New Saudi female diver facing dificulties

[Ian T]

Who has flamed anyone here because of culture? Or jumped on top of it?

I commented on some of the suggestions - saying that there might be difficulties for Nada to go to the Red Sea or diving on a boat with men. If you think this is bashing, well - that's up to you...

Nada, if boat diving is out of the question, there are a lot of places where you can go shore diving, but as far as I know, most of them are on the west coast. Other people than you have probably had this problem, so see what they say.

 

[Ian T]

oops...
in my last post....

"so see what they say"
they = the dive center/s

 

[Allison Finch]

Travisc:

I was responding to Nada who wrote,

"We are looking for any saudi female divers who can help us by telling us how do they go about it? and how do they manage to dive? As far as I heard there are a lot of Saudi female divers in the Westren area of saudi."

As I have lived and dove in the KSA (since as early as the 1970's) I have developed my own cultural and political opinions as well, but as I read Nada's original note, before we all jumped on top of it, she is asking "how". I, and this is personal as are all our comments, like to stick with the "how" and not get into the "why" if it does not help resolve the "how".

Take Care

Tom, just because we like to stick our heads in the water doesn't mean we have to stick them in the sand.

 

[Belushi]

I found that whilst in Malaysia (57% Muslim) that Saudi's came over to dive on the East Coast of Malaysia because life was much easier on all concerned.

Now I am not saying that you should holiday in Malaysia, but this was an indication of a predominantly mulsim country that does tolerate women diving on their own.

I am also sure that in Hurghada (Egyptian Red Sea) that there will be dive boats run by "Westernised" Companies that do not care of your religious beleifs and will happily take you diving.

Good luck and may you find a place to dive in peace

 

[Nomaster]

A Great Scuba Forum is not the place for international politics. There are enough forums for that. Lets try to help the 'Scuba Related' issues, and leave the politics out.

Safe Diving . . .

Is it not SCUBA related that a person is not allowed to dive?
What am I missing here?

Tom

I do not beleive that "this" forum is the appropriate place for politics, even if it relates to diving. It is too easy to move from discussing "dive related" matters (in a non bashing manner) to governments, religion, culture - often without even realizing that's what others are reading into our words. I try not to forget that my words do not always carry my intent well, no matter how hard I try to write from the heart.

Sometimes words and meanings are missread by others - even though they were written as "well meaning" words. Why look for trouble - here? My response was to address how to get a diver in the water.

So, at least for me, I focus on the dive issue (within the limits of my own capabilities) and try to leave my politics out of it. Not to say I do not have my own thoughts on such aspects, but I try to open my mouth only when I think it will add value.

Bottom line, my thoughts on politics, religion and so on will not help get Nada in the water any sooner or with more pleasure.

Well, my misread of your point corroberates your point, I guess.
I wasn't thinking about the cultural-political bashing aspects.

Tom

Travisc:

As I have lived and dove in the KSA (since as early as the 1970's) I have developed my own cultural and political opinions as well, but as I read Nada's original note, before we all jumped on top of it, she is asking "how". I, and this is personal as are all our comments, like to stick with the "how" and not get into the "why" if it does not help resolve the "how".

Take Care

Well, you had to write the whole book, but you have me completely in your camp now.
Tom

 

[Nomaster]

The main goal for my post in the first place was to search for any Saudi female diver on this board. Since I could not find any other way from inside the kingdom to get their names or adress. I was hoping since this is a famouse international dive board that atleast one of those divers will pop up.There is a very big chance for us to get this issue sorted out by Getting in touch whith one of them because I am sure that they have a special way to get into the water.
This not to say that we are not open for advice and suggestions from others. for sure your support made a great difrence and for some reason gave me hope.
I loved the diving so much and i will never give up. I am still looking forward for my permanent licience, bying my personal equipment, and taking the advanced diving course including night and wreck diving.
Thanks again for all the support, now I am starting to get hocked to this board and making lots of diver friends. I realy love this underwater world.
Which us luck.

I'm very happy that you found us and hope that othe Saudi women will too, and then you may create your own community right here.

Tom

 

[zfallah]

Hi nada, hope you found a solution to your problem. and if since you are close by, should you be visting dubai in the near future, let me know we can organize a nice diving trip.. and you definetly would'nt have a problem getting on a boat..

Good Luck!

 

[Mako Mark]

This sounds like a dream business opportunity waiting to be snapped up. "Diver Services for Saudi Women Divers". Where there is a demand, therre should be a supply.

Nada, why dont you go into business?

.

 

[mike_s]

This sounds like a dream business opportunity waiting to be snapped up. "Diver Services for Saudi Women Divers". Where there is a demand, therre should be a supply.

Nada, why dont you go into business?

.

Are Saudi womeon allowed to own businesses? I think they aren't even allowed to drive and must be "escorted" while out by a male member of the family.

 

[radinator]

Perhaps there are already such businesses catering to Saudi women divers. The difficult part is probably finding them, which Nada is trying to do with her post.

I wish you luck, Nada. My girlfriend started diving with a dive experience in the Red Sea, and tells me it is worth the trip.