Flirting – Punishable by Law

In Saudi Arabia, the national religion is Islam and is practiced in a conservative way that is called “Wahhabism.”  As it turns out, this conservative type of Islam limits the interactions that common male and female citizens can have outside of a marriage.  Given the recent celebration of love, Valentines Day, there has been growing controversy in the country about what is acceptable behavior and what is seen as a criminal offense in the eyes of the “mutaween” who punish such crimes.  Now, the fact that only Islamic holidays are allowed to be celebrated and that any other celebration is in violation of the common law is a perfect example of Islamic Fundamentalism which O’Neil claims that, “in Islamic fundamentalism, we find arguments that states and nations where Muslims live should return to Koran as the source for national laws, constitutions, and government policies” (69).  There is one instance where abiding by these religious laws has gotten men into trouble for seemingly petty crimes, something that would not even be punishable in less theocratic states like the US.  In another article, 57 men are under investigation for allegations of illegal flirting at a mall in the holy city of Mecca.  This is a crime because men are not supposed to have interactions with women due to the segregation of sexes under the religious laws and conservative Wahhabism.  These religion based laws would be highly controversial in a more democratic and free country but those living within the boundaries of this nation are constrained to practice one religion and one religion only, Islam.