Even Saudi is succumbing to modernity, fine arts, dance and festivities

[Badlun]

Last night I was invited to a Saudi function presided over by a prince from Saudi. It was an utter surprise for me when I saw the ambiance of the function. It was totally western. We were received by young beautiful girls without any veil with open hair.

Almost all the guests from Saudi Arab were clean shaved or with no beard but mustaches( there is a hadith to grow beard and shave mustaches). The dishes were served in full western style. Mixed people both men and women were eating and drinking standing or sitting.

The climax was when they started a dance party where a traditional dance was presented by a group of Arabs which was very much similar to Atanrh of Pashtuns except having swords in their hands and a flag of Saudi Arabia on the style of Shia processions in Muharram . There was music mainly played by traditional instruments. The prince also joined the show and all were dancing and merry making.

I was thinking of poor Pashtuns who are still loyal to the so called religious injunctions that music, dance and mixing of men and women are forbidden and their lives are just limited to eating, sleeping and producing children!

[Karachi]

Just like every muslim country, you will find every type of saudi, ranging from totally western/secular to totally radical religious

Though yes, many of the younger youth is totally westernized and modern there, despite all the restrictions, of course the royals were always westernized

also generally you will find that arabs over all are much more modern/westernized compared to countries like afghanistan/pakistan. Go to Lebanon, Egypt, Dubai, North Africa etc.... the radicallism there is much less and only in small pockets. Unfortunately Pakistan is where much of the world's radicalism is coming from and some parts of Africa

[Admin Khan]

It is in KSA strategic interest to keep AFPAK as backward and dependent as possible. They don't want another Iran in the region, AFPAK can certainly be formidable competitors in just about every sector; and that would be devastating. While KSA builds a university with an endowment the size of an American elite university(think MIT or Yale), it decides to build a mosque for Afghanistan instead. If you singletons can't smell the difference, than what can we expect of ordinary spera Pashtuns?

[Badlun]

Just like every muslim country, you will find every type of saudi, ranging from totally western/secular to totally radical religious

Though yes, many of the younger youth is totally westernized and modern there, despite all the restrictions, of course the royals were always westernized

also generally you will find that arabs over all are much more modern/westernized compared to countries like afghanistan/pakistan. Go to Lebanon, Egypt, Dubai, North Africa etc.... the radicallism there is much less and only in small pockets. Unfortunately Pakistan is where much of the world's radicalism is coming from and some parts of Africa

The case of Saudi is different as it is the champion of Wahabism, Salafism where there is no constitution and Quran is their constitution. The king is custodian of the two holy mosques and are spreading radical Islam in the whole world but themselves now they are getting westernized and modern.The function I attended was an official function where people from the royal family participated.

[Badlun]

It is in KSA strategic interest to keep AFPAK as backward and dependent as possible. They don't want another Iran in the region, AFPAK can certainly be formidable competitors in just about every sector; and that would be devastating. While KSA builds a university with an endowment the size of an American elite university(think MIT or Yale), it decides to build a mosque for Afghanistan instead. If you singletons can't smell the difference, than what can we expect of ordinary spera Pashtuns?

Yes KSA is building mosques everywhere including Afghansitan and Pakistan.

Recently I visited Hazara University and saw that construction was going on a huge mosque in the campus funded by KSA while the students did not have hostels and labs .

I asked the administrators that why they do not divert some funds from the mosque for other buildings, they said that even in the earthquake hit buildings they are not allowed by the Saudis to divert funds for other educational buildings. The mosque if you see can accommodate the whole population of the city.

[faye]

The function I attended was an official function where people from the royal family participated.

interesting life you live badlun. you sure get around.

[khushal]

one day badlun is at some royal function and the next he at the Hazara University. Are you diplomat Badlun?

[Badlun]

I am working with some UN projects and last night I was invited in a Qatar national day function. I was really surprised to see the abundance of drinks of all kinds, wine, beer, vodka, whiskey along with all kinds of meat , may be pork and all the Arabs were drinking , eating, dancing with loud music.

I thought of poor Pashtuns who are leading lives like dead people with no festivities waiting for heavens while the same Arabs who tell them that all these things are forbidden are themselves enjoying.

[Karachi]

^ somehow I dont believe you in the last post. No matter how modern/westernized they are. They wont do some of the things you have listed there. I have lived in the Gulf for far too long to know how they are and some things they just dont do it, at least openly

[Badlun]

^ somehow I dont believe you in the last post. No matter how modern/westernized they are. They wont do some of the things you have listed there. I have lived in the Gulf for far too long to know how they are and some things they just dont do it, at least openly

The function was not in Arab country but an European country where pork is very common. I did not see pork or could not differentiate it but there were all kinds of meat and no word of halal. All the cooks and waiters were non Muslim and non Arabs.

The drinks I could differentiate with all their labels. If you ask any other person , and if he or she happens to be in the similar function might have seen similar scenes especially in non Muslim countries. Qatar arranged similar functions almost in all countries of the world being their national day.

The invitees were not only Arabs or Muslims but people from many countries who were either reps in UN or local citizens. Yesterday was the national day of Qatar. It was an official function from the government of Qatar.

[ډګروال]

one day badlun is at some royal function and the next he at the Hazara University. Are you diplomat Badlun?

no
he is just full of it.

[DaZahroJaam.]

I thought of poor Pashtuns who are leading lives like dead people with no festivities waiting for heavens while the same Arabs who tell them that all these things are forbidden are themselves enjoying.

pashtuns dance and listen to music typically. perhaps not in the presence random strangers but that is how it ought to be. they don't drink alcohol or eat pork because doing such is not their definition of practicing being "alive". and i find it extremely disappointing that such is the case for you.


i came across this the other day and i was instantly reminded of you. cheers.

[RevolutionThroughReason]

I thought of poor Pashtuns who are leading lives like dead people with no festivities waiting for heavens while the same Arabs who tell them that all these things are forbidden are themselves enjoying.

really, the same exact Individual Arabs who were at the Party went to Pashtuns to tell them all these things are forbidden.

also as other members highlighted; Pashtuns party like zany rabbits; Ive never been to a Pashtun gathering where the kababs weren't cooking and men weren't spinning around like tops

you're being a tad bit melodramatic. lol