if shes willing to give things a try. She really wont know what to think till about a month after she gets here when shes gotten over being jetlagged with the timezone difference.

She shouldnt have a hard time making friends. As for a boyfriend that depends on her.  

If you have any more questions feel free to contact me.

Answer 3

I agree with "mintee". She`s told u what i really wanted to, and most of her answers are admirable. I believe she gave a good idea of your prospective destination, and pictured it very well. However, regarding the first question I may have a different view than hers!

1- I believe westerners shouldn`t put hijab on their heads all the time. I can daily see tens of westerners living and practicing their daily life activities without putting it, it`s all that you`d be attracting less attention when putting it, plus you may even gain more respect from everyone showing resident people how much you respect their religion, culture and customs just by putting it. So, I`d go with wearing the hijab option, which isn`t a must!

2- Totally agree with mintee, no one will ask unless he/she is getting close to her, and just for curiosity I believe. A neighbor maybe, or a friend.

3- Well, she doesn`t have to. Some international schools have uniforms, but I think most of them don`t.

4- Oh yah! I used to attend/arrange parties every weekend or at least twice monthly. Parties are usually held in private compounds` halls, or houses.

5- Definitely.

6- Not really. This is the biggest problems to face teens living in Saudi. But again, I agree with mintee!

7- Dating is generally not allowed, but it is for westerners. Believe it or not! No kissing in public is allowed, yah I agree on this. Yet, she can have a boyfriend!!! I am Saudi, and used to date my g.f easily!

I believe one good way to help your kid in her current situation that will help her adopt easily to the upcoming destination`s life style is to let her come in here, read these answers, discuss issues related to Saudi and even ask Saudi people whatever she feels like!

_________________

Wish you good luck

Answer 4

hi .. first of all i really respected u 4 asking instead of believing all the (****) lool as u reffer 2 .. in the news about saudis  and saudia arabia :)

any ways back 2 the subject ..

1) the hijaab doesnt have 2 be on head and there are alot of saudis who dont even were hijaab ... so no u dont have 2 wear it at all ..

2) i dont think pple will ask that ... but if they do why not ? she should be proud of her religon .. and even if somebody asked her i think they will just ask out of coriousaty after they have met and got 2 know each other of course ... but who knows ppl might ask ..

3) of course she doesnt have 2 wear the hijjab in school cause our schools r seperated .. exept in international schools that im sure she will be going 2 and even there she doesnt have 2 wear the hijaab if she doesnt want 2 ... and uniforms depend i think on what school shes in if im not mistaken .. but ussually yes there r uniforms .

4) yup of course teen have parties there but then again it depends on the friends shes gonna make , if they have parties or not ... but ussually yup .

5) yes saudia arabia is safe but id preffer not letting ur daughter walking alone in the street ...

6) the activities it depends on what city ur in but generally ya there r .. i could name some activities in jeddah since i live there .. theres horseback riding  but the places 4 it r a bit far . there r alot of summer clubs that have diffrent stuff 2 do ...if ur comin in that time and if u want i can name u some gd ones latter just tell me.. there are places wre she can learn art if she likes ... she can join a gym ... there r some places that teach hip hop dancing if shes intrested ... mmm ... she can take french spanish or computer courses jewlery desighn and other stuff  ... there r sport clubs ... she can volunteer during the summer if shes into that kind of stuff :) ... o .. and believe me she will have tons of friends from diffrent nationalities even americans esspecially if shes goin 2 an international school ...but im not sure about the boyfriend thing .. lool ... by  the way there lots of things she will enjoy here in jeddah .. ( that is if ur comin 2 jeddah)

but im not sure obout the activities and such in other cities  its better if u ask somebody from thier :) .... o and we have great shoping .. but its way much better in ryadh ...  hope ive helped ... and feel free 2 ask anytime u want ..  ( o .. and by the way my anwsers could be a bit diffrent from the others because we may come from diffrent cities ) ..

i think jeddah unfortionattly  is the most opinest city ..feel free 2 contact if u have anymore questions :)

@ jack > by the way jack i just wanted 2 inform u that most saudies have white skin and colored eyes as well as blonds!!!!!!!!!!!! ... and we dont worship the floor u walk in .. why should we???? ! ... and by the way unless u learn how 2 talk in a nice respective way .. dont .. and i believe this question was asked for saudi citizens or non saudis who give usefull info  from experience ...

Answer 5

Activities are extremely curtailed for women in Saudi Arabia. However, if you are living in an American enclave, as is common, you'll have a bit more freedom. But I don't think it's safe to let a girl walk alone on the street.

Answer 6

Yea

Say truth

Yea she should wear hijab and there is uniform

Yea they can have

Yea Saudi arabia is safe if you dont spread your religion

Yea there are. You can join clubs.

When your daughter have friends so everything will be ok. There is no wine and pork. All these haram foods and drinks which are harmful to body are banned there.

You welcome.

Answer 7

I am also American-Saudi from the Mothers side and agree with Mintee. She is very trustworthy and tells it like it is.

Answer 8

Hi, I'm Italian and I live in Saudi Arabia since four years.

You did not mention where exactly are you going to live, becouse is different if you are going in a big city like Jeddah, for instance, or in a small town.

However, your husband's company will accomodate you and your family in a western compound, and the life in a compound is not bad at all, you get usually a nice house, a swimming pool, the gym and a driver to help you going out.

-I never wear the hijab, but only the abaya.

-You can say you are Christian, just do not show anything like a cross becouse is very offending for the locals.

-I go out on my own, but with the driver with me.

-I think your daughter will attend an American School, so no hijab or abaya in these schools,(trust me, I work there!), but sometimes an uniform can be requested.

-All the parties, for adults or teen, are held INSIDE the compounds, in private houses of course...and we party a lot, actually!

-Saudi Arabia is safer than meny other places in the world...and anyway a fantastic experience to get in contact with a very different culture.

-Mainly, not too many activities for teens. Be sure you choose a nice school, becouse a nice school means also a lot of extra activities.

-She is going to have friends of course, mainly her schoolmates and the other kids living in the compound.

Not very safe to have a boyfriend and to hang out with him!!!!

With the right approach, Saudi Arabia is not bad at all, trust me.

Good luck!

Answer 9

I'm not a Saudi but I've lived there for some time, I just answer your questions breifly:

1- No, the Hijab is not required, especially if you're not a muslim Saudi.

2- I don't think many people will ask her if she is Christian, but if they asked she should answer.

3- No, she is not required to wear the Hijab in the school. However, schools are s*x segregated and she will go to girls' school. There are uniforms in Saudi schools, but not the same uniform in all schools.

4- No parties for teens.

5- Saudi Arabia is very safe. Crime rate is very low. You feel very secure.

6- Saudi boys play football all the time, some rich Saudi boys go riding horses and camels in the desert with their fathers, there are also some  sport centres for girls,...no cinema, no theater, no concerts in Saudi!

---It depends on her.

--- She will have many friends there, but not a boyfriend. The police may arrest girls and women accompanied by non-mahram(who are not their husband or relative) men,.......

Answer 10

1. the only thing that is a must is the abaya (black robe) and it can be left open. head cover is not a must.

2. There is no problem saying youre christian. people here get really happy to meet other religions!

3. most schools are girls only. if she goes to a co-ed school, she doesnt have to wear a hijab. there are usually uniforms as most private schools have.

4. teens are always having parties here!!

5. i would say its the most safe country in the world. more than in america even!

6. there are many activities for teens!! my advice, join a gym and youll have a blast. thats where all the activities happen.

--i think shell have to adjust, but shell come to like it eventually.

---she will have LOADS of friends, and even a boyfriend..just shes going to have to be careful with having a bf. like no kissing in public, holding hands etc. having a bf is OK if the public doesnt know, otherwise there could be trouble with the cops.

im an american 17 yr old girl living here since 2005..if she has any questions email me!! [e-mail]

peace.

Answer 11

I am American-Saudi.. My mother comes from the American side.. I have many full Western friends from places as USA, England, Australia and more.. they have teen daughters..

You didnt state the area/region in which you will come to.. thats a big difference there.. Cause in Jeddah in the west and Khobar/Dammam in the east, both cities are very western and open minded. Riyadh in the center the capitol is the concervative area where they tend to stick to more stricter cultural ideals.

ok onto your questions

1. the scarf/hijab generally should be worn while going out.. its not a big deal when everyone else is doing it, so you just fit right in.. But having said this.. Ive now seen more moderate women, saudi's included that dont wear a scarf anymore and no one says or bothers them in this choice.. Im not sure if they tend to get more stares from the young boys, but they dont care obviously..

2. NO one will ask her about her faith.. people dont just go around asking this.. But if they do.. so what.. she can say she's Christian.. they wont care.. We have millions of foreign people here working that are Christian, jewish, hindu, buddist, and whatever else religion there is.. We are not niave to think all the imported workers are of Islamic faith and no one will beat you or think bad of you cause of it.. All the authorities ask is that you dont propogate your beliefs onto us.. And you can hold your worship services in the privacy of your own home, not in public..

3. NO. you dont have to wear scarf in school.. Some girls choose to, but your daughter will be going to an international school where there is mixed gender and other western teens/kids.. they dont use uniforms and dont care what you wear (as long as its decent and conforms to the rules about dress here in SAudi,  ie: no shorts, halters etc)

4. There is no open partying for teens here.. in fact teens dont mix or socialize in public here.. having said this.. in the privacy of western housing compounds the employees and residents can and do make many private activities for themselves and im sure there are teen activities inside..

5. SAudiArabia is far more safe that you realize.. crime is low. You are much more susceptable to a crime in USA than here.. You can (and your family) walk safely down any street and be fine..

6. NO teen geered activites here.. Its mostly family activites and indoor amusement parks with childrens fun rides.. I have to be honest, teens get bored here unless they are imaginative, make friends quick and organize their own private agendas to keep themselves busy.. some of the teens I chat with like it, some are bored out of their minds.. Absolutely no dating is allowed here (unless she is doing this inside your private living compound) so more than likely she WONT have a boyfriend.. (probably to the delight of her father, lol ).. sorry  

Answer 12

1- in ryiadh yes, in jeddah and khobar no

2-why not to answer?!! many many christians are living here as muslims.

3- yes she should/ abaya

4- yes but should not be mixed.

5- yes it's safe, follow rules and regulations

6- shopping at malls, going to gardens, non-mixed parties, restaurants, beaches (jeddah and khobar)

GL

Answer 13

as long as you have white skin  blond hair  blue eyes the saudis will bend down and kiss the ground before you.

they think white people are gods as without them they wont have none of the development they have currently

if you get any trouble just wave your US passport and they will kiss your backside.

oh yes air-conditioning definitely