Coping Strategies

So I'm working on coping strategies. Some days are better than others.

A practice that I tried to make a habit in Indonesia and rely heavily upon, here, is this one: whenever the prayers are broadcasted ("blasted" would be a more accurate term!) I pray and, if I'm in an appropriate place, sing some worship songs/hymns that relate to the Trinity or Jesus Christ -- God's only Son. That helps.

I usually sleep through the early morning (4:30 - 5:30ish) prayers, having adjusted to the noise. That means only 4 other 20 minute stretches per day.

Where I am totally failing in coping strategies is when I'm out and about in the sea of black tents (women in abayas and hijabs). In other countries where coverings are common I am not so bugged by the garments. I guess it seems more like a personal choice -- some women choose black, some choose lovely pastel scarves and western clothing, ... I realize that for some of the gals it is forced upon them by their husbands. Or by the ultra conservative teachers in their region. Or their fathers. But that's more of a private, family issue. Frustrating but tolerable.

But here ...

Well, it's just sooo irritating to see it forced upon every woman, regardless of her beliefs and convictions.

But what's even more baffling is the women who go beyond the required covering to gloves, slits-only face coverings, undecorated black, ... I've asked expats about the "whys" and Jim's been able to talk with one male Saudi with whom he works. There are no clear answers. It's not the law, though in more conservative areas of the country like Riyahd, it is.

Sometimes it's the husbands who require it. But very often it's the choice of the woman, herself. There's some competition amongst the women, it seems, as to who is more devout. And there's a lot of pressure, I've been told, to be so devout that the husband will not need another wife in order to guarantee his good-living in eternity.

I've heard that these women live under the constant fear that their husbands might: a) get another wife (men can have up to four wives ... 1, 2, 3, 4! ... if they can prove to the gov't that they are able to financially support them and their future children) or b) divorce them.

Such fear. Such bondage. Such isolation.

The real tragedy is that many want it, are choosing it, defend it, and look down upon others who don't embrace it. And that's what's making me nuts!

It's tough to find a way to cope with that one.

P.S./FYI:

The Quran does not explicitly teach that women must be fully cloaked, have heads covered, etc. Just a couple of verses refer to it at all and it's mainly in the context of Mohammed's wives.

Here in this country, the movement for women to be covered and separated from men is quite a modern development which began in the 1980s.

Saudi Arabia's government is a monarchy with a king-chosen Council of Ministers and a king-chosen Consultative Assembly of 150 people. The constitution is the Quran. Their law is Sharia Law.