Well, nothing that bold is necessary to ignite the passions of this dogged group of men.
It was an unannounced appearance of poet Fawziyah Abu Khaled and novelist Ala’a Al-Hathlol, both women, at the book fair. They were the first women in the history of the Riyadh International Book Fair to make such an appearance.
As the Arab News reports, the women were unveiled, but they were wearing abayas, an overgarment, as well as headscarves. That wasn't good enough for the commission.
"It is really humiliating to be treated this way," said Ala'a Al-Hathlol during the signing. She said that throughout her book signing, some commission members kept coming up to her shouting. She is a Muslim, she said, and no one has the right to judge people and treat them in such a manner.
She ignored the shouts from them and continued to sign her books. Later, it was poet Fawziyah’s turn to receive a dose of verbal attack.
It was even harder for Arab News to indulge in a conversation with Fawziyah. She said harassment from some commission members made her feel insecure.
During the interview, some men were standing in front of the book-signing section yelling at the poet, telling her that if she was an educated woman she wouldn’t be sitting in front of men showing her face.
Absolutely shameful.
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