Oslo Freedom Forum | Manal's Speech.

MANAL AL-SHARIF is a women’s rights activist from Saudi Arabia and is one of the primary organizers of the Women2Drive campaign, which advocates for women’s right to drive in Saudi Arabia. She garnered international attention after posting a video on YouTube of herself, driving, in an act of civil disobedience. In retaliation, the Saudi government detained al-Sharif and charged her with “disturbing public order" and “inciting public opinion." She was released nine days later, after an international campaign on her behalf.

Here is her speech from the Oslo Freedom Forum. 


Feel free to follow her and support her via Facebook or Twitter. My favorite quote from her.

"Because my mother couldn't change my present,I decided 2 change my daughter's future" Manal Al-Sherif. 

Picture Friday| Old boats at Jeddah Fish Market.

Lost in translation!

Here is a sign that has been translated into English. It is supposed to say "sale of slaughtered chickens." how funny and wierd at the same time!

Another Mosque in Jeddah

This is a HDR image of one of many mosques lining the beach in the city of Jeddah.

Abaya Barbie

I was surprised to find this on eBay. It is much more modest compared to the latest mermaid Barbie in the USA!

Women 2 Drive

Saudi Arabia does not allow women to drive, by law women are not allowed medical treatment without the permission of her father, husband, or adult son. Manal Al-Sherif discusses the issue with Christian Amanpour on CNN.

If you want to stay up date with her campaign feel free to use favorite social media to do so.

Facebook or on Twitter.

How many people does it take to plug in a printer?

Well if you are in Saudi Arabia the answer may be four or more based on your experience. Recently we purchased commercial all in one printer from a well-known distributor in the Kingdom. This is how the receiving and installation process went.

Day 1- We received our printers in the new office. A Bangladeshi guy delivered the all in one unit.

Day 2- Another representative came by to make sure the boxes were delivered. This time a Saudi he looks at three boxes and says Masha-Allah you have the printers and left.

Day 3- First a gentleman from Philippines comes to un-box the printers. Hour later another Saudi comes in to plug it in the wall and say Masha-Allah your printers have power and left.

Day 4- Indian technician comes in to setup the printer as it is a network printer.

Day 5- The Saudi gentleman from Day 3 comes in to take a short survey and says Masha-Allah everything is great.

There is a reason why I mentioned the nationalities of all the people involved here. In the Kingdom you can only hire Saudis or individuals from North America or Europe for high level positions. Saudis, other Arabs, and perhaps Indo –Pak nationals for IT related job. But no Saudi is to be assigned an IT job, which includes excessive work or field work. Delivery work, janitorial work, or any other work that requires one to sweat have to be from 3^rd world countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Srilanka, Philippines, or part of Africa.

I understand it was a printer and not a light bulb and the Saudis were the blonds but you get the point.