Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Men are not allowed to walk dogs (or cats) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia due to newly passed law
The reason why men aren't allowed to walk dogs or take cats out on a stroll in Riyadh as of Wednesday is because they aren't allowed to buy pets there any more. A hamster, maybe. A goldfish, probably, but not a dog or a cat. If a person has a pet already, the person can keep the pet, just not take it outside. As of Wednesday, the ban went into effect.
According to this AP article, some men, it seems, were using their furry friends as a way to get up close and personal with women and bother families--a big no no in Saudi Arabia. The sexes are to be separate from each other. Dogs and cats are ice breakers for bridging the divide.
As bans go, this one sounds a bit loosey goosey since as of the writing of the article, people didn't know about the ban, including a pet shop owner. The other detail the article pointed out is that it's not often that people walk dogs in Riyadh anyway and when do people really walk cats?
From what the people who were interviewed said, it doesn't sound as if people are planning to follow the ban, just like what happened when there was a ban on cell phones with cameras back in 2004. The fear there was that people of the opposite sex would use the cameras to take pictures of each other. People didn't go along with that ban so it was dropped.
If you are planning on heading to Saudi Arabia, I'd leave the pooch or kitty at home unless you don't mind them having a stay under the care of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, the name for the religious police who are doing the pet confiscating.
One thought about this ban is that it's really to control pet ownership which is seen as a Western influence. Dog ownership has not been part of Saudi culture until more recently. Cats, though, have, so it is unclear why they are being picked on.
Dispatches from around the world
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Saudi Arabia, News, Middle East
Reader Comments (Page 4 of 4)
B.O = O.B Aug 3rd 2008 1:48PM
man they can make a ton of money by shipping them all to china . After the Olympics !
sousou Aug 3rd 2008 1:51PM
and how bout all those christians drinking like thers no tomorow? and after that they not only hurt themselfs but others too.
tekkii Aug 3rd 2008 1:50PM
They should sell them all to china after the Olympics !
Puddles Aug 3rd 2008 2:08PM
In the Islam world it is believed Allah, according to Mohammed will not enter a house with a dog. They are considered "dirty". I had read that there was a ban on selling dogs, but this no walking your dog or cat is new to me.
Apple Aug 5th 2008 1:21PM
How is it that a ban on walking pets turns out so many negitive words against another country? This is about pets and sex. Odd combo for some of us! But I guess if a REALL dog turns you on, you really have a problem.
Where are these poor animals susposed to do their P and doodles, in the house?And what about exersize for the animals. It is part of their healthy life style. I guess since they are ripping us off so bad in the oil deals they can afford a new dog each day and just have yesterdays pet for dinner!
Why don't Americans put a ban on puppy mills, and quit worrying about donkey heads and their poor pets overseas? We have responseabiliys to our OWN AMERICAN people & AMERICAN PETS!
Do you know what goes on in puppy mills? It makes Dafaur look calm!!!
liza Aug 3rd 2008 2:04PM
let this be a leason to ALL you idiots who have the nerve these days to complain to be in america...not so bad after all is it? * traders i say to you all who complain...
Misty Aug 3rd 2008 3:09PM
Why should the Muslims be allowed to have special prayer time when American children are not and are punished for praying as well as carring a Bible to school ?
marvin Aug 3rd 2008 3:18PM
TAKE AWAY THEIR OIL AND THE'RE JUST A BUNCH OF NOMADS IN THE DESERT, WITH THEIR GOATS & CAMELS...........
Uncla Al Aug 3rd 2008 7:21PM
Wow! The Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice. I wonder why Bush hasn't created one of these yet!
Double Dee Oct 5th 2008 9:27AM
I was born here, raised here, and yes I'm Muslim, but believe me when I say those people are the bastards, and not us. You can't judge a whole religion because of what the people who DO have authority, are doing. Yes, dogs ARE considered unhygienic but no where does it imply awful treatment to them in anyway. I've had millions of pets myself, right now a lucky and proud owner of two cats. When I read this article I felt like making ever dog in this city bite the asses of each and every one of the people who made this law. And I'm sure many animal lovers, Muslims, feel the same way. I know you all think we Muslims are extremists. Obsessed so much with God's name that we kill in his name, lie in his name. The people who do that, are not Muslims, guys. They're so wrapped up in bringing about the best Islamic laws, that they actually become un-Islamic. Every good thing comes with a bad, and pardon all us Muslims for any bad reputation other "Muslims" are bringing about. Please, this is not what our religion teaches us. Heck, the word "Islam" MEANS peace. It's sad to know half the Muslims have forgotten that simple deep meaning. Education is HIGHLY recommended in Islam for girls. I studied here in a co-ed school myself and am aiming to set my career in media. The reason why they still dont send some of their daughters to schools (mind you that only happens in primitive areas) is because of cultural hindrance. Women are supposed to spend their day doing housework so they dont bother sending them to school, but truth is, thats got nothing to do with religion. The Prophet's (pbuh) 1st wife was a very successful business woman herself, highly literate, believe it or not!
I'll admit, women ARE specially restricted here, but that's only here. Most of the other Islamic countries are way to go. So please dont judge any religion without knowing its true people. I had friends from all sorts of religions (heres the twist, my own brother is an atheist), and I respect all of them, and their faiths. Kings and presidents (and our so called Muslim terrorists) have already lead our global village to this violent position...why should we, the real democracy, make it worse?
DecoratedWarVet Dec 18th 2008 7:07PM
Wow. We soldiers are fighting for you to just sit and bash our allies and be blinded by what the truth of whatever the hell we are doing. We do this so that you might have a better life and try understanding the differences in this world so that you might have some common sense. The freedom to travel and learn first hand against the misconceptions you are told. That you may stand with integrity and honor. So that you might have a better understanding of the different cultures of this world and sense enough to know truth from fiction with your own eyes and experience. To protect you to have the freedom to explore more than just the country you are living in. As for this story. Who cares about if allowed pets or not. Just ship all of them to the ones who boo hoo about this ridiculous story. I'm sure if all that protest this are told to adopt a few from there, they would decline. Try understanding the reason behind a person's belief other than propaganda and you might learn something that can be helpful to your own pathetic life. A good story has pros and cons and is majority objective with almost no subjection at all. Travel and learn for yourself and you might find that what everyone is telling you is wrong. There is nothing wrong with having pets in that country. However, think about it....Do you see the pope carrying a puppy clutched in his arms? What about a Rabbi in a state of purification. I don't see a pet at my priest's home. What I do notice is he is constantly praying. Logical explanation. Ever asked yourself why as it relates to the state of purity for prayer readiness. I guess not only do the author not pray often but also pray sometimes with doggy poop spores on his/her garment. Wow! Nice way to stand before God. I learned from duty and traveling that their religion does not prohibit pets. Just they pray 5 times a day and this requires them to to a small wash called ablution (wuthu) and if they have the germs of a pet to break this state of purity, they have to wash several times from a single contact to cleanse thoroughly again before prayer. Its hard enough doing the normal way I guess. Imagine having to increase the number of washes. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs. Filthy rich people understand these cultural differences and have no problem NOT CARING about them so they remain above you common wealth folks. No matter if I don't believe what another person believes, prayer and state of cleanliness is something that harms nobody. By now, those with intelligence should see the relation of pets and purification. However, still there are people who have pets in that country spoiled and cared for beyond your cheap capacities or imagination. A word of advice...Get out and travel. Enjoy Life. Learn a lifetime of knowledge from every single trip. This puts you above the rest of society. This will make you successful and wise. Most US Citizens don't even think this way. Just the Klan, Uneducated, Zionists, Those without a real life, low lives, has beens, washed out, naive, and the ignorant. Small minority. The majority, honest soldiers, the blacks, younger population, rich, those who have it all, happy high esteemed individuals, educated, those that travel a lot, etc. have common sense to know better. If you listen too much to media and propaganda, you are being controlled by a small group of people with a plan to keep a shield over your eyes from the truth. We are being lied to on a daily basis by the pathetic group for their own personal agendas. Wake Up people and enjoy life. Its your life that matters. If you keep it happy, you have contributed a great charity to society. This is how you can give to the great USA. For all those who is angry at what I wrote, do yourself a favor, look in the mirror and tell yourself, "I am a happy person". Go outside and do something legal and fun. Go on a vacation. Turn off the news for half a day. Watch how your stress level decrease. See, life gets better and better when you stop filling it up with crap. Whatever you do, do it with respect, dignity and logic. Trash all the negativity. That is not what I'm fighting for. Most of you don't want to serve your own country. How sad. Focus on our own problems and let us do the rest. All of you dog the saudis poorly yet you forget they were fighting with US Soldiers and some on the front lines during the War (desert storm). They gave us a route and housed us for the effort. So while you sitting down with your stereotypes and hate, you are entitled to your opinions but true Americans appreciate helping hands giving to their soldiers. I appreciate the few citizens who bring this to my attention when they shake my hand and thank me. They are truly who I'm fighting for.
l Aug 29th 2010 9:27AM
SHUT "UP"
i live in riyadh and there are dogs and cats on the street and I OWN a cat !
every store (cats+dogs) so don't BLABBER if u don't KNOW :-L
hameed s Apr 25th 2011 2:55AM
hi all
i really wanted to read all comments here but i don't have time as long as i'm at work
i was just searching the web for cats in riyadh and i found this blog
just for ur information, this is not totaly true.
saudi arabia have no problem with raising cats at home or walking them at the street
the only problem is in our "religion" dogs are defiled so it's not allowed to raise them except for few reasons like trained dogs for hunting or guarding homes
about walking dogs thing it's not allowed for Moslem's for the previous reason but if u r not, you will be allowed.
although i see some of my friends here who r not Moslem's and they have no problem with walking thier dogs in the street every day