Tuesday, September 12, 2006
‘Girls of Riyadh’ Faces Saturday Court Verdict
Sep 6
The Saudi Court of Grievances will decide on Saturday if a novel by a Saudi woman about the love lives of young, wealthy Saudi women in Riyadh is enough to fine the author and to crack down on the sale of her book, the Al-Yaum newspaper reported yesterday.
“Banat Al-Riyadh,” or “The Girls of Riyadh”, by Rajaa Al-Sanie, is controversial because it addresses behaviors of young women that go against the norms promoted by Saudi society. As such, the book is officially banned in the country but is still widely available.
A group of Saudi citizens have filed a lawsuit against Al-Sanie for slandering Saudi society. If the court rules in favor of the plaintiffs, Al-Sanie, who is currently out of the country, could face a fine of an undisclosed amount and authorities would crack down on the sale of the book in the Kingdom.
Some local newspaper columnists have decried the book, criticizing it not only for what they claim is the negative portrayal of Saudi women but also for its depiction of Saudi men as sexist boars.
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Sep 11
Hearing Postponed
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