Last night I finished watching “The Freelancer” – sole purpose of this series was to rescue a girl who is married and belongs to a muslim family which then taken to the most sensitive area in the world and then her struggle begins, not only her but the people associated with her also start struggling to get her back home.
Later today, I watched Dunky, the most awaited film of King Khan. Again the struggles shown of those four people to settle in England is precisely addressed and exceptionally played; as usual King is King and Tapasi Panu, really is one of the subtle and brilliant actresses.
The plot of both the stories are based on the Humanity, in Web series, the way it has shown that how a lack of humanity kills humanity which reminds a quotes of Nelson Mandela:
To deny people their human rights are to challenge their very humanity
While today we discuss the gender equality, or human rights, men and women in some countries are not even addressed for their basic human rights! I remember a conversation with my friend who is from Yemen, and now is migrated to Australia; we met while we were pursuing our studies in Australia; while we were having conversation about human life in Saudi, he implies that only few years back in 2018, women in Saudi have gotten the driving rights!
That was really a NEWS to me! I was astonished and disappointed at the same time. Why, I don’t know, but I didn’t agree with his statement when he added that “We respect women, hence we don’t usually allow them to do such things!”
While we were seating and discussing in developed country, I started arguing with him and one more friend who was also from Saudi; that it has nothing to do with women’s respect when you are not allowing her to live her normal life! He couldn’t make me understand that why these rules are applied only to women, or why was he always so concerned about my safety.
The largest and most influential region, Saudi Arabia, was renowned for its strict enforcement of Islamic law, which has governed the lives of women, for a long time. In the past, Saudi women would required the consent of a male guardian in order to travel, marry, or participate in economic activities. Women’s visibility in government, business, and education was restricted due to the strong segregation of their public lives from that of men.
Hijab, a traditional dress of women, which according to him was again to respect a woman irrespective of their ages. Well, at this point I stopped arguing and start understanding the cultural difference. In Saudi, the lives of women have been shaped by cultural, religious background, supported by legal framework; which has significantly imposed the limitations. However, in recent years, there is a transformational wave which has witnessed the reformation of women empowerment and expanding their roles in society. The example was issuing driving license to exploring the fashion industry.
According to Princess Noura bint Faisal Al Saud:
“With more women traveling and becoming more exposed, I see Saudi women finding their own fashion sense. They are becoming more confident and bold in their fashion choices; and giving their own personal touch that is very Saudi – and I love that.”
However, still in some regions, women struggle to achieve basic human rights is an interpretation of lack of compassion and humanity. The freedom to choose the educational background or profession, pressure of prioritising family over career/ambitions and societal attitudes seem reluctant to change.
When discussed further these restrictions were not only imposed to women but to younger people especially to men. The freedom of expression is highly restricted to all citizens. My friends were less talkative than me, and were amazed with inquisitive questions! Well, at some extent I was irritable to them? may be, but I was not really convinced even then. Never-mind, that was friendly discussion, which pulled me in different curiosity of understanding their culture. My many why’s? how’s? cultivated into this article and compelled me to pen down my thoughts. Honestly I admired my arebic friend, his then shy and reserved nature which later terribly flipped into 180 degree :D.
When you wakeup with no other intensions but to worship ALLAH, you have found the purpose of life.
In Dunky, the way King Khan asks in the court why there are so many restrictions on visas or languages spoken in those countries, particularly for people who have not been obliged with basic human rights, or who can not afford the visas; I completely second his argument that in-spite of the fact that every countries have norms; I guess some can definitely altered based on global situation. Ultimately, the sole purpose of human life should be the humanity and not the religion and unless we achieve this we really can’t say that we’re progressing!
The greatness of humanity is not in being human, but is being Humane – Mahatma Gandhi