I've been to Saudi and as a woman. I think their law is very UNFAIR and disgraceful however we should respect their culture and religion.

Arielle, Quezon City, Philippines

I hate this, I'm a muslim, but I'm not proud of it, our laws and people are unfair, but I'm proud of being muslim. I grew up in melbourne florida, when I came back to saudi arabia, I was surprised, I expected having a better life, but I guess I was wrong, women are people too!

Mohammad Alakil, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

to be honest, Saudi Arabia have stupid rules. I don't blame Yara for what she did, becasue she didn't know that. in fact, she was on business, not having a relationship.

Saleh, Kuwait,

she knew the rules there and she love it otherwise she wouldn't be there i was working in saudi for 7 years they r very friendly and kindly if u respect their religion and culture and they treat their women very very well. and if she doesn't like saudi so why she still there??

petter, London, UK

The UN must direct the World Court to indict Islam for the range of Human Rights abuses that continue under Sharia Law : child marriage and women as chattels issues, death for apostasy, stoning for adultery (of woman raped), revenge killing, etc. Nato & the US are protecting Afghan Sharia rule?

Chris A, London, Canada

We go to war over Oil & land but turn our backs on this kind of abuse to women. It's still a man's world. If they were treated this way nations would rush to help. It's not only the fault of the government of Saudia Arabia but other countries. We should all be ashamed.

Bonnie, Wexford, USA

you have sexual segregation, women are not more than objects and lock and key... to be subjugated.. one man's witness is equal to two womans witness... equally treated... enlighten us....

Haris, Dubai,

I find the Saudi Arabian laws disgusting and degrating to women. I am a man, and I have a gilfriend, and I respect women just as much as men. Why can't men and women be together in public? Why can't women walk around wearing what they want? Where I come from, women can do what they want! :)

Jon, København, Denmark

I have been working in Saudi Arabia for the last 10 years. In my knowledge, the Police in Saudi Arabia are highly disciplined, especially the Mutawwas' are very good religious people. They give utmost care to the people. I don't trust the story cited by the Lady Mrs. Yara.

Aftab Hashmi, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Im of Saudi origin and i think the western media has simply hyped the entire issue of women mistreated in arabia. If anyone who abides by the law then i dont see anything wrong. Well, in Saudi Arabia everyone is equally treated.

Ameer, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

I lived 20 years in Saudi Arabia.I am muslim and donot agree
about the way this woman was treated.Any way from what I saw over those years I advice the expatriate community to be careful specially this woman wore Hijab and was looked at by those religious men as muslim woman
Ahmed

Ahmed, Birmingham, UK

I know very little about Saudi Arabia. However, it seems to me that all known laws should be respected by visitors. There are many great men who have taught us how to change the world. Casual disobedience may cause sparks to fly, but true change requires courage, unity, and sacrifice.

DebR, San Jose, USA

I am of Saudi origin and I have lived in America for my whole life- thank god. For those who think America is arrogant and that Saudi Arabia is "protecting" women - well guess what?? It hates women.

Nur, matawan, united states

If you are raped over there- you need at least 3 witnesses to prove your case. You call that protecting women? Gives islam a bad name.

Nur, matawan, united states

The big issue here for me is the treatment of females in our world today. It's not about changing the views of a country or a way of life to fit American views but to move from the 20th century into the 21st where we have taken a stand against racism, genocide, sexism and segregation in general.

Andrew , SAN Luis Obispo, US

This is very selective, and wrong! people have to respect the religion and customs of the country they're visiting. What is wrong with a culture that protects women and seperates the sexes, this is not segregation, this is seperation, and people should not mix Saudi and American culture.

Jackie, Fayetteville, US

I can't believe what I'm hearing, some of you are quiet reasonable, but others are anything but. Insisting we should change the world to our views, and being arrogant enough to believe we have the right to tell people of another country how to live. No wonder so many people hate the United States.

Benjamin, Jacksonville, USA

If Sara is staying in Saudi she might very well respect Islam and the law of the land.For herself & her husband in order to gain financial profit she just cannot abuse the islamic code by mixing with westerners who are trying to bring thier western culture to our society. It just simple and straight

iftikar, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Firstly, she should know that, 1. It is not permissable in the religion of the country, Islaam, to be alone with another man not in her immediate family, 2. It is punishable by the law. If she knew this, why did she do it anyway? As Carri said, "If you can't respect the law, don't live here!"

Tanisha, Birmingham, UK

It should be abundantly clear to anyone outside such a system that this form of hyper-control over the people, especially women, is a form of chronic mental illness. Anyone doing this pattern of behaviour elsewhere would be institutionalized. Because it is "religion", it is accepted. Disgusting.

W. Halyn, Edmonton, Canada

I go to a private High school in Houston Texas which has alot of kids from Saudi. They are here because of their father working for Aramco. 9 out of 10 girls do not where anything on their heads or dress in anything conservitive. They have told me they don't like Saudi for it's strict laws.

Al Lesem, Houston, United States of America

As a non-muslim Canadian woman living in Riyadh, I am very aware of the laws of this country. It is my understanding that this case involved a woman who is a Saudi Muslim with american citizenship, and she should have been well aware of the laws here as well. I can't even get in a cab with a male co-worker unless I am also with my husband! Women can travel within the kingdom with their husbands permission, but it is difficult. She also came from Jeddah where the rules are quite a bit more relaxed, but she would have known that Riyadh is quite a bit more conservative. She also should not have gone with the Muttawa without her husband to accompany her, even if he had to fly in from Jeddah..that is her right! If you can't respect the law, don't live here!

Carrie, Vancouver, Canada

i just read a book ,,PRINCES SULTANA.. i can not believe things like that still go on in those countries i think it is worse than what hilter did to the jews i think something has to be done where orher countries should get involved, it is so sad for the women to live in a country with such laws you want to cry.....

paula, WHITESTONE , N.Y usa

It is just plain wrong! It makes no sense that the woman would be just fine if she had been up in a private office, but not in pubic with men. I would think if they were trying to be "moral" they would have reversed the law. It is obviously a control law to subjacate woman.
And the quotes on here that Christianity says the woman should be subservient to the man. I believe the Bible states that the woman was created to be a help mate. That is to help in the goals the man had to do which were to be the care taker of this world. Some men do think it is to serve them, but the Bible says it is a partner ship.
People who think this world would be better off with out "religion" may have something. But I think we need a relationship with the spiritual aspects of who Jesus was, his back ground, how he set women free, and charged everyone to take care of each other.

Karen, Springfield, Oregon

Saudi Arabia is a sovereign nation and free to make and enforce its laws. Their religion and culture oppress women, even going so far as to allow male family members to beat and kill girls and women if they transgress against Islam and the "law" of the land. I just read an article about a father who murdered his daughter after finding her on facebook conversing with a man. Does anyone think this man will be punished for this action?

I have a hard time believing that Islam is a religion of peace. I have no use for any religion but most don't force people to "convert or die." Additionally I can't understand why anyone, especially a woman, would even want to travel to such a country.

Rayanne Stemmler, Detroit, MI

Why are we allowing this to happen.But they can have our boys to died for all of them.

Tino, Westchester , NY

I am a non muslim male who will be shortly residing/working in Saudi. While it may sound that her rights have been abused in this case, the Saudi government has made it absolutely clear of their rules including the rule of being in public with someone of the opposite sex beside your spouse/relation. she should not even be travelling around Saudi without her husband....it is against their rules. if you do not like their rules, don't go to Saudi dude, as easy as that. leave it alone.

Wesley Kelly, Trincity,

its pretty sad that people like this should have the ability to represent an entire religion. Its the erligion that represents the people, and not the other way around. the religion of islam, believe it or not, is actually quite open to womens rights. in every religion, though, there are bad people. its sad that the saudis would do something like that, which is completely AGAINST their own religion.
i guess that sometimes, though, people get culture confused with religion.

Mary , Birmingham, Michigan

The actions of a few people? This was a government-sanctioned entity for God's sake (no pun intended). People don't blame Christianity for violence because - get this - Christians don't commit significant violence, at least in the name of Christianity. Bringing up ancient wars only proves my point further.

You'd think secular rationalists would better appreciate that wishing Islam to not be violent does not make it so, and perfecting snorts of derision in front of the mirror and looking up "alarmism" in the thesaurus does not change immigration and radicalization patterns.

Jon Kruk, Philadelphia, PA USA

A reply to Lance, Chicago, US:
your comment, "Yet people still believe Islam is such a "peaceful and loving" religion. OMG, wake up!" simply shows your ignorance. I can see how much you are influenced by the media. Do we make huge assumptions and conclusions about a religion because of the actions of a few people? It is important to note that the religion of Islam is perfect, however, the people practicing this religion are not. Let's think back about the Virginia tech shootings, I didn't see anyone blaming Christianity and calling it a terrorist religion becaue of what happend. Why are we allowing the media to limit our thinking and inject ideas into our brains? Many of us were created with brains, so let's use them for a change.

HS, Edmonton,

It will take a "revolution" toward alternative fuels. In a perfect western world we'd be moving toward alternatives to oil at the speed of light!!

Ree, USA

ree, VA,

isn't it a case of saudi values for saudi

mozimmal, stoke ,

Even Fred Flintstone and Wilma would have been uncomfortable in this pre-historic setting. What a bunch. Money and manners go their seperate way inside the tent in the desert. Are these people perverts by nature, is that what scares them the most?

Blanshard Meheux, Freetown, Sierra Leone

Come on, get realistic here.

As long as Saudi Arabia is sitting on a mess of oil and as long as the House of Saud is keeping the lid on the Wahhabi sect of Islamic terrorists for the Western powers, religious authorities are pretty much going to be given free reign to run the country however they want. You can bitch and scream, but as long as oil is involved, the House of Saud won't dare upset the proverbial apple cart. Any concession on women's rights by the government will be seen as an intolerable concession to the West. In the powder keg that is Saudi Arabia, striking this particular match is probably not a good idea for anyone. Ergo, there will be no serious expansion of rights for women any time soon.

It will take a revolution, or perhaps running out of oil, whichever comes first, to change the country.

Yes, Saudi Arabia isn't quite the West. Don't like it?

Fine. Move.

Scott, Durham, NC, USA

I agree with the writer who states that , if we go to a place like Saudi Arabia we should learn to respect THEIR rules, THEIR culture and ways of doing things. If they want to live under an oppressive regime, then it is up to THEM to throw off their own oppression, not US. Likewise, if they come here, they should respect OUR rules, OUR culture, and OUR ways of doing things. DON'Tcome here if you want to live under Sharia law. Period.

Kip Arnold, Williamsburg, VA USA

Addicts are not in a position to question the morals of their dealer.

R. McIntyre, Washington,D.C., USA

And to think America went to Iraq to spread democracy....spread it to your allies first...lol

Alpha, Toronto, Canada

It is NOT a governmental law in Saudi that a woman may not sit with a man to whom she is not related; it is a religious law.

In most countries, that's a big difference -- otherwise, half the population in Christian-dominated countries would be in jail every Saturday / Sunday, for not "remembering the Sabbath, to keep it holy."

In Saudi Arabia, 100% of the population is Muslim (whether they are, or not... and not counting non-nationals). As a result, there IS NO DIFFERENCE between the governmental laws and the religious laws.

The capital city of Riyadh is still very conservative. But, the more exposed the residents become to freedoms, the more quickly things will change. I've seen women's rights change a lot in the past 5 years.

What happened to Tara X was very unfortunate. I wear an abaya, don't cover my hair, eat with male friends (including at Starbuck's), walk the streets by myself.

But, I know I take a chance every time. I guess I just like to gamble.

Nikki Nichols, Little Rock, AR, USA

I think that their petrol is very important to our economies, so we should be careful not to rock the boat - there will always have to be sacrifices, human sacrifices, if weare to maintain our standard of living.

Brad Chestwell, Trenton, USA

I said it below and I'll say it again...

How many of you have any idea what the Saudi women feel or how they are treated on a daily basis, other than what you hear in the media? Chances are the number is relatively small if any. I lived for 10 years in the Kingdom and wrote two books about it based on first-hand experience. I learned to respect THEIR rules, culture, and way of law. Side by side with a Saudi woman, we built a wonderful school for women, run by women!

Everyone needs to back off Rob of Seattle as he is one of the few that calls this for what it is rather than turning it into a religious flame war.

And I'll repeat again....I lived there for TEN years and I know the Saudi women probably better than anyone posting. I spent every day with hundreds of them. Not all Saudi women are treated like slaves. Actually most are treated very, very well. Do your homework guys...Rob did;)

T.L. McCown, Overland Park, Kansas, USA

Bill....you obviously didn't read the article. Her husband is the one who got her out of jail.

Beth, Brea, CA

I think it's truly sad that we are so afraid of being politically incorrect that we fail to recognize evil when we see it. If the world had used this definition of "tolerance" in the 1930s and 1940s, Europe and Asia, if not the entire world, would be a suburb of the "Greater Reich" today.

Edward, Keansburg, NJ

And here we are reading this article on the very day that the Archbishop of Canterbury advocated the adoption of parts of Sharia, or Islamic law, in Britain. What was he thinking of???

dbc, lincoln, UK

Oh yes! Lets have Sharia law in the UK! More violence and hatred please! I would love to be in fear of my life!

Chris, UK,

When in Rome....

People going to foreign countries need to obey their laws and respect their values.....

Just as those that come to the USA, they should not be working to change our system, but assimilate.....if they can't, then go back home!

Bobc, Ky., USA

The religious police in Saudi Arabia remind me of the Pharisees of the New Testament- using religion as a lash.

Christopher, London,

The more I read about cases like this the more I think that these people are mentally deranged. What a sad reflection on humanity in the 21st century that this type of thing still happens. It is nothing short of disgusting and shameful.

William, Padstow, Australia

Take a long hard look at your politicians. They support the Saudi Government. They support repressive regimes across the mideast, so that you can have cheap oil.

Seth Delackner, Tokyo, Japan

As much as I hate to say it, Saudi Arabia is a sovereign nation and they have a right to enforce these kinds of laws. I hate how so many self-professed "tolerant liberals" can be so amazingly intolerant of cultures that are unlike their own.

Jordon, Tulsa, OK

how says is not in the Koran? please read the koran, read sharia law, check the "declaration of human rights in Islam" if cuba and rusia where comunist, and noone doubts it, why would you say that Iran and Arabia Saudi are not real Islamic? how much more Islamic can they get?
Islam is not peace, the word Islam means "submission" literally, (submission to the will of allah).
Less excuses and more reality check.

rufo, London,

I believe, this is a matter of sovereignty. Do the Saudis have the right to write their own laws or not. In absolute terms this is unbelievable and should obviously not exist in the 21st century, but who are we to tell the Saudis, what is right in their country. As the saying goes: "When in Rome, do as the Romans do". If you don't like it, get out.

Karl Pongs, Corona, California

Well, as crazy as the whole story sounds, The lady knew the laws and rules in Saudi. If she doesn't like it, leave. Otherwise, dont whine and complain when something like this happens.

Jeff, Russellville, Alabama

I'll never get over the irony that these ultra-conservative islamo-fascist officers have no greater friends in the world than the ultra-liberal leftwing in the West.

Matt, Chicago, IL

Why is there no official comment from NOW, so called National Organization for Women... is it because this would actually be a fight for justice and not just an easy way for them to get their names in the media?

Fern, Monterey, USA

She knew the rules and laws before she moved there and before she did this. If she doesnt like it, move someplace else and stop complaining.

Jeff, Russellville, Alabama

And this is the Sharia law so many many of our MP's and bishops say we should be considering so that we can be all inclusive!! God help us!

Ann, Oxford, UK

Maybe those crazies have got it right! Even our western bible says women are here to serve men. It's mainly the women who complain. You don't hear any Saudi men complaining about it do you? So maybe they are right. It is a mans world and maybe women are only here to serve men. Show me any religious text that contradicts that! So, instead of gabbling on with your feminist mantras, howabout observing the thousands of years of history that show us man is the superior gender and just do what you're told! And show a little respect to the man's world and God's laws.

Simon Peter, Toms River, USA

Rob, what the hell is wrong with you? And I thought I was liberal. sheesh, your mentality is like an indignant erection that wont go away, and your fallacious argument does as much harm to at least attempting to solve the worlds problems as any American centric world view can ever do.

Chris , Fairfield, CA, USA

I hope the FBI is watching you, Rob from Seattle, Washington.

Jack, halifax, ns

"Next time learn about them before stepping off the airplane." Rob, Seattle

perhaps they could do the same before they come to england, it'd be rude not to

jb, derby, ENGLAND

Another example of the "religion of peace and love??"

Tony, Tampa, Florida

Yet people still believe Islam is such a "peaceful and loving" religion. OMG, wake up!

Lance, Chicago, USA

Rob, that's right blame the rape victim. Using your logic, we shouldn't accomdate the muslims here by changing our laws to suit them. Oh, wait ,bad example, we are already caving in and doing just that, in the name of political correctness.

Brad, Eleva, Wisconsin

What I think interesting also is how the liberal commentors of Seattle can find a way to bend to the inhuman treatment meted by the Saudis.

Karl , Bellevue, WA

And Rowan Williams thinks we should have Sharia in the UK?

Andrew, Milford Haven,

Chadimus, Why do you want to stifle debate? Does Saudi intolerance appeal to you?

Nite Owl, Calgary, Canada

These women are essentially treated as slaves so lets call it what it is. No one feels uncomfortable denouncing slavery even in countries where it's the norm. There are some customs foreign and domestic that deserve no respect.

Nite Owl, Calgary, Canada

I thank my dad for stopping me from going to Saudi Arabia. They were offering me a six figure salary right out of college. And it was tax free. Too tempting to refuse. But I love my freedom. I don't think I will take bs from some religious police arresting me for having a cup of coffee.

vince, seattle, USA/WA

Just another example of the impotence of Islam. and the "God" of Islam...having to have dress wearing "men" with long beards enforce their oppressive self-serving man made laws in the name of their version of morality. When is the rest of the world going to wake up and see Islam for the cult that it is.

Joe, Boston, MA

Does this mean that Brown will deny the Saudi monarchy visas to visit the UK? Probably not, right? Then let not us high-minded western countries pretend that we can make some sort of moral criticisms. Judge a man by his friends.

M Adams, London, UK

I am not surprised. Having worked in Saudi for years, I know how the " religious police" behave. They are actually detested by their own people.
As for Yara, she should have known better. These are everyday occurances in that part of the world.
Come on, you can not have the American way of life everywhere, particularly in Saudi Arabia - at least for the next hundred years.

Sheikh, Dammam , Saudi Arabia

BP, Lenexa, Ks: "I will say what happen to her is unfortunate,however,she lives her life in a muslim country and should respect the laws of that country or move back here in the US."

You're disgusting! If we believed what you believe, we never would have fought to stop the Nazi death camps, because that's they're laws, and we just have to respect them. Women are being tortured every hour of every day for things like this article. Your ignorance=bliss attitude is just simply disgusting and embarassing.

AyeRoxor, Tampa, FL

well....if I look at the way western women, especially the young, are dressed these days, I would not oppose such a "Fashion Police" here.

robert, vancouver, bc

"We may not all agree on a single set of laws, but we should ALL agree to respect each country's laws and regulations. If you don't like their laws leave..."

Response to John Patrick of Atlanta:
You're exactly right. Which is why the Sharia law sould be outlawed in Great Britian, or anywhere else (such as the U.S)where Muslims immigrate.

Phil, Ft. Myers,

First I would have to say that it is really terrible about what happened here. All she was doing was trying to get her work finished with her colleagues. But why is it that whenever something bad happens, someone always has to say it was the fault of the Bush administration? I am no where near a fan of his but I get so sick and tired of hearing comments like that.

Brian, Lexington, ky

I am sure there are lots of 37-year-old American businesswoman called Yara living/staying in that area so it's going to be so hard for anyone to track her down.

Oh, was that sarcasm?

Chris Jeffs, Manchester,

Is it Islam or fundamentalism?

Tom, London,

to BP in Lenexastan, Ks. re.."She was lucky they did not behead her." You'd love that, wouldn't you? Personally I find it disgusting that you would equate beheading with just yet another quirky 'cultural difference.' As far as I'm concerned this IS the face of islam and it must be stopped.

ric, toledo, Oh

Obviously, the mutawa are out of control at times, and the treatment she received was beneath dignity. But, you have to wonder what this woman Yara was thinking. She has to know she is inviting this kind of abuse from the mutawa. It is common knowledge in Saudi that you don't go out in public with a man not related to you, even if you are a foreigner. Some situations are tolerated (like male drivers and women with children). Did Yara just decide, "To hell with the rules, I'm going to live the way I want"?. If so, she was not particularly wise.

Tim, Lappenranta , Finland

There is much comment here about the position of women under the Saudi religious system. Have I missed the news? Has the whole Christian church conceded that its historic attitude to women - including their ordination - was wrong all along?

I know this is not on the same scale of, but people who live in glass houses should be wary of throwing stones. Or as Christians say, "Let he who is without sin throw the first stone."

Paul, Bristol, UK

While I'm appalled and disgusted by this story, it's not really any different than the puritan Christian values shoved down everyone's throat in America. I personally would like to see the "big three," Judaism, Christianity and Islam, all banned outright. Those zealots have been responsible for so much human suffering in the course of human history. I'm sick of all of them.

David, Seattle,

antony from ann arbor-

to put it bluntly, yes. when we read your comments and watch fox news we feel like a parent whose child ran away before it finished its education but then went on to have a great career in sales.

R Spandit, london,

Come on, get realistic here.

As long as Saudi Arabia is sitting on a mess of oil and as long as the House of Saud is keeping the lid on the Wahhabi sect of Islamic terrorists for the Western powers, religious authorities are pretty much going to be given free reign to run the country however they want. You can bitch and scream, but as long as oil is involved, the House of Saud won't dare upset the proverbial apple cart. Any concession on women's rights by the government will be seen as an intolerable concession to the West. In the powder keg that is Saudi Arabia, striking this particular match is probably not a good idea for anyone. Ergo, there will be no serious expansion of rights for women any time soon.

It will take a revolution, or perhaps running out of oil, whichever comes first, to change that country.

Yes, it's a screwed up country hosting an adolescent religion with screwed up values. But it's what you've got. Don't like it? Move.

David, St. Louis, Il, USA

Throughout the history there has always been such events where religion is abused. These completely wrong and abusive attutidues should not be connected with any religion..

Banu, istanbul, turkey

Cultural tolerance and understanding is an awfully convenient front for shutting down uppity women...

Morgan, Nashville,

How come we never hear from president Bush about Saudi Arabia's treatment of women, (or the fact that it was 19 Saudis who perpetrated the 9/11 attacks for that matter.) If a Dem President had the connections to Saudi Arabia that Bush has, righties would be screaming at the top of their lungs for something to be done about this. But Bush just loves the Saudi royal family. We never see the US govt doing ANYTHING to stand up to this outrageous conduct by Saudi Arabia, the most ultra-extremist Islamic govt there is. And all we hear from the FOXNews wingnuts is that lefties don't complain about this behavior quite loudly enough. What the hell? I'm a lefty, and I say this is OUTRAGEOUS, and Bush should do something. Remember him, the guy who actually has the power to do something about this? Bush doesn't see anything wrong with what his buddies the Saudis are doing to American women in the name of Allah. I can't wait til we have a POTUS with the guts do stand up to this freakshow Saudi govt

Michael Moss, La Pine, OR

I don't agree that she has rights. When in Rome, you must do as the Romans do. You can't apply your own cultrure's "rights" in another culture. If that was the case, then the Arab man who shot his own "misbehaving" daughters and killed them in Dallas a few weeks ago would not be guilty of murder. That behaviour would not be punished in his own culture. In ours, it would. Women who visit Saudi Arabia must behave the way other women behave in that country. If you don't want to play by their rules, then don't go. I don't condone the behaviour of Arabs in Saudi Arabia in the name of religion. They must be punished here when they murder their daughters for behaving like Westerners.

Laura, Dallas, Texas

To Jan, New Orleans, LA, USA -
No offense taken, yet I DID make positive changes in the Kingdom with Saudi women by my side. Side by side we worked together, exploring new ideas and ways of thought, yet they only accepted the ones that held to their faith, values, and beliefs. The thousands I knew were educated, some owned businesses, and enjoyed life probably more than many women in the west.

To Leyla, Bristol-
The Kingdom began holding national elections in Feb. 2005 and many women were elected even though women did not vote. Stay up on your current events pls.

To John Patrick, Atlanta, GA
Three cheers to you and your wisdom! Saudi has less than 2% crime rate and I felt safer there than any the other 29 countries I've been, U.S & U.K included. Perhaps if we followed their lead we wouldn't have idiots enjoying plush prisons and plasma TVs after slaughtering others.

Why can't people just accept that not everyone sees the world from the same viewpoint?

T.L. McCown, Overland Park, Kansas, USA

Can you spell POWER!

Robert Cornue, San Antonio , Texas

I am disgusted but not suprised by all the (almost exclusively American) comments expressing outrage that the Saudis should enforce their own laws in their own land, and the suggestion that anyone who disagrees is some liberal half-wit.

I do not consider myself to be liberal, but I believe very strongly that we in the west have no more right to enforce our beliefs and cultural norms on others than they do on us. How would you like it if people were demanding you change your laws to accomodate foreign visitors?

Probably noone who isn't American will ever understand what makes you all think you're so wonderful that you can tell the world how to run itself.

Ed Bullen, Sydney, NSW, Australia

I am shocked that there are Americans on here insinuating the US should attempt to restrict Saudi Arabia from practicing its own laws because they are not in line with American law. Would it be appropriate for European nations to force the U.S. to ban guns and capital punishment because those practices are not in line with Western European laws and they may see capital punishment and gun ownership as backward? I think not...

Anthony, Ann Arbor, MI USA

am I the only one holding my nose right now?

cyndi, maywood, ne,usa

To J.R. in Toronto, It is easy to say we should "respect " other cultures, when you and your mother, sister, daughter, aunts etc... are sitting in a free country where women have equal respect next to men. If you pay attention you will notice the men are not arrested in these instances only the women. You can't tell me that the women who are born into these third world repressive "cultures" feel the way you do. In these countries where Islamic men rule, a woman has no chance for a life of Liberty and the persute of happiness. They are to scared to stand up because the truth of the matter is they have been beaten and even murdered in the name of their "moral" encompased Islam". I don't think you thought it through to well before you spoke. My opinion is...There but for the Grace of God go I. I am privilaged to be born in a country such as America, and the last time I checked...Canada was free also.

Deena, Katy, Texas, U.S.A.

As far as American Law is concerned we do take to trial these Muslim men living in the US that kill women. In Kansas City the FBI was monitoring a Muslim. They had a recording of this Muslim man killing his 16 year old girl. He said she was dating and it was wrong. He was convicted of murder and now is in jail. No not know if get got the death sentence. He should of. This happend well before 9/11.

Karri, Denver, Colorado

Is it any wonder why 19 of the hijackers that flew the planes on 9/11 were from Saudi Arabia? The Islamic Wahabism that rules Saudis Arabia is by far a bigger threat to the world than even the Taliban posed in Afghanistan.

But then again any strict fundmentalist religion should be forced into extinction: be it islamic, judiac, or even Christian.

The time has long passed to stop using nonsensical beliefs based on fairy tales as a way to govern over humanity.

Edward , Montclair, NJ

Excellent, now let's pull all the foreign troops from Saudi Arabia and stop supporting their oppressive government.

Democracy will come and, eventually, women will gain rights (although this will not happen straightaway, but the process will have to begin).

Krishan, Sydney, Australia

Davie Smith, Miami Again:
You've Changed My Mind. I Count Myself A Liberal, But your Right, Tis Is way wrong, and needs to be stopped. How?
It's the only Loveing thing to do. I just think Respecting" Combined with other stuff, is the only way it will happen. If we invade, Women and men, and Children Die. Fear of death is why women don't rise up.
See my earlier post about when we want The House Of Saud to see why pressure to Democratize wont work.
We OWE the world a lot. It will take a long reversal of past practces to make the world free.
Militarily, We cant. Were not strong enough Econommicly, We seem to refuse. We need to become better Stewards of Humanity. We want the People of the world to WANT to Be Like us. maybe, appologize for supporting the Shaw, and Get tough with BOTH palestine, AND isreal, will help. I don't know.
The Saudis stay in poewr because of western Oil Money

Think about it.

Dave Smith, Miami, FL

is this the kind of laws that the Arch Bishop of Canterbury wants us to adopt here in the UK?

Garry Sukhija, London, UK

In some countries it is acceptable for woment to be topless in public places, if a woman bares her breasts in a public place anywhere in the USA she will also be promptly arrested and thrown in jail.
Diferent strokes for diferent folks, we should respect each other's customs.

JR, Toronto,

When in Rome? Absurd!!! This issue is not about legality of what she did- clearly it was illegal there. The issue is whether it was right or wrong. Clearly it is wrong as it is simply an issue about repressing and controlling women. Thats not to say that some people don't truly believe in this but this kind of treatment is a long standing way of controlling the people (in this case women.)

This is not an issue of culture no more than any of the other abhorrent common events over there are.

Lastly any comparisons to our problems in the west are pathetic. Crime rates are substantially lower and 'freedom' (or whatever we have left of it) can not truly be compared to the levels there. Yes we have our problems but they are nothing compared to other places.

William Volterman, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

The antiquated rules used by some religions are nothing more than a "smoke screen" for the maltreatment of women and girls. I find it ironic that it is always the females who are treated like chattle. If oil were not in the picture, the Saudis and the rest of their ilk would soon become extinct because no woman would stay in a country that degrades human life. The Saudis are the most intolerant of people. According to the Saudis only their "tribe" is worthy to be on earth. May God forgive them, because no one else will.

Cynthia, Universal City, Texas

Is this the kind of thing they mean when they talk of tolerance towards other cultures?

David Masu, Zürich,

I am in the oil tool business and have worked with Saudi's and other from this region for much of my career. This is also true of going to class with them in graduate school. The problem that they have is their understanding of the rights of people is such that it is the rights of man not women. That is their loss. On one hand they want the technology from the west in business, defense, and oil to survive but they don't want to move into the 21st century. This is reflective of their attitude toward the West when most of the men on the planes that hit the World Trade Towers were Saudi. It is indiscriminate dislike of the human race. This also happened when American female soldiers worked in T-shirts in the desert heat. They wanted to protect them with our lives and money but comply with rules that less restrictive than rules in the UK around 1066.

JP, Lafayette , USA Louisiana

Rob from Seattle: They should have stoned the woman for her unimaginable transgression, right? And you make a good point, there are other countries out there -- and some of them have inferior and inhuman "beliefs, laws, and social behavior."

Tom, Portland, ME

Don't like the rules in Saudi Arabia? Don't visit. Don't want to depend on Saudi oil, get an electric car and call your Congressperson. Want to whine and complain about the inhumaity and accomplish absolutely nothing... post your rant on this site.

Chadimus, San Francisco, CA

It's not culturally insensitive to demand that basic human rights be honored. Saudi Arabia routinely violates the rights of its women and I'm under no obligation to tolerate these violations by the Saudis as matters of "cultural difference" or for any other reason. Just because Yara was in Saudi Arabia doesn't mean she gives up her right to associate with whom she chooses. You can say she shouldn't have been surprised to find herself arrested...but not that she should have been willing to abandon her rights.

Steve, Seattle, WA

They should have warned her, *then* arrested her? Joe T. in Seattle, what is wrong with you? Would you be saying that about a black guy in South Africa - "Oh, well, warn him first, then arrest him. He should know his place." Would you say that about lynchings in the South in the 1920s? If this were racial, you would be outraged. But have some guy make up a religion that subjugates women (and, basically, everyone else) and have them do it out of your direct line of sight, and suddenly it's all roses. Women have the right to sit in a coffeeshop. I can't believe I have to explain it. Let me put in bluntly: this is not a cultural difference like drinking iced tea instead of hot, and the problem is sure as hell not with Western culture.

That mindset is evil, it is backward, it is abusive, it is discriminatory, it is an abomination. It should be reviled, desipised, and ridiculed by every free Western person. Someone should stand up and say this is wrong.

So what makes it okay with you?

Ella, Tulsa, OK, USA

I sat with a man in Starbucks today. I keep looking out of my window in case the men with beards and white dresses are waiting. I thought MIB stood for Men in Black not Men in Beards.

Matt, Mids, UK

Saudi Arabia and the Muslim religion are just medieval bigotry and hate. The members of the Mutaween are ignorant bullies with government and religion support. The woman knew better but still did not obey the law. She was just stupid.

Tom, Dallas , TX USA

Ahhh. The Religion of Peace strikes again. How come we never hear from the left about Islam's terrible treatment of women? Perhaps that is why, despite billions in oil wealth, they are a 3rd rate world power. Let's see, all in the name of Islam they: demean and subjugate half their population(women), worry first about their children's religious education and secondly about math and science, execute gay people, suppress the creative arts, and quietly aid the attempted destruction of an entire religion/country (Israel). The good news is that they now have an entire generation of men that can't write their own name, but can recite the Koran backwards. I'm sure that's just what their god had in mind; a religion of dimwitted lemmings. Tell me again why I need to learn more about them?

BeanGuy, Cleveland, OH

Lets tell the TRUTH, it is a CULTURE WAR and we are losing!!

Miami, Miami, fl

Sus, the question here is about equality, not just religous rule. We all have to oney the same laws in the US, they aren't dependent on the insecurities of the men who rule our country. Your examples really don't apply to the issue of equality at all.

SMM, Washington , DC

I hope you are not comparing having your beer taken away at 2 am to being thrown in a dirty cell, strip searched and publicly humiliated! What a short sighted view.

JC, Denison, Texas

If you are in Rome, do as the Romans do. Likewise if you are in Saudi respect the law of Saudi.
People at the General Presidency of the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice are doing their best to fight anti-social behaviour and disorder based on Islamic law; Islam is the last message sent to all mankind by Allah the Almighty through his Holy Prophet and Messenger Muhammad peace to be upon him. For more information go to: ( www.islam-guide.com ,or, www.islamalways.com).
I respect the fact that we are different in religion and culture, as ALLAH said in the Holy Quran ‘’’ And if your Lord had so willed, He could surely have made mankind one Ummah [nation or community (following one religion i.e. Islam)] but they will not cease to disagree’’, and I would expect to receive the same respect from others about my country’s Saudi Arabia and its internal affairs. Hoping for this world to have peace, harmony, and to understand one another’s differences and choices. Thank you.

Ibraheem abdu, LONDON, UK

I'm finding it harder and harder to sympathize with American women who, by their own choice, reside in Arab countries. Don't they read the newspapers, watch television news, know what is going on there?? Do you think I would take up residence in a country where I might find myself buried up to my head and in the process of being stoned. Not likely and neither should they!

jeanne dixon, clearwater, usa fl

..........and Rowan Williams wants Sharia Law in Britain!

TSA, Leeds,

I really don't know why anyone is surprised by this. Yes, women in fundamental Islamic countries has no basic human rights. This is an American woman in Saudi Arabia, and there is no reason to expect that she would be exempt from their laws simply because she is an American.

Interesting to see that she wants to fight it, but I don't think an outsider, an "infidel", is going to have any effect. Any attempts by women within the country will of course also be shut down. The only chance is if the male population can open their eyes and see women as simply fellow human beings, and not property to be subjugated and hidden away.

Ben, Houston, TX,

The obnoxious rants of some of the posters here are breathtakingly ignorant. You speak as though Western women are 'free'. Where she is not disrepected and abused, as with many women in Muslim countries, she's just carnal currency used to sell everything, from cars to clothes to food. Islam gave women freedom centuries before the Suffragettes tried - they had rights to property/trade, a say in matrimonial matters, rights to custody of children - things the Victorian woman was still dreamng of while Queen Victoria herself condemned such frivolities. The woman is the heart of society in Islamic laws - the Muslim people or 'ummah' are named thus after 'um', or 'mother'. Muslims teach their children that 'heaven is under the feet of our mothers'.

However, when extreme sexist groups such as the Wahabbis who control S. Arabia are endorsed by Western powers for being cooperative business partners or de facto allies, it's no wonder this sort of things goes unpunished. Wahabbism is cruel.

Mia, London,

Her husband's company, and the finance company where she works, should leave the "Kingdom" immediately and take all of their capital with them (if the company she works at isn't a SA company)

What's sinful is our country being involved with these Neanderthals at all

oh wait, there are Bushes, and oil, and money involved

(how many Iraqi's attacked us on 9/11? How many Saudis?)

Mark, Sacramento, CA

And people wonder why President Bush is promoting Freedom in these backwards thinking nations such as Iraq, etc.

AmMan, Thousand oaks, USA/California

I had the displeasure of doing business in Saudi Arabia a few years back. As a woman and an American I was told to NEVER go ANYWHERE without my escort and had to cover myself at all times. I always felt uneasy when in public. One day, part of my hair became uncovered and I had a man approach my escort and offer $250,000 for me. It's a disgusting feeling to have this happen!! Woman are at the bottom of the food chain in Islamic culture. Sorry for not being politically correct, but the truth hurts. I know a few ladies who practice Islam and they ARE the first one's to admit that Islam is sexist, racist and nontolerant religion. (they just cannot say it in public)

CMM, Chicago, Illinois, USA

there's a popular saying about Rome and Romans. Problem with some and I emphasize some Is that they think everyone should abide by their rules even in someone elses backyard. If u don't appreciate Islamic law I can give you good advice on where NOT to open a business but if u must take heed! When in Saudi ......... U know the rest

zeez, leeds,

Women cannot interact with men in public but ohh let me see a man can marry and have 4 wifes. No wonder half of the muslim population is screws in their head when religion and society controls everything. On top of that for hating america there is no darth of muslims wanting to become american citizen. All these muslim citizens should be bared from going back to there own country if the muslim world hates america so much. Also, on a side note I will love to see these muslim fundamentalist man try to do a everything a woman does and goes through everyday. Maybe one day people truly will have equality or atleast make a geniune effort for equality and peace.

jaat, chicago,

Actually, to be frank, these arrests have been going on for years and years. My mate was arrested for having dinner with his nurse girlfriend. Needless to say he was out in 4 hours but she served the mandatory 24.

This is old news - but its an old old country

Shocker, cambridge,

thank God I am an American!!! Long live the USA , down with religious bigots and sexus morons.
Jean, Bothell, Wa.

delores gates, bothell, wa.

Whatever happened to "multi-culturalsim" or even "When in Rome do as the Romans do". How much you want to bet this woman is a liberal. Don't liberals want all of us to be opened minded towards islam? Don't they all belong to the church of "multiculturalism"? Of course, being multiculturaly open minded means one has to close your eyes to the realities of what other cultures are. You see, if you see the realities of islam or other cultures you will see how compltetly evil and degenerate they are, and of course, we all know OUR culture is the only bad one and every other culture is good. That's the main tenet behind "multiculturaism" Everything the white christian does is baaaaaaad because, well he's white, and white is bad, becauuse white's are racist. Now if you make the rational deductive reasoning that that is a racist statement because it negatively judges a culture and a people solely on the basis of race then you'd be technically correct but poitically incorrect-and fired, sued etc

ahksel, Everett,

I am surprised that she is making such a fuss about this. Did she not know that women are treated like second-class citizens in this country? Western decadence i.e. drinking alcohol / women uncovering their arms is condoned inside the foreign compounds but once outside, life is very different. If they didn't have oil, then the US / UK would not give a damn for the Saudis.

Dave, Cardiff, Wales

I like the part where the embassy official declares the matter an internal Saudi matter. Only in a George W. Bush administration can one find such courage.

Only 11 months left World, sorry for any inconveniences.

Roger, Annapolis, Maryland, USA

I'm a Muslim... let's just say that the Saudi brand of Islam (Wahhabis/Salafism) is a very puritannical sect of Islam. True traditional Ahlus Sunnah Islam, is not practiced in that manner. Please don't judge Islam by stories and practitioners such as these.

Luqman, Gloucester,

I will say what happen to her is unfortunate,however,she lives her life in a muslim country and should respect the laws of that country or move back here in the US. I love the US but if I break a law I expect to be fully reprimanded for it. The problem with the US is that so many instances of adultery are tolerated and forgiven,commitments to each other are meaningless. Her punishment stands. She was made to feel belittled so there would not be a next time. She was lucky they did not behead her.

BP, Lenexa, Ks

When I read of incidents like this and of the rape victim who was sentenced to a 200 lashes, it makes me ashamed to be a desert storm veteran. These muttawa who so enjoy brutalizing women and whoever else who draws their ire were/are too soft and lazy to defend their own country.

Dave , anytown , USA

sus, Washington...if you like your country so much why don't you go back...what was done and is done to women daily in muslim countries is deplorable. the muslim religion is all about repression of women and destruction of anyone who doesn't believe in their archaic and WRONG ways.

jeff, houston,

I understand every country has its rules and that they must be followed or face the consequences.

It is however easy to see why certain cultures thrive and others do not.

J Armenta, Newport,

Regardless of where she's from, she committed a crime under their law. We may not all agree on a single set of laws, but we should ALL agree to respect each country's laws and regulations. If you don't like their laws leave. She knew better!
As for the mistreatment, we're only hearing one side of the story. Obviously, she was upset,and still is, angry, resentful, and I'm sure because she's well connected she thought Oh my God this couldn't be happening to me. I am in the US Armed Forces and I've served in Saudi. Because of the way they run their country, they have some of the lowest crime rates.Unlike the way we handle things in the west where we give a rapist a slap on the hand that's what I call mistreatment of women.

John Patrick H, Atlanta, GA

there are worse things happening in Saudia , 20 saudis who wanted elections , transparency , and accountability in saudi arabia , have been kidnapped by their gov and since their families have not heard from them. this happened 6 months ago , I have not heard the west condemn such a thing , NO US or UK not even Amnesty or Human rights decry such measures BUT they all care about the Human rights of Michel KILO who has been arrested in Syria . hypocrisy is sick

Leyla , Bristol ,

In response to Sus from Washington:

Wow you are absolutely right- it is exactly the same thing to receive a sentence of 200 licks and 6 years in jail after being raped and being arrested and humiliated for drinking coffee in the presence of a male business partner- as not being able to buy a beer on Sunday in the US. The attitude towards women is apauling and I really don't see where treating women in such a riduculous manner has anything to do with religion. Also- with the US state laws on liquor (Which are ridiculous) how is this in any way discrimatory against women?
- ticked off US woman

Hope, Atlanta, GA

If we could only apply the same standards, as our friend in Seattle would suggest, to our nations. A simple 'if our culture and law isn't to your liking, then go home or don't come at all' would solve many social and criminal issues. Oh, the curse of an open and want-to-be-inclusive society.

R. Blaine, Washington, DC

Insanity. I cannot imagine that women have not risen up in the Muslim world to protest this treatment. And sus in Washington....how DARE you compare this to not being able to drink after a certain hour in the US? How ignorant can you be? And if you are Muslim WHY are you drinking at all? Sheesh.....takes all kinds.

Paula, Corinth, TX

Diana,

What you wrote is one of the most ignorant statements I have ever read. Being from the Midwest myself, it is people like you who confirm stereotypes.

First of all, saying that people should be ashamed of their religion is ludicrous. In many Middle Eastern countries the government has total control over the population by manipulating peoples religious beliefs.

Many of the things these governments do have no merit when it comes to religion.

One last thing, saying that scholars need to systematically critique a religion points to how numb minded you are. I am sure Scholars can critique any religion. To bring about change you need end the power religion in government. A secular state would ease many of these problems.

I hope you are ashamed of yourself.

Andrew Shoemaker, Eden Prairie, USA / MN

I agree with Zeke,
"For all women that have posted in this blog and said she should have just followed the rules, if you lived there you could have been arrested just for participating in this blog right now." this is not right no matter where you are! but the sad thing is that nonthing will change untill the muslims change themselves. america can try to change this for years but nothing will happen until they want it! Untill then, let them have there fun in there country. i will be at starbucks after work with a variety of woman!!!

sean, COL. HTS,

Let me get this straight, you are comparing being jailed for being the victim of rape to not being able to buy a beer on Sunday? Get a grip...you are going to have to come up with a better argument that that!

Erika, battle creek, MI

Wow, it seems religion creates too many problems. I'm not even a red state republican but it just seems like there is no hope left for these extremists...or any extremists for that matter.
I was raised Methodist, which is just a place holder for non-denominational Christian--I hope I chose the right one. How many religions are there these days...at least 100+? So I guess I've got a 1% chance of qualifying for Heaven if I did land on the right one. Now have I lived my life right to qualify for Heaven under Christian standards?
I don't know, I'm beginning to wonder if religion was created as a means for getting people to fall in line...

Nick, Medina, Ohio

Putting aside what one thinks is just or unjust, humane or not, as that is all in retrospect - if you are a foreigner who decides to live in a foreign country, you should understand and respect their laws, rules, mannerisms and culture and religion. Even if they may not all be fairly balanced. YOU chose to go and live there. YOU have no right to tell them how to live. If the locals there don't like it there themselves, they leave. Not all, but many do chose a life elsewhere. Just the same - foreigners who come to YOUR home land have no right to say the way the locals are treated is unjust, or the way they themselves have been "mistreated" must be changed - especially if they have broken a local law. You have to keep in mind that your home land laws may not apply elsewhere, and your home land "views" and "common sense" and "justice" may not be accepted there.

M.S., Dhahran, KSA

The fact that she is most likely Muslim / Arab in appearance probably meant that they went even harder on her as "one of their own".

Even if the US bought all its oil from non-Saudi sources, the Saudis would still be rolling in dough from all the other coutries that would buy it at exactly the same price. That's not a knock on pushing for energy independence (based on a mix of increased exploration in North America, alternate sources and conservation) which is fully worth it for security reasons along, but with the growth in India, China and other parts of the world, there are plenty of petro customers.

Mike, New York, NY

To sus in washington:

There's a big difference between not being able to buy booze on sundays and being thrown in jail for sitting with the opposite sex. Isn't consumming alcohol considered a sin under sharia law also? The laws in the US are indeed based on judao-christian values, but they do not trample our citizens human rights, unless of course you consider getting tanked at any time of the day or night a human right.

marl, danbury,

It seems that most of thes religious groups, like the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, have an unusually strong urge to strip search the woment that they arrest !!!!!! This tells me a lot about the men on the comission, and the religion that supports it. It is mor a "prevention of virtue and promotion of vice for the men. The woment are simply objects of their lust that the men like to pretend that they are protecting.

John, Dayton, oh

How daft can things get! In the UK we have...

Dr Williams says Muslims should have a choice in legal disputes

The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams says the adoption of Islamic Sharia law in the UK is "unavoidable".

Dr Williams told BBC Radio 4's World at One that the UK has to "face up to the fact" that some of its citizens do not relate to the British legal system.

He says Muslims should not have to choose between "the stark alternatives of cultural loyalty or state loyalty".

Dr Williams argues that establishing Sharia law in the UK would help maintain social cohesion

How long before we get stoning, etc, in the UK, I dread to think. Why should we have to put up with all this medeival rubbish.

Stan Waters, London, UK

If a woman/man is beaten or violated...something obviously should be done. However, to go to that extent in the name of religion...is unspeakable!!! Most religions teach about love and forgiveness...not violence and sheer stupidity.

KLL, jackson,

As abhorrent as it seems to be, this isn't something is surprising. Why not let the Saudis be the Saudis without interference from outside. If you recognize a government as soverign, then you tacitly agree that they have every right to make laws that are valid only inside their borders. Let's be honest here. We want their oil. But do we want their oil and want to force a way of life that is not common within their culture? The US has enough character & moral issues within it borders, that should preclude our involvment in those of other country. We haven't exactly set a shining example in the Middle East.

Daniel Howard, Dallas, Tx,

Barbaric. I suppose Islam will eventually come into the 21st century, but it may be closer to 2099 than 2009.

Dave, Los Angeles, CA

Good thing the religious police don't follow all those rich Saudis when they travel elsewhere in the world or most of the travelling royal family and friends would be in prison.

J Oke, Hamilton, Canada

Things like this should be viewed as an outrage throughout the country. I rarely meet people who care because everyone around these parts thinks fox news is the devil. It makes me so angry. They can come over hear and get treated like, well, Americans, and we go over there and get oppressed. Maybe we should start treating Saudis in this country in the same regard as the Saudi government, if that's what it can be called, treats Americans? Maybe that would wake up the liberal base in this country and scare the royal family? Of course this would never happen, so hopefully we put our Saudi military bases to good use and implement regime change in that country. Seriously! They're not even stopping with their own country. Slowly but surely Muslims are trying to get the US to accomidate to their ignorant customs. Once it starts happening here its going to be hard to reverse.

Nathan Kors, Tacoma, WA

Things like this should be viewed as an outrage throughout the country. I rarely meet people who care because everyone around these parts thinks fox news is the devil. It makes me so angry. They can come over hear and get treated like, well, Americans, and we go over there and get oppressed. Maybe we should start treating Saudis in this country in the same regard as the Saudi government, if that's what it can be called, treats Americans? Maybe that would wake up the liberal base in this country and scare the royal family? Of course this would never happen, so hopefully we put our Saudi military bases to good use and implement regime change in that country. Seriously! They're not even stopping with their own country. Slowly but surely Muslims are trying to get the US to accomidate to their ignorant customs. Once it starts happening here its going to be hard to reverse.

Nathan Kors, Tacoma, WA

America and the rest of the civilized world need to end their addiction to Saudi oil so that Western funds no longer go to such a barbaric society.

Sam Walker, Washington DC, United States of America

Stuff like this never happened under Saddam Hussein. His regime allowed women to drive, not cover themselves up, and be doctors and teachers. If a country needed to be invaded, it was Saudi Arabia, the source of the 9/11 hijackers.

Tony Martin, South San Francisco, CA

Pressure the Saudis for an investigation into the clearly anti-Islam behavior of some religious police.
Do not mention that a woman is involved.
Do not even mention that it was prompted by a power outage.

Mention only that their religion has been sullied by people claiming to have support of their religious regime, who force people to sign false documents in the name of Islam.

If the House of Saud can not do this, than it is reasonable to promise full national and international exposure of this story, and how the Saudis have obviously lost their claim to be spokesmen for the true Islam, since even the uneducated can see that subjugating the truth can not be true Islam.

M James, Boston, MA

Too bad we didn't invade Saudi Arabia. It needs to be escorted into the 21st century.

Lesley, Verdemont, USA/California

This is the direction the Republican party hopes to take the USA.

Jenna's Bush, Washington, DC

I think the US should persue alternative fuels and clean coal at all costs. Our tolerant close "friends" the Saudi's are still living in the 6th century culturally. The US is only a short whim away from the current non-elected ruler (King) aka dictator if he was in South America, deciding that the great satan, the US, is not worthy of their oil. They could have us completely at their beck and call. This is not a far-fetched idea. It is completely possible and probable if we have a massive disagrement in the future defending Israel or if some other joker in the Royal family eventually inherits the leadership position.

Marc, tallahasee, Fl.

Another example of how this hideous relgion as practised by this hideous excuse for a state oppresses women. Islam can never reconcile its medieval ways with our western way of life. All this rubbish about all cultures being respected is utterly wrong. We are simply more decent. We don't treat our women with utter disdain and brutality, we don't maim people for relatively minor crimes, we try to live and let live. Unfortunately, many muslims and particularly the Wahabbis in Saudi Arabia are just as bad as the Nazis: anybody who lives or believes differently from them is subhuman scum that must be destroyed. This is the enemy the West is up against. We better wake up and aim to weaken them economically to the point of irrelevance over the next fifty years or so (preferably sooner) by getting off our oil addiction. I dread to think what would happen if they had the relative military and economic might the Nazis had enjoyed!

S P, Swansea, UK

Now I feel better.

We protect Saudi Arabia and charge them $0.

George Bush and his family and friends must feel great supporting those barbarians.

We should charge Saudi Arabia & Bahrain 1 trillion dollars for protecting them and then leave and let them sort it out.

Cheers,

Bruce Sammut

Bruce Sammut, Naples, FL

An the the good Dr, Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury wants to allow Sharia law to be used in the UK. That's crazy. These people are living in the stone age and they want to impose these barbaric laws on civilized people. Let them do it in Saudi Arabia but not in Christendom. Even the idea of such barbaric principles should be against the law in our countries.We have already been through the Dark Ages of Christendom and now we have to suffer the dark ages of Islam to please immigrants who have come to our countries because their society does not allow for them to have a decent life economically yet they claim their spiritual lives are better than ours? Hogwash. It is hypocrisy at its highest.

Thomas Sorensen, Chicago, , IL USA

unfortunately this is what religion does, it steals, kills and destroys. This is not of God. God is love and our way to Him is a heart issue. It is not about a bunch of rules that degrade women or even men. Jesus himself had it with the religous leaders when HE walked the earth. I pray that this dear woman will be restored completely from the shame this religous men brought on her. I also pray that they will be convicted in their own hearts and repent for their shameful actions....

kimberly stevens, portland, oregon

Speaking as an American (which many foreigners here irrationally hold against me) and as a liberal (which many Americans here irrationally hold against me), history teaches us that the progress of freedom does not necessarily come from "doing as the Romans when in Rome." It comes from opening up borders, both economically and socially, so that oppressed people can discover and achieve what the freer parts of the world have. Yara is heroic to stay in Saudi Arabia for the cause of fighting their ignorant draconian laws, just as Susan B. Anthony was right to fight for voting rights in a country where she could not legally vote, and just as Rosa Parks was courageous to disobey racial segregation laws that she knew needed to be ended.

James Davis, San Antonio, TX USA

abda, bournemouth -
The laws of Britain are plainly outlined an accessible for all. The difference is they have no "secret police" to intimidate and harass the populace (i.e., make them sign false confessions in fear of their lives). Sharia law is not the answer anywhere, it is the problem. Have you ever seen a country voluntarily convert to Islam? For a Muslim to convert to another religion means death. This is not a free or peaceful system.
By the way, what was her violation?-drinking coffee and holding a meeting in a coffee house - wow - sounds treasonous! She was in a curtained area, she was respectful to her captors, she wore local garb (so she tried to fit in).
How was she treated - humiliation (forced to strip down in front of men - isn't this against their religion?) disrespect, bruising, cursing by a judge, no doubt left to rot if not for political intervention.
Ask yourself- why don't I live there? Because you would have no civil liberty or self-determination.

jay c, Berkley, USA/CA

It seems to me that if my fellow American decides to live and work in Saudi Arabia, she should obey the laws of the land. What seems strangely foreign to her should not matter. Obey the law. Period. And for her to say, "I can't just surrender to the terrorist acts of these people,” is so typical of why the world hates Americans. It's THEIR COUNTRY! It isn't terrorism for Saudi Arabia to enforce their own laws. I may not agree with the law and I may be personally disgusted by the hypocrisy of the law, but it's still the law. But explain to me why she was strip searched other than cheap thrills in the name of Islam?

Jim, Chattanooga, Tennessee

This is to all you anti-american idiots who thrash american ways of life: When your country goes into peril from a natural disaster, what country goes to your aid? When your country is attacked, what country do you call upon for aid? When your country is starving from famine and drought, what country do you call upon? Our country is taken for granted on many occasions because we have a different lifestyle. Maybe America should wake up and quit giving aid to other countries that slap US in the face after we help them. And unlike other FOREIGNERS I am proud to say who I am and where I am from and not be a coward like some certain people.

Brit, Arden, USA

I find it fascinating to read the responses to this article. One accepts the reality that, for some reason I can't fathom, Muslim men are incapable or controlling themselves around women and must, therefore, make it a crime to co-mingle; and defends this dysfunctional behavior on their part. Then one other immediately attacks the poor woman simply because she is an American and, as such, made the unforgivable sin of expecting civilized behavior on the part of officials of the government - which is ridiculous when dealing with a society that has not evolved any further than the 7th. century. And then, of course, you have the isolationist argument that all ills of the world are caused by our simply not staying home and leaving everyone to do as they will, regardless of the harm that may cause. I am not sure what the reference to Israel has to do with the situation, unless it is the belief of the writer that, but for the Jews, there would be no strife in the middle east.

T, Davis, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.

As much as we want men in Muslim countries to respect women and give them equal opportunities and treatment under the law it will never happen. I simply cannot understand how a country that is so 21 century in the business world is so backward in respect to religion and equality of the sexes. We in the west, and I mean Christians, will never understand this and all we can do is stand up and speak out when atrocities such as this happen. God bless her in her struggle to change islamic law. I'm afarid she is facing a terrible up hill battle in that barbaric place.

John Hudson, Canutillo, Texas

When Saudis come to the USA, they don't change and live by our culture. Why should Americans have to live by they Islamic rules when we are not islamic?

No country is free that lives by a religious law, because fallable men "interpret" the religious law the way they want. Every man is sinful, no matter how hard he tries not to be.

Tyre Hester, Snellville, Georgia USA

I think ALL Americans, men/ women alike should be not only enraged, but scared for the wellbeing of this woman. I'm sure that she did not know that she was doing anything wrong, and I'm sure if she knew it was wrong, would not have done it.

That could be your mother, sister, daughter or even a friend. It is absolutley and down-right disgusting that something like that is even happening. Where the hell is our President now? He should be calling "his good friend" the king of Saudi Arabia and getting somethiing done about this. If it was someone he knew we would probably be going to war over this.

By the sounds of it, those Saudi people sound like savage tyrants.

And as for the any comments of women being less than a man, or evil, or anything like that.. look around. EVERYONE on this earth came from a woman, so it looks like everyone better respect any and ALL women, and thank them.
Women of the world STAND UP FOR YOURSELVES!

I'm Proud to be a strong American woman!

Lynne, Boston, USA, Massachusetts

I do not see how anyone with a modicum of sense could equate smoking a joint with the slavery of the Arab women all over the Muslim world. Of course, we should stand up to these clerics. After all, it was not too long ago that we had separate schools, bathrooms and buses for Black Americans. Was that right? !!! Women couldn't vote in America. Was that right? !!!!! These Clerics are Saudi Arabias KKK. They just wear a different kind of sheet. Evil recruits cowards. Arab men are just horrible to their women because they are cowards.

Jim, Phoenix,

No offense lady, but what in the heck would anyone with western values want to do in those backwards, with 7th century mentality, male dominated, brain washed countries. Don't bother trying to make a difference cause most women in those countries are not going to help you make changes, nor they are going to support your views, otherwise they would have made changes by now and you would have been able to carry on with your business at the coffee shop. People have evolved with time, modernity has moved forward yet in the mid east the status quo remains as is and whats more horrifying is how they continue to treat women not just in saudi but in the mid east at large....amazing!!!

jan, new orleans, la, usa

How many of you have any idea what the Saudi women feel or how they are treated on a daily basis, other than what you hear in the media? I lived for 10 years in the Kingdom and wrote two books about it based on first-hand experience. I learned to respect THEIR rules, culture, and way of law. By referring to the traditional attire of Saudi men as a “white dress,” clearing shows Yara’s disrespect and ignorance of the Saudi culture and her actions reinforce her insolence. Why do Americans feel they have the moral or obligatory right to change others? I am an American and I love my country, but I am not so pompous as to think I would, could, or should try to change someone else or impose my views on them. Yara WILL NOT make a difference by remaining in a country that she doesn't respect or understand. During my time in Saudi, I fostered positive change by starting the first educational learning center for women and I did so by respecting their laws and culture. Three cheers for Bob & Rob!

T.L. McCown, Overland Park, Kansas, USA

Just because america is so weak of a country that forigenors can go there and get by with acting whatever way they did in there own countrys, does`nt mean that americans can go and act however they like in other countries. This woman is arrogant, and deserves whatever punishment she gets. She should have known better. Good for the Saudies for not letting her get by with it.

Jeremy, Baldwin, USA, WI

Watched the movie "The Kingdom" last night, message of the movie is that we cannot co-exist. As much as I disagree with US foreign policy and oil control agenda, I'll take the illusion of freedom over no freedom and I am glad I am on the right side.

g, Canada,

Unfortunately, that is the way of the Middle Eastern society. I’m not sure why anyone would want to live in, let alone visit Saudi Arabia or any other Middle Eastern nation. It’s not like they really care for each other. Women have been mistreated in their society for years. It happens all over the globe. We keep business and economic relations open with Saudi Arabia because they have oil, which gives them enough economic influence to bail many nations out of hot water (they have done it with us). As long as they have that ability, no one really cares what they do. Granted, most of their people live in the Stone Age and are plagued by huge gaps in economic class, but at least they have religious police to humiliate and dehumanize their fellow citizens. If they do feel like having a drink, or looking at non cloaked women, they can always vacation here in the states. We love everyone, regardless of how stupid they are.

Jeremy, St. Louis, MO

I absolutely agree this is horrific. The persecution of any group of people based on superficialities, like gender, religion, race or nationality is grotesque. I applaud Yara and women like her (of which there are many, and more each day) who are standing up for their rights and trying to bring their cultures into the modern era. Truly, they are the only ones who can do so. Yara is entirely correct: if she flees, she has allowed these bullies and fear mongers to win.

Instead, what we, as international spectators must do is remember our own struggles in the not so distant past that continue to affect us today. We must ensure that we do not allow these practices to once more invade our culture, as they are wont to do. We have the power to vote with our ballots, our wallets and our words. We must continue to do so.

alex awesome, philadelphia, pennsylvania, united states

I think that the views of Saudi Arabia's Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice are rubbish. The men on that commission are commiting sins everyday. I know that I will never travel to Saudi Arabia because of the lack of justice, lack of sensibility, and their lack of respect. Men and women are equal. They need to get that threw their thick heads.

Most people, Ontario, Canada

When is Bush going to invade Saudi Arabia to bring democracy to the country?

alan, germany,

Isn't it interesting how AFRAID radical Islamic men are of women. There is definitely a serious warp in the development of their character to make them so hateful and afraid. And perverted. I can pretty well guarantee they were watching during the strip search. Look what the TALIBAN did to young girls in Afghanistan. Disgusting. And they judge this woman? This radical movement needs to be prevented from spreading its poison. How? I wish I had the answer. At the least, the Western democracies should deport the radical clerics and close their madrasas.

Ingrid, Boca Raton , FL

Do not blame GOD for the sins of man......

If you have read the Quran.. you would find that this treatment of a woman is not allowed,,,

What you have are some very bad people who are USING gods words,,,

to justify there twisted ideas of what life should be,,,,

Mostly for their own political power...

Francis, minneapolis, MN,USA

sus, Washington,
Please by all means go there but just stay...........
Your attitude is not traditional American We are a religious country founded by religios people by a loving religion not the religion of hate and kill!

John, Seattle , USA, Washington

Saudi Arabia will not and can not change
its ways as long as Islamiust fascism
maintains its tentacles throughout
its society on every person living in
Saudi Arabia.

karl anglin, northridge, USA California

Why do people accept abuse in the name of religion. It remains abuse regardless of the excuse given. As a civilized society we must renounce persecution and the outdated "laws" that support it. If this results in rejecting the religion itself - so much the better.

Arthur C Martin, New Hope, PA

Being an American isn't so bad afterall. so stop the whining

Jack B, Jaefferson city, MO

If you go to Saudi Arabia, or deal with them, you practically are bringing this mess onto yourself. I am never setting foot there or doing business with these religious zealots. There are enough normal people in the world to do business with.

Robert Langdon, Berlin, Germany

The comment that the woman was obviously breaking the law in that country doesn't excuse the vile treatment she was given and the obvious bias of the Judge.
My opinion is we should put these medievil societies beyond the pale and not do business with them, especially the selling of arms to them.
Don't forget most , if not all, of the 9/11 murderers had Saudi passports. It scares me rigid.
Adrian Turner

Adrian Turner, aberystwyth, Ceredigion wales

In response to the chap from China. You have absolutely no idea what your talking about. This Saudi incident was clearly about proper moral and ethics and how to treat people. I don't care what country you live in, everybody should be equal. Obviously you have no idea of that living in a communist state that has no concern with individual rights.
And get your facts right will you. There has been many other powerful empires that have dominated in the past, the US is not the first one. Yes we must respect the values and manner of thinking of other, however, if this manner of thinking is disrespecting any human being for some ridicualous religouss or political tradition, then we as North Americans and Europeans understand that you must fight for good and decency becasue states Saudi Arabia and many others are ruled by despotic tyrants who persecute and torment their citizens on a daily basis. Now, we are in the wrong with defending and protecting states like this, that's another topic

Daniel, North America,

A lot of responses here talk about having respect for Islamic traditions and culture, particularly when living in an Islamic state. Fair enough. But why isnt' the reverse true? In the US, covering one's face is considered rude if you think about it. Americans associate covered faces with masks and criminals. So why don't Muslims have to respect our traditions? It all seems hypocritical to me.

heraclitus, boston, mass

... now why do people always have to bring america america this hasnt got to do with american laws or western laws for that matter, but Human rigths laws that have been ratified by hundreds of countries of all faith !

... to sus in washignton you may like to serve yourself a glass of booze before your read this : it's one thing to not like one law or another you got votes to express your opinion else wise in it's smaller form you got blogs and forums on the Net except perhaps in SA, China or Burma, it's very different to not like a law and to be abused morally and physically this woman had been living in that country for 8 years she defintley must have known her limits of expression but that time she got a bad surprise !

May her case be taken seriously and help other women in her situation.

Lars Vantif, Stockholm, Sweden

I agree with Joey. When you travel to another country, you should research their customs and culture, and behave likewise. Otherwise, stay home. This was just asking for trouble.

Cris, Idaho,

Saudi Arabia should close it's borders. Not allow anyone in or out. They should no longer do business w/, nor allow any of its citizens to relate personally or professionally w/ anyone who holds different cultural beliefs. If this were the case than their Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice could persecute their women folk all they want.
If they are going to actively engage the world than they should expect outrage over their human rights abuses. They should be prepared for others to contrast their draconian beliefs against more liberal cultures. They should expect others to insert themselves into their cultural business.
If our weak kneed cash cowed leaders were willing to a take a principled stand, oil be damned, we would see reform in SA.

Matt, Indianapolis,

"foreigner" from Shanghai makes a most ludicrous observation, one that (to our great sorrow) almost mirrors the same moral equivalence drivel that any American "progressive" might spout. Human rights, and specifically, a woman's right not to be treated like cattle, is NOT a simple matter of cultural traditions. Rather, it is a moral imperative to stand up to, and denounce in the most forceful terms, the degradation and oppression that still (sadly) occurs throughout the world. As to the gratuitous mention of Kent State, "foreigner" gives the wrong reference. Admittedly, the Kent State killings were a horrible mistake, one which was immediately recognized as such, and which has never been repeated since. Of course, that was more than 35 years ago, and was not, by any means, the result of a government policy. For a much more relevant - and recent - contrast, let us all remember a massacre known as Tian an Men Square. Please, "foreigner," tell us how (cont.)

njoriole, Bridgewater, New Jersey, USA

If the US would just adopt a no fossil fuels policy the influence of the sheiks would be diminshed. Then there would be no reason for a modern civilized person to be subjected to the sexist, racist, and intolerant religious zeal of people who yearn for the return of the 10th century and the caliphate of long ago. It's doable, it's sustainable, and we have the technology at our disposal NOW.

The end of demand for fossil fuels will also greatly deplete the Islamofascist terrorists of their greatest means of funding.

Yusef, Lancaster, PA

When in Rome, you OBEY ROMAN RULES! Not very difficult to understand. Germans don't go traveling overseas and drive 300km/hr on the local highways... If you're doing business in Saudi, you obey their laws, no matter how draconian (read: barbaric) they may be.

John, Los Angeles, USA

I see, a lot of comment saying - "their law is their law - follow it". Ok, if I ever (never) visit any of muslim countries, I will put scarf on my head and stay next to my husband all the time. But then I expect all muslims follow rules in my country. I don't like that Christmas, Easter, etc, holidays were canceled in my kid's school because it "offends" muslims. Seems that anything that doesn't belong to muslims' point of view gets bunned. Just try to tell any muslim in America that you don't like how he(she) behaves, you will get in a lot of troubles. I don't like being this "politically correct". The article above shows that no one muslim country is "politically correct" to us when we visit them. People, wake up, we are being so stuped to let strangers into our home with their own rules, and we are afraid to "offend" anyone by telling them they have to follow our rules. If they don't like something - let them go back to where they came from with all their rules.LOVE or LEAVE America

Helena, Long Beach, CA, USA

I love how we hear from liberal organizations like NOW and people like "Foreigner" from around the world about how Americans are such a repulsive and arrogant people, yet when a theocratic Islamic dictatorship abusively throws an innocent woman in the clink, these people either fall silent or advocate respect and sensitivity for the "unique" customs of these despotic regimes.

This doesn't have anything to do with oil or the ubiquity of American culture. This is about a human being.

When are human rights advocate going to stop ignoring the real issue – that women all over the world are being abused this way with the approval of society – and start fighting against the thugs who do things like this to women?

Oh, and Foreigner: What has China done lately to make the world a better place?

Aaron, Las Vegas, United States of America

Foreigner,
Saudi Arabia and places like will never be powerful like the US simple because of idiotic religious oppression such as this.
The simple answer is, religion is bad, all of it, everywhere.

Evolouie, Linton, Indiana

This is a good example for all those folks that think people throughout the world are just like us - t"hey may hate us and try to blow us up, but underneath, they value the same things we do"....nope. Wake up. Everyone in the world does not value the things we do in the West.

Josh, Leavenworth, Kansas

And yet those Muslims are buying properties everywhere wanting the West to adhere to backward Islamic law. It's her fault. Why did she marry a Saudi? She knew the country law considers middle eastern chicks as inferior breed, yet she immigrated to Saudi Arabia. Don't use tax payers' money to save anyone who foolishly and voluntarily adopt backwardness. Sorry, she needs to be an adult and face the consequences of living in a sickly rigid country.

Will the same law apply in England soon, beating up hot British babes in London because they jab on the phone and eyeball a dude instead of reciting the Koranic verses. Will the English Secret Police change its name to The British Commission of Spanking and Virtue?

dan, chicago , I

And these are the men that George Bush holds hands with and sells our country down the river for. Is there no shame here?

Morgie, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A

It is amazing to me that Women's Rights Groups are not screaming bloody murder on issues like these. Anyone who treats a woman like this shouild be strongly condemned. Where is the outrage?

Ken, B,ham, USA

Religion will be the downfall of man. It holds on to old ideas for way too long and for what reason? I don't understand how religious laws are helpful. Every person on the planet should be able to live how they choose and not what has been decided for them. Can't we stick with basic concepts like "don't kill people" and leave it at that? If someone wants to screw their neighbor's wife then that's their problem. They will work it out amongst themselves. Religions and governments need to get their noses out of people's business.

Of course anyone who believes in any religion will not understand any of these ideas because they have been conditioned to believe what they already believe. Good luck trying to get anyone to change their beliefs. It's not going to happen. I'm not saying I expect things to be different, it's just that life would be a lot nicer without religions.

Your friendly Athiest, enlightenedville,

I dont know why anyone is surprised by this stone age mentality of the Wahhabis against women. How ironic is it that members of the royal family and wealthy saudis can come and get educated, vaction, get medical care and basically do everything in the west that they are not allowed to do in their own country-(oh, I forgot drinking alcohol too)and I cannot even get a cab because the muslim driving it would not take me because i had a 6 pack of unopened beer going to a friends house.Oops, sorry that I offended you in my own country. So much for tolerance and respecting the laws, customs and religion of the host country that this cab driver lives in. It is a sick, pathetic and insanely outrageous double standard where Islam is concerned.

Artie, Minneapolis,

The best thing we can do is keep these kind of stories in the news and don't go there.

B McEvevoy, Kansas City,

Women are in slavery in Saudia Arabia, owned by male relatives. There must be some international standards since slavery has been outlawed worldwide except under the banner of Islam as it pertains to women. If women choose to be controlled by male relatives and do their bidding, that is their decision but to enforce it on a whole society is nothing less than slavery which is illegal everywhere in the world.

Justeen Ward, VAN NUYS, USA

In my short life, I have noticed an alarming trend. It seems to me that women are being treated "like cattle" in many countries, not just Saudi Arabia. According to BBC news, statistics show that a woman in South Africa has a greater chance of being raped than learning how to read. In the United States women and in many modernized christian countries, women who show a lack of morals but are superficial size twos with designer clothes are the role models. They fill reality shows, music videos and the news. They are the diet of todays youth. Since this appears to be a moral dilema and religion keeps coming up, I must fall back on a Bible teaching: Do we ignore Jesus criticism to point at the straw in others eyes and ignore the rafters in our own? Women with the tools to reach their full potential with dignity have become an endangered species in EVERY nation. Change begins at home both in families and in countries. If this doesn't outrage you, what kind of person have you become?

Lisa, Orange County, California, USA

Awww, I'm soooooo delighted that the sovereign funds of countries with such democratic and progressive views are block buying more and more Western power and influence in the form of bank shares, emergency funding and buyouts. Bring it on!

Anna, Leeds, UK

two observations--

1. The same people who say "this is saudi law" also tend to encourage the west to change their laws and customs to accommodate non westerners. Multiculturalsim provides a mechansim by which the west is always to blame, the non-west never accountable.

2. This will never be an issue to western feminists while western conservatism exists. This is what happens while feminist were busy hating George Bush.

todd ow, usa,

"The women rights issue is also not an American concern in any foreign country. It is the concern of their people."

really? what a pathetic and selfish attitude. presumably the americans won't care if the arabs walk into israel then? after all, it's somewhere over there. forget sending aid to africa or peacekeepers to darfur, too. bloody foreigners can sort out their own problem.

most people don't think like you, bob. to most people, suffering is suffering. you enjoy your safe little world, though.

jem, london, uk

As an American, raised by a single mother in this country, this story obviously gave me a repulsive knee jerk reaction. After a second of thought, however, I realized that I have no idea what Yara's actions must have been interpreted as by the locals there in Saudi Arabia.

Their culture says men and women, unrelated, should not mix in public. Although I don't agree with that, if I go there, I must educate myself about this custom, and compy with it while I am there. Else, I subject myself to the consequences. In the U.S., a power outage at your office could easily be circumvented by heading to a Starbucks with your mixed-gender colleagues. In Saudi Arabia, however, it seems a better solution would be to head to a private, more liberal thinking residence to complete the days work. Indeed, the Amsterdamian smoking a joint in Washington is a good example, by the commentor above.

Before you take a step, you might want to look at the ground on which your foot will tread.

Joey, Conway, USA/MA

The Americans always think they are 'right', they use think only the western customs are legitimate and only these are civilized behavious, but in fact they are wrong, they are just stronger than the other countries. Think of this, what if Saudi Arabia was the most powerful country in the world like the US, people will think this is completely right and also there will think what the American woman had done was completely illegal and she should be punished. If you want to criticize other people, you must respect the tradition and thinking of other people.
Ridiculous! The Americans always advocate the so-called 'human rights', remember one thing, when the students were taking their manifestation in the University of Kentfor the purpose of ending the war in Vietnam, four young Americans were killed by the police. These lovely kids were killed by their own govrenment . So, Americans, have you the got the right to critize on the issue of HUMAN RIGHTS??? Yara, take your time in Saudi

foreigner, Shanghai, CHINA

We wouldnt have so much trouble in the middle east if we werent allways over there sticking our noses in their business. People always like to say "those people have been fighting each other forever" but the truth is they have been fighting outsiders forever because they have stuff we want. Thats why we need to develop alternative fuel sources. Of course then there is still the matter of Israel?

KJ, DC,

Why would any American woman move to Saudi Arabia; or any muslim country? They have the right to their way of life, but who in their right mind wants it?

Sing, Missouri, USA

Talking about religious craziness. I'm an immigrant to US and I don't like some of the rules that are clearly based on religion. For example I don't like the fact that nobody would sell me booze on Sundays in a lot of states because it's church day. I don't like the fact that the last call in bars is at 1:30 am. I didn't like the fact that some fat security guard forcibly took my beer at 1:59 am in a bar in Texas. But I'm not challenging the American laws because I chose to live here. So why is everbody so upset? If you don't like it don't go there!
By the way, in my home country where the majority of people are actually muslim you can buy alcohol anyday of the week! Saudi Arabia is an exceptional country ruled by a king who happens to be a very good friend of the American president.

sus, Washington,

Bob of Seeknok is wrong. US women did stand up for their rights in the 20's but in Saudi Arabia public demonstrations are against the law...what would he have them do? Saudi women are under a deeply cruel system that barely recognizes their existance. They are meerly vessels for creating more Saudi men. Any behavior that implies more would result in such creative punishment as beating, drowning, permanent isolation in a "woman's room", lashing, rape, or a simple bullet in the head. None of these punishments would be deemed inappropriate by the men who meet them out. In Arabic nations women are on a par with livestock. When did Bob see cattle lead an uprising on their own behalf against McDonalds? The greatest tragedy is the Saudi women don't realize they might be able to make enroads to change things. They see no alternative and no other example. American women were educated, saw the emancipation of African Americans and live in a country that espouses freedom. Saudis do not.

JK, Bucyrus, Kansas

No human being should be treated like that, to do that in the name of a God or a religion is laughable.

Reid, Santa Cruz,

No government has the "right" to do this to anyone. Saudi law is no exception. every human has the right to be treated humanly. There is evil in this world and if good people stand back and do nothing then evil will prevail.

bryon, Detroit, Mi

Let's think about this for a minute.
Every member of the "Religion of Peace" is intolerant of anyone who doesn't believe as they do, and classifies those people as Infidels, attempting to convert Infidels via ANY means possible, including violance. While each and every practitioner of Islam won't actually get their hands dirty, they all condone and/or support it, their doctrine requires it. The Religion of Peace has clerics that can pretty much do whatever they want, to any woman they come across (quote “They took me into a filthy bathroom, full of water and dirt. They made me take off my clothes and squat and they threw my clothes in this slush and made me put them back on,...” - Were they just interested in seeing a naked woman? Or what was there another purpose for this degradation?). Tell me again how slavery and the Religion of Peace's treatment of women is different?

I find it exceptionally disturbing that anyone in this country can support or defend the Religion of Peace

Dan, Norfolk, Virginia

The Archbishop of Canterbury is a very naive man if he believes sharia would be good for Britain. Its the start of the slippery slope into the Muslim sharia laws dominating the British way of life and undermining the Common Law of the countr. It brings in ancient and very biased rules intended for one particular religion, which they want to impose on British society.

Keep sharia out of the UK completely as it is only a set of religious rules like all other religious rules for other faiths and is contrary to the British rule of law, and htey will use it to completely undermine the rule of law in the UK and anywhere else where we have appeasement like the Archbishop is suggesting.

Dave Ainsworth, Glasgow, UK

Most every religion depicts women as unclean, evil, and calls for them to be submissive. Some, more than others, goes to the extreme.
Who are we to intervene with another country's laws and religion? When another country is harming a huge part of it's population then the other nations should get invovled to stop it.
Women still have genital mutliations, get stoned to death for sitting with a man (the man does NOT get executed), etc.
To say this is okay in the name of god is ignorant and wrong!

emmaq, seattle,

There needs to by a systematic critique of Islam by scholars, historians and intellectuals to tackle the imams on their own terms. Unless Muslims become ashamed of their religion, nothing will change.

The West's political correctness has allowed this ideology a pass.

Diana, Minnesota, USA

Diana Sitek, Minneapolis, MN, USA

So if a native from Amsterdam lit up a joint in a Starbucks in Washington - they wouldn't be jailed? Of course they would because that would also be against American culture. Supposedly that's what the whole world is supposed to do - align to American laws and morals.****


This artical is not about culture, laws, or moral values. It is about human rights and more specifically the right of a woman to be in public with whoever she pleases. Why should this basic right be only afforded to men only? How can we sit back and justify denying people the right to be a human becuse a "law" says one can't. Sure you arnt supposed to smoke pot in our country but you are allowed to at least freely express your opinion on it without fear of arrest.

For all women that have posted in this blog and said she should have just followed the rules, if you lived there you could have been arrested just for participating in this blog right now. Think about it...

zeke, Birmingham, AL,

All views aside, at the end of the day, every single human being should treat all people in the way they too want to be treated! It is time all violent moslems and any other violent religion change toward something like this. Further, why sue Starbucks? Anyone who wishes that is as guilty and vindictive as these moslem police. Go for it lady. This is a wrong needing to be righted, not only for you but for many other religious victims!

Patrick, Port Alberni, Canada

Patrick and Jackie Little, Port Alberni, Canada

To those who say "who are we to argue with Saudi law?" I say that's completely beside the point. Their medieval law does not excuse the fact that she was treated like a piece of trash once she was arrested. If one of their women was treated the same way in the U.S. there would be a huge outcry. We should bar all Saudi citizens from entering the U.S. until the Saudi government issues a formal apology. But since King George and King Abdullah are bedfellows, that will never happen.

Kovacic, NYC, USA

"To say that the "men had long beards and white dresses" clearly shows your lack of cultural training before entering their country. Did your company not brief you or did you just blow them off becuase your an American?

As difficult as it is to imagine, there are other countries out there, with their own set of beliefs, laws, and social behavior. Next time learn about them before stepping off the airplane.

Rob, Seattle, , Washington"

Perfect example of muddle headed accomodation. Because she described the police's apperance in layman's terms instead of using the Sauid words, she is an ignorant person. (Despite her being born in Jordan, married to (presumably) a native, wearing the headscarf and sitting in the family area).

Yeah Rob, her American Centric ways are the problem here.

Multiculturalist, relativism crap.

Dave, Raleigh, NC, USA

Meh, I agree that she should not have gone out to a Starbucks with the male colleges of hers, but I don't agree the actions they took against her. They should have just warned her that she should not be doing that in their country and if she still persisted to stay with her colleges, THEN she should have been arrested and jailed.

Joe T., Seattle, Washington

Man is innately sinful...Born with a sinful nature...Instead of turning to the Creator of all, who sees all,and knows all hearts & thoughts.Man turns to man for answers to deal with sin with imposing burdens & Laws that entrap people not free them....But the Creator who has All wisdom & All knowledge.Has the answer. Instead we dont like His answer so We chose a Man to rule Not God..So we chose a Monarchy instead of a Theocracy.So ever since man trys to rule over man with evil sinful power & intentions.I am not surprised how evil people can be.Its not right.Of coarse you see the injustices, and cry out for the wongs to be righted in life.But in the end The Creator will make all things Equitable..RIGHTING the WRONGS may not be possible here though we should never stop trying,Until then We unfortunately gotta go through Hell herebecause of the sin of others. Remember we are only passing through once..Life is full of choices.Choose well. PRAY Ask for God to rule He's waiting for us

Cathy, Medford,

Bill C., LA,

Clearly you didn't read the whole article. You state:

"Why didn't she want to give her full name? Is she afraid her husband will find out?"

Had you read the whole article, you would realize that the reason she was freed was because of political connections here husband had. He helped secure her release, so obviously he knew what happened. Why are you surprised that Americans, especially American men are outraged by this? The type of treatment she received (being strip searched and forced to sign false confessions) should not be imposed on her or anyone else. One other point, she was arrested by the Mutaween. They are the "religious police" who are much more prevalent in Riyadh than in other other large cities (such as Jeddah, Dhahran, or Damaan). They go around enforcing rules from the Quran. Although it doesn't say in this article, one could assume she is not a Muslim. Why then are religious rules from the Quran being enforced/forced on a non-Muslim?

Rich, Ewa Beach, HI

Maybe we as Americans do not have a certain right to tell the Saudis what to do but as people of the human race who should expect some sort of dignity and certain rights then we do as people have a right to be angry against injustice. If the fact is they made her sign false documents then that in itself destroys the validity of this religious police. Remember those who live under the law shall die by the law. Thank God sent Jesus to free us from the law. We have a new law in our hearts and this law in my heart tells me that the Saudi law is a death sentence.

Neroh Dam, Cincinnati, United States

bob,

You are absolutely (and technically) correct: who are we to question the misogynist policies of backwards theocracies who abuse our citizens?

You would have made a "good German" back in the 30's.

Pete, Dallas, TX

I love the liberal views on this forum...either you say we are sticking our noses where we shouldn't, that we're pushing our own agenda or you go on a tangent about bush and oil. Give me a break! I thought the left was about human rights, anti-religion, women rights, minority rights and everything else good for humanity...which i strongly believe too. Regardless of their "laws" and self made police, this should not be accepted anywhere. Everywhere in the world, including the US, should stand up and be outraged by this. The biggest hypocricy I've seen here are the liberals and their views...with Bob from SEEKONK leading the pack!

Sanford Roberds, Tulsa, OK,

Yeh, but British prefered to invade Iraq which followed a laic policy before, there were women scientists and high officers with Saddam ... Saudi are our allies against extremism, so stop crticizing them please !!

Soufiene, Sheffield, UK

Ahh, yes, our great friends the Saudis. I look forward to seeing more photo ops with Bush and his Saudi buddies. As long as there is oil involved no one seems to care what kind of human rights abuses go on, in Saudi Arabia or anywhere else. But then again, this is a world where China can host the Olympics. Shameful. And yes, this is something that the current US candidates should address. Bob from Seekonk - if you were a woman, you would not be so blase about this kind of outrage. Maybe if it happened to your wife, daughter or mother you might feel differently. It's called empathy.

Kiki, Detroit, USA

Much of how Islam treats it`s women is from made up traditions ( by men of course ) and not even in the koran. Their law is their law of course, but if they treat foreigners this way can you imagiine how much worse it is for their own people? As far as the judge saying she had committed a great sin and will burn in hell..........yes, and the "moral police" will rest in paradise for torturing people? LOL

mickey, Detroit, Usa

You do just wonder what is the basis of such a law. Certainly as I read it, it is not Islam or the Koran. I think it is sometimes forgotten that the Koran can be bought at any quality western bookshop and we do know when claimed interpretations are not as they should be. What is the basis of such behaviour by these Police? Clearly that is not Islam or the Koran either. If they are true believers surely they consider that the divine can see into their hearts. Is it correct that these "Policemen" forced this woman to strip and then looked at her? We are above such things in the west and what was the motivation behind that?

Freedomknight, Rayleigh, England

I can't believe american are outraged by this.
And its even harder to believe the majority of aouraged are Men.


PS
Why didn't she want to give her full name? is she afraid her husband will find out?

Bill C., LA,

Only God can judge whether or not Yara will burn in hell. He doesn't need any assistance from the Mutaween.

Keith, Trenton, U.S. / Ohio

Why are so many people picking on Starbucks? They did not call the police on Yara. Why should they be sued? Why should they leave? Don't lose focus on the main point. It is not all religions who are the problem, it is radical islam, all wars currently going on around the world are caused by them. How many Quaker suicide bombers have you heard of lately? Buddist? Jewish?
I also think it is funny how people are saying we (Americans) need to be more sensitive about their customs when we go visit their countries and they have no regard for ours, our laws or our religions when they come here. I think we have become so PC we are committing cultural suicide!

Rocco, Houston, TX

Bob of Seekonk(?), it was legal to torture and kill Jews in Nazi Germany too. Maybe we should have just ignored that like a moron too?

Chris, clinton township, Mi

Yes...and not only do such practices set the stage for more abuse of women (and not in the kingdom just) but in Africa where female genitalia are surgically removed so that the woman cannot experience pleasure in any way...these customs are so backward and stand stark in the face of a world that If we could condone "social darwinism" of which in good conscience we cannot, Social darwinism could be an improvement...not only are they to be categorically a new world religion, of which we cannot fully and for good condone sentiently....with such practices like this.

Michael, Allentown, Pa.

Again, radical Islam is radical Islam. This stone age, fanatical religion takes away what God gave every man and woman and that is the right to use your own mind. Constantly forcing a belief on another person whether they want it or not and death if you do not accept it as your master. If this is a religion of compassion and love, I think everyone should be in real fear of what Satan's religion would look like. Stone age ignorance, oppression, dominance, and ultra cruelty seem to be sins in themselves that this so called religion is based on. God help them all!

mason, birmingham, alabama

Where is the outcry from the group named NOW?

Michael, nashville, usa

A great display Islamic tolerance and the pursuit of justice.

Also a question for the Islamic scholars if somebody is forced to sign a false confession and so lied under oath what happens to them and to the person that forces them to sign and lie.

Knight, aberdeen, uk

Terrible situation. Let's ask the canidates at the next debate. What do they think...canidates need to be tested...this is a great test queston.

chrisclark, Long Beach, CA

The Saudi Law is the Saudi law. Who are we as Americans to even think we have the right to break them? This woman broke the law. It's not up to the American government to step in and try to straighten out this situation. If the woman wants to take her business abroad, learn the rules. The women rights issue is also not an American concern in any foreign country. It is the concern of their people. US women stood up and protested for their rights which were wrongly abused by the US government back in the 1920's. No other country interviened and if they tried the US would not have tolerated it anyway.

bob, SEEKONK, usa

Satan is alive and well in Saudi. And his demons are the "Religious Police". Thank god that Jesus Christ is appearing to so many there.

T Stewart, Pittsburgh, USA

For reasons like this, we should support Walter Bellhaven for president.

Herb Sewell, Corona, California

Mustafa in Salt Lake City. You are being ironic right? The UK has a sizeable proportion of Muslims who live here and are hell bent on imposing their culture on the indigineous population here. We have on particular Muslim cleric here saying there will be "rivers of blood on the streets" until the West converts to Islam. I've seen the same in Australia, France, The United states and I'm betting any other western culture you care to mention. So please explain to me how this is any better than having a cup of coffee in Starbucks. I'll log on later intrigued to see your reply

Adam, London,

Well, the Americans [Goverment] will deal with people like that

Tony, Herts,

President Bush should demand an apology from the Saudi government. Forget about hurting the Saudi's feelings. They would have treated Laura Bush the same way. Shame. Shame.

jim Muskrat, Joplin, MO USA

I can't believe this is still going on in our world. Where is the international out cry over the way Muslims treat women? Sorry to say it, but if this had been a black man sitting with a white man, there would be an uproar. Where are all the activists who were so vocal about the treatment of blacks in South Africa, especially the feminists?

I for one will not be supporting Starbucks, for quite some time.

Keith Masters, Atlanta, USA, Georgia

Where are the quotes from the Muslin Council of Britain in this article?

A vicious insult to Western Culture?

Tolerance is a one way street though isn't it MCB.

Salty, Reading,

Commercial production of oil in Saudi Arabia began around 1938; FDR, a Democrat was in power and his administration oversaw negotiations. The first US airbase was opened in 1951, under Truman, another Democrat.

But all those who know no history, yell "Bush, Bush". ALL US administrations have been CLOSELY associated with the Saudis.

Eric, Ottawa, Canada

Did the woman in question check beforehand what she should do if such a situation occured? She is obliged to stick with the law of the land if she wishes to live in it. I realise it is not always easy to adhere to sensible rules as we are all human and fail often; I know I do, but as she is in a strict Islamic country it is up to her to ascertain where she stands and act accordingly. Perhaps if this country (England) had a stronger moral code in operation and enforced by law there would be less crime. There is freedom of choice here for which I'm personally pleased but I would prefer clearer guidelines from the government and law enforcing agencies in a wide area of life in Britain. Perhaps Sharia law is worth considering after all?

abda, bournemouth,

It seems ironic how the woman was in the company of unrelated men, who did not touch her, when the 'religious police' physically forced her into a car and stripped her naked in jail. What dirty hypocrisy.

Dictated oppression of women is a crime that challenges the foundations of sound reason. Not how, but why does the civilised world tolerate it. Religion, particularly the archaic barbarism of Islam as shown here, knows no rationality or reason.

Will Axe, London, UK

Starbucks should leave the kingdom at once, along with all other western businesses. As an aside, America gets most of it's oil from Canada and Mexico, not from the Saudi's.

Fred, Richmond, VA, USA

The sooner we ditch religion the better.

Sam Roberts, London,

The Yara incident comes only a few days after the UN released a report condemning discrimination against women in the kingdom. At this very moment, a UN expert on women's rights is visiting Saudi Arabia.

Perfect timing, don't you think?

Sarah Robinson, Chesterfield, Derbyshire

It is a sign of weakness when a faith treas women they way they do.

WMC, Las Vegas, NV

yes it is Saudi Arabia's country and laws and they can do business and enforce laws as they see fit. But we DO NOT HAVE to do business with them. If she is really an American she'll sue the crap out of Starbucks.

lynn, Dallas , TX

I agree with everyone that says she knew the rules and should have followed them. Just like the blacks in America should have stayed away from the "whites only" lunch counters and sat at the back of the busses. She sure is one uppity woman!

Don, Portland, OR

As an American, I'll be glad when we have alternative energy sources. Then the Saudis and others can drown in their oil for all I care.

In the meantime, we should do all we can to publicize the barbarism that permeates Muslim societies.

Mike Frazier, Fayetteville, AR

In the USA we are always told to be tolerant of other views. I'm tired of being told I need to be tolerant towards a religion and theocracy that is completely intolerant of the very system that is trying to accomidate it.
very
The evil West through endless introspection has reconciled its past sins of slavery, discrimination against women, religious persecution, etc. Maybe its time that the Saudis move out of the 11 century and atleast attempt to make it to the 20th!

Rajeem Parhada, Athens, Georgia

She is a brave woman for staying and fighting this. Unfortunately she will probably get 99 lashes as a result. At the minimum. She could actually be stoned to death for adultery like those two young woman have been sentenced to for talking with two men unrelated to them. I love the Religion of Peace! NOT!

Mohammed, Anywhere, US of A

Isn't the 'religion of peace" just wonderful?

Infidel1099, Cleveland, Oh.

Sharia, coming to the West because dhimmis in the Anglosphere are too chicken to confront it.

Aaron, Los Angeles, California

It is absolutely necessary that the US stand up for and protect its citizens abroad.

That is part of the basic purpose for a civil government.

Schaper, Rochester,

I am confused. Is she American or Saudi?
http://arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=106499&d=5&m=2&y=2008
It her nationality becoming "audience specific"?!

Yara who supposedly spent 8 years in Jeddah, can tell you that Saudi Arabia is not just "Riyadh". Riyadh, the central part of Saudi Arabia, is more conservative in its nature and its people, and the religious police are allowed to play a larger role. They are given greater liberties by the prince responsible for Riyadh, as well as the submissiveness of the society in general. I am assuming that Yara's stay in Jedda is what made her think "Saudi Arabia was becoming more liberal". Its almost like living in Oregon and thinking the United States is liberal!

Yara would also tell you that no human, especially if they are American, will still live in Saudi Arabia unless they have reasons to do that. To name a few, stable family life, excellent income, no taxes, luxury of life, ability to take off/vacation yearly.

Aysha, Tigard, OR

Ah Yes! Islam, the religion of peace! Give me a break!

John, Lynbrook, USA

Some of you need to more fully read the article.

To say things like Tom said... "If she's going to do business in Saudi Arabia or in any muslim nation at all she should be smart enough to educate herself on the culture of the place."

Or like Mustafa..."It is outrageous that this woman comes to a foreign country, flaunts her western values, and tries to impose her religious beliefs on these people."

Just displays your bias and ignorance. The article clearly states that she is Jordanian, though born in Utah, he husband has an Arabic name, Hatim, who is obviously well connected, which implies he is Saudi himself, and she wears an abaya and headscarf, clearly she had "cultural training."

No, the problem is the wackiness of the Mutaween and their intolerant approach to enforcing their views of Islam and the Koran. As long as the House of Saud allows this, the best and brightest of Saudi Arabia will continue to leave the country, and feelings of resentment against the kingdom will grow

Craig, Kansas City, Missouri

This couldn't happen without Americans buying and driving SUVs

john, Kirkland, WA

The question here is not how this American woman was treated, neither is it a question of "culture".
It is simply a SMALL view into a society that oppresses and brutalizes women!
To blow this off as just some "other culture" that we should respect is insane. Maybe we should have respected Hitler's "culture"?
Anybody who really wants to pipe up on this subject should inform themselves first by reading such books as:
"Princess" by Jeanne Sasson which gives some insight into the lives of woman in the Saudi Arabian Kingdom.
Having an opinion on a subject is one thing, excusing brutality as "culture" just because you have no clue as to the depth of the problem is quite another.
Maybe we should have left our "culture" alone the way it was a couple of hundred years ago when women could not vote and the country condoned slavery?

E. Kristalla, STL, Missouri

---Save the world, ban all religion!---

It is impossible to ban religion, as even non-belief of God is a belief! Seperation of church and state is what is needed, as civilized countries represent.

Jack, Columbia, MS

If you really were a "lefty" or "liberal" then you would demand Hillary Clinton tell her husband to give back the $20 million he just got from the Saudis. Prove yourself!

Cathy, So Cal,

Why? Saudi arabia is one of our best allies in the fight against al quaeda terror
So says Mr Bush...

Olivier Cazier, paris, France

I was born to immigrants in the UK. Growing up i was always verbally and physically abused for being 'different'. A favourite cry of the right wingers was 'obey the laws of the county you are in'! At the age of 21 i moved to Saudi Arabia and lived in a British compund where, i have never come across a bigger group of extreme right wingers, who never respected the country they were in, the people who lived thier and at a loss to themselves they never tried to understand the religion or the culture of the country. They were too busy having sex at every available opportunity, getting drugged up or boozed up.... i kid you not! The stories i could tell you about British expats, their arrogance and behaviour would leave you completely dumbfounded.

As the highest earners in Saudi Arabia, they made it their 'mission' to regulalry and 'deliberately' challange authority at every level. It is in response to these actions of the few that the Saudi's have cracked down.

seth taylor, cambs, uk

Here's a thought, replace the word 'American' with the word 'Indian' then see if you really care the same!

baxter, newcastle, uk

"...And all Osama Bin Laden wanted was for the US to take their planes off of sacred ground..."

I wasn't aware that Bin Laden held a government position of authority in Saudi Arabia from which he could make such demands.

You give Bin Laden the moral authority to attack us on the basis of this? How very pathetic.

Ron, Temple, Tx

Respecting the RIGHT of people to hold certain religious, social or ethnic beliefs (as a matter of tolerance in a pluralistic society or world) does NOT require us to accept, respect or tolerate these--here in the USA or anywhere else in the world-- when these peoples' actions result in the mistreatment, harm or marginalization of human beings.

Those who do act basely on their beliefs, especially when by hiding behind discriminatory laws or customs/religious mores in order to do so, deserve nothing but our firm reproach, and we should be quite clear that their actions are unjust and unacceptable in all times.

Man's inhumanity to man, the ongoing saga of the human as destructive super-chimp hiding behind delusional unassailable beliefs that trump rational thought and knowledge of the natural world, must stop soon, or our species' sojourn in this world will be but a brief blip in the geological record.

Bill Stinnette, San Anselmo, CA

Love to see the mainstream media get all worked up about this!

But it doesn't happen. I'm glad the timesonline printed this.

Here's a big thank you to the editors.

This kind of stuff gets whitewashed in the U.S.

For whatever reason, the liberally controlled media can't abide these types of news stories.

jim, tampa, USA/FL

It's nice that Sheri exudes such support for absolute sovereignty.

Should we just chalk Darfur up as an internal matter, with internal rules to be obeyed?

What about the pogroms passed by Nazis in WWII. Should the Jews have just followed the laws and shut up?

At some point human rights have to trump sovereignty.

Collin, Eau Claire, Wisconsin

The rules are the rules unless you're a muslim male living in the UK.

barbaramar, clapham, SW4 0NG

Gee, Bush just sold them millions of dollars worth of arms, and we are funding their economy by buying their oil, and yet they have no human rights. The Bushes have been in bed with the Saudis for decades. We do not care about Democracy or we would boycott them.

Donna, Atlanta, GA USA

Regardless of whether we agree or disagree with the Saudi Arabian law, it is their county and they can conduct business as they see fit. It is none of our business what happens in Saudi Arabia. Here in America we expect foreigners to follow our laws, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. My advice is, if you are going to Rome, do as the Romans, or be prepared to suffer the consequences.

Ezra, Marion, USA, MT

What is the difference between Saudi Islam and Taleban Islam?
There is no oil in Taleban Islam.

roger sykes, christchurch,

When in Rome..... Need we say more? To each country his own. There are rules. Respect them. I knew 12 years ago that what that businesswoman did was against the law.

I am a businesswoman; but there are different rules in different countries. Learn them, respect them and be happy your own country is different.

Sheri, Gulf Breeze, Florida

I find it unbelievable that anybody living in KSA does not know the rules, like them or not, the rules are the rules. And for people originally from the region there is no excuse.

David, Adelaide, Australia

A Danish mother, Anette Sorensen, was arrested in May 1997 after she left her baby daughter in stroller on the sidewalk to go inside a restaurant in New York City.

When one is a guest in someone else's country it is good practice follow their rules. This doesn't excuse the alleged poor treatment by the authorities after her arrest but it is a sad fact that seems to be a world-wide problem. Yara sure got a better deal than Rizana Nafeek though.

Personally, I would be loath to voluntarily subject myself to a medieval (referencing a point in time – not an opinion on the merits of the system) judicial system.

Eric, Holmdel, NJ USA

Saudi Arabia a long time US ally....Surely they don't do things like arrest women for sitting with men. It would be unAmerican...And Bush holds hands with their king...

And all Osama Bin Laden wanted was for the US to take their planes off of sacred ground....That's ALL he wanted....that was it.............and of course the US said No..........................

That's why we want the separation of church and state in the US...We know what happens when Christians or another group take over. Salem witch trials. Removing children from church non attenders in North Carolina.

The problem in the US is historia amnesia.

Rev Gerald Oleson, Bangor, Maine

There is a thin line between culture and religion. One should really study and research to know the differences...

Allen, Calgary, Alberta

So ironic how times and rhetoric change. A very liberal president Jimmy Carter based his entire foreign policy on Human Rights. Now, we have liberal apologists who would rather condemn America than actually take a stand against oppression.

Gene, Cleveland , Tenn

Muslims need to pull their culture out of the 11th century. This is an excellent example of why religion has no place in a rational society of laws. Save the world, ban all religion!

Spiff, New York, USA/ NY

It's gender apartheid.

Lizzy, Sydney, Australia

It's bizarre how many of the comments on this article are referring to the American "Left" and the "Liberals" and "NOW." What does any of that have to do with this article? Clearly these commenters only "know" "liberals" as they are portrayed on Fox and in Ann Coulter's books. I'm a liberal (I consider myself left of the Democratic party on every issue) and I find this woman's treatment offensive, oppressive and asinine. There is absolutely no excuse for this.

Freedom and oppression are not binary (on/off, yes/no). There are degrees of freedom and oppression. Just because the US is more free doesn't mean there is no sexism or racism. So these guys that want us to kiss Bush's feet because he allows men and women to sit together at Starbucks need to develop a more sophisticated thought process. Yes, I'd rather live in the US than in Saudi Arabia. Than doesn't mean the US can't be improved in some ways. Some day you should meet a real liberal, not the Fox Straw-Man "lefty."

Marshall King, Dallas, TX

Why are some liberals in this forum such moral relativists? "It's their country, we should allow them to do what they want". Well, I am sorry, but NO! They shouldn't be left to carry out medieval things that are objectively backward. Oh, of course, if it's not GWB's America, then it's all right to do any sort of horrors, eg did you hear Al Qaida is now training children? I am sure the liberal media will start screaming "that's what they are reduced to do because the Evil West oppresses them". Yeah, right. Some things are just plain wrong and we should be less PC and lobby against these.

Anibal Lesgow, Buenos Aires, Argentina

the comment about cigarettes at Starbucks in DC is well taken

H, Tampa, FL

To all who think this is America infringing on another culture, maybe, just maybe, some American ideals are good. Perhaps the one where women are allowed to sit in public with male colleagues is one of them. "culture" should not be a veil to allow for such atrocities.

N, Tampa, USA

I am responding, in part, to the latest comment here.

The "news" story, which had no opinion from the writer in it that I can identify, was informative on the arrest of an American citizen, ex pat, in Saudi Arabia. The only reason it was news is because she was from the west. This happens to many many Saudi Arabians every day, but does it make the international or your local news?

People care about people, but many people in Saudi Arabia are deeply devout in their religion and accept this "vice" squad as helpful. Just as in the last millenium when the Christians were in control, they made sure people followed their rules too. If you say countries are okay because they have different standards, doesn't make you consevative or liberal, it makes you selfless and nonjudgemental. On the other hand, to want to force people to change makes you arrogant and selfrighteous bordering on fanatical. I am sure I do not need to give many examples of this behavior.

K, Ft Laud, USA, FL

We should not be in their Countries, and vica versa, what's good for the goose is good for the gander. Tensions will be less if we have a pact / agreement, and stay away from each other. Cats and dogs are a misfit.

Steve, Manchester.,

We'll just pile-on here.

The American Left is invariably silent, or even 'understanding of cultural differences' in cases like this. Honor killings, circumcision of women, brutal treatment for contrived 'crimes' and the systematic dehumanization by Islam is ignored or tut-tutted. NOW and the Left engage in full cognitive disonance while screaming about American 'oppression of women and minorities'.

It takes no guts to call America or G.W. Bush faschist oppressors. All those NOW-gals should fly to the Kingdom and give them a public dose of their rhetoric. They'll be screaming for that oppressor, G.W. Bush to come to their rescue...

Willilam , Oceano, CA

Starbucks stock has fallen 50% in the past year... they definitely need to be there, despite the intolerance of the Saudis. If Muslims want to segregate themselves, fine; but don't jail people who don't. They're also oppressing the women in THEIR country, nevermind Americans. We don't jail people for wearing veils.

J M, Providence, RI

I lived in Saudi Arabia for a year and found out right away that places like Starbucks have two sections; one for single people and one for married to sit with each other. In the "single section" you did not sit with someone of the opposite sex. I'm sorry, but if this woman sat with someone that was not her husband anyway and went to jail, than it's just too bad for her.

Sam Spade, Dayton,

Western women should stay in the west. Western companies should either leave their female employees at home or show them the many articles covering the brutal and prehistoric treatment of women in that country and explain to them the dangers of being in that country. For me I'd never set foot into a muslim country under any circumstances.;

Joan Kerrey, Palm Springs, CA

I am amazed to see people defending the Saudi's. Must be liberals. They can only find fault in America and every discriminatory practice in other countries is ok because it is their "culture".

Larry Steinberg, Peoria, USA/AZ

So if a native from Amsterdam lit up a joint in a Starbucks in Washington - they wouldn't be jailed? Of course they would because that would also be against American culture. Supposedly that's what the whole world is supposed to do - align to American laws and morals.

Will, Chicago, USA

First Gillian Gibbons, and now this!

It is past time for the West to shed its reliance on these zanies for any oil at all. We in the U.S. should make energy independence our #1 national priority. That would include: (1) A full-throttle R&D effort to discover and tap whatever is going to be the new-new energy source. (2) Immediate construction of as many nuclear power plants as we need. (3) Immediate drilling for oil, wherever the oil is - and building the requisite refineries. (4) Maximal use in the short term of home-grown energy sources such as coal, with accelerated replacement of these sources by new, cleaner energy.

To continue allowing a gaggle of repressive regimes living in a circa AD 700 parallel universe to have significant sway over our economy is nuts! It is time for us to grow up, step up, and make the West energy independent.

Mary McPhee, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

I agree w/ Richard, it would have made far more sense to invade Saudi Arabia than Iraq, as Saudi Arabia continues to export jihadism worldwide.

bob n, Villa Park, IL, USA

I am a little perplexed -- I know only men can even visit Saudi Arabia. How was she allowed to work? There is a loophole if you are married to a foreigner? I know that an American Woman would not be granted a VISA to do business in Saudi Arabia -- only men.

Also -- I know tourists are barred from Saudi Arabia.

Mark, San Francisco, CA

If she's going to do business in Saudi Arabia or in any muslim nation at all she should be smart enough to educate herself on the culture of the place. She shouldn't have this notion that she's "above culture" because she's American. Lesson learned?

Tom, Cambridge, MA, US

Don't expect the US government, via the Embassy there, to give any help. We are all oil cowards and will let the Saudi's walk all over us to keep it flowing. American citizenship is meaningless there and this has been going on for decades and decades and decades and decades. We love "democracy so much" we will sell it down the river at first opportunity. The woman has American citienship - worthless.

Andy, Dallas, USA, Texas

It is outrageous that this woman comes to a foreign country, flaunts her western values, and tries to impose her religious beliefs on these people. Shame on her. She should have stayed in Utah.

Mustafa, Salt Lake City, USA/UT

I've just been reading Daniel Finklestein's article about a proposal to install loud-speakers on a mosque in England to issue the call-to-prayer, which rightly and inevitably has been met with lots of opposition on the 'when in Rome, do as the Romans do' principle.

I think the same applies in this case - you may not like their laws and customs, but if you visit their country it is up to you to respect them. Noone forced this lady to go there. I do not believe she is justified in staying around in order to 'make a difference' - this is exactly the kind of behaviour we find intollerable in immigrants.

Ed Bullen, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Mix an archaic religion and politics = MADNESS!

james, Melbourne,

And here I thought that cultures are equivalent, and that none of us have the right, particularly Americans, to judge other cultures against our own standards of right and wrong.

Steve, Seattle, USA

The House of Saud will be forcibly removed from power unless it reforms itself.

Philip, iowa City, Iowa

To say that the "men had long beards and white dresses" clearly shows your lack of cultural training before entering their country. Did your company not brief you or did you just blow them off becuase your an American?

As difficult as it is to imagine, there are other countries out there, with their own set of beliefs, laws, and social behavior. Next time learn about them before stepping off the airplane.

Rob, Seattle, , Washington

WOW! and they are supposed to be our friends and allies ?
and 9 of them (Saudis) were on the planes attacking us on 9/11.
where is anybody speaking up against all this ?

flo, New York, New York

...These (ire)religious police do more damage TO Islam then either M. Atta, and/or, George W. Bush!

R.G. Frano, A.C.L.S., jersey City, NJ, USA

I used to think that Saudi's were half-nuts because of things like this. Now, I'm convinced of it.

Jimbo, Springfield, USA / Illinois

Things have not gotten better in the thirty years since I worked for the Saudi government. Back then a favorite stunt of the Mutaween was to carry cans of black spray paint and spray paint the legs of women whose dresses were "too short", i.e., not scraping the ground. They were ignorant louts and thugs and were hated, despised, and feared in equal ,measure by most reasonable people in the Kingdom.

David, Boston, Massachusetts

Ahhhh, the religion of "peace and love."

Art, NYC, USA

These ancient customes and beliefs will survive, but they need to be driven into the dark nooks and crannies where society hides all of its other dark excesses and aberrations, like drug addiction, insanity, and prostitution. This will only happpen with great personal sacrifice, courage, and the light of media attention. But, i really believe these ideas are part of the fabric of the world and they will persist.

John Thomas, Wilmington, NC, USA

this is very disgraceful. she should leave at once and spread this news to the american press through television appearance so the world will learn about the disgraceful
act of the Saudis

eleni leto, new york, new york

This is outrageous. I wonder if the American leftist radical group NOW will try and do something in between their screaming at George W. Bush for oppressing women? I gather that NOW could care less about women's rights anywhere but during an American Republican administration. But that's just me.

mal, Woodbridge, USA, Va

This is simple. Starbucks should leave THE KINGDOM. They can afford to and they should in order to make a statement. Or perhaps the bottom line is more important.

Ruckus, Myrtle Beach, SC USA

Its obvious America attacked the wrong country.........Saddam would have been a lot nicer to American women, and he had plenty of oil

Richard Allen, New York City ny, USA

A continued attitude of appeasement will only perpetuate this type of sexist behavior. These people know we fear them and will never change their ways. Religion of peace? I think not. Intimidation on a worldwide scale is why you have no moderate Muslims coming forward to fight this type of backward, hateful, eletist, religiosity. It's either that or there really are no moderate Muslims...

Ask a Muslim friend if he believes you are an infidel. You might be suprized by the answer.

Donald Bleyl, Bellville, Texas