Show The Herald Journal Logan Utah Sunday September 15 2002 — A7 World Saudi Arabians try to ease spinsterhood epidemic JIDDAH Saudi Arabia (AP) party costing thousands more However women say the real problem is that although it’s still the world's biggest oil producer Saudi Arabia has gotten poorer with an unemployment rate estimated at 20 percent and a population consisting mostly of people under — For Aisha Abdullah one of 25 Saudi women getting married in a mass wedding this was the day she would shed what in Saudi Arabia is still considered a serious stigma — being 40 and single “No one can call me a spinster anymore” said the bride in her sequined cream dress “Every time someone used to 18 “Women are being blamed to divert attention from the real problem which is unemployment” said Hatoon ask me why I was still unmarried I would feel shame and embarrassment" The mass wedding in Jiddah Aug 6 was organized by the Charitable Project to Assist Youths to Get Manned one of many religious organizations promoting marriage by offer- ing financial aid for wedding parties dowries and a couple's first furniture I As Saudi Arabia gingerly tries to tackle some of the problems that have built up during decades as a strictly Muslim state it is turning a lot of attention to what the press calls the “spinsterhood phe- a historianand columnist e f Get Married dated until she is married and 50 lb Boxes a Sandwich : nomenon" Since the notion of a single career woman barely exists in a country where women aren’t even allowed to drive mar- riage is still seen as the only route to true fulfillment A woman can go to college and even work for a few years but her life isn’t considered vali- AP photo Saudi brideGuests celebrate the mass wedding of twenty-fivgrooms in the Red Sea port city of Jiddah Saudi Arabia Aug 6 The wedding was arranged by the Charitable Project to Assist Youths to raising children According to a 2001 Planning Ministry study reported by the Saudi press about 15 million Saudi women are over 30 and single in a population of 17 million Saudis and about 6 million expatriates It gave no figures for the unmarried male population Attitudes to die unmarried are reflected in remarks such as those of Sheik Ibrahim a Supreme Court judge to the A1 Riyadh news-pap- athat “a woman has a shelf life" that lasts only as long as she can have children As reduced oil revenues - like many Saudi women objects to how single Al-Fa- - lower living standards across the Arab world couples are finding it harder to marry young Some Saudis blame women for wanting to get a university education and work for a few years taking them past die desired marriage age of 20 Others feel that Saudi men are influenced in their notion of die ideal woman by the stars they have been seeing on satellite TV in the decade it has been legal here Thai there are the costs die bridegroom faces: an average middle-cla- ss dowry of $8000 to $13000 and a wedding LAUNDRY Residential ache Delivery 953 W 700 Suita 112 N Tirade fnwtra a Buck Save the U hw'a Bath far SI I jCafoau’s 16S Eaat MOO Worth Highest Quality Spa i and recede: a up to 7900 off MSftPi a FREE" Removal a FREE Standard DaNvary 'wean! diasM r bp fast lemma r J buhn or tndoml rpat tJV The Adaptable Spa' wwwbvlfrogspai cam a a Industry's Best Warranty a World’s Only Leakproof Spa a Upgradable — Never Outdated OFF “LW1 Logan Utah MM utMte8ftogspatonifarooinpWf datadaonlMAfasaar11 lagan saeoaisoweas? as? ttMdin Mr mmO fy Mads in Utah (Sandy) Most Energy Efficient any aandwlch or hamburger 3! MjibwoM spa fort NEW BuOlrog S Patents ACuatomizabto A ' mim Finest Hot Tubs load lommcrciai and mi&mmi World’s ' nrrracnnr unmarried women might violate the Muslim ban on premarital sex The clergy actively encourages Saudis to many and some groups even remind women that Islam allows a man to have four wives at a time Religious leaflets left in hospital waiting rooms at wakes and on campuses tell women ' to “be content with a quarter of a man instead of plummeting into the jungles of decadence" The same message is repeated in the press arid Friday prayers 17 JatfWU’ tochooMfram use only 14 cup per women are perceived saying the word aanis or spinster “is a derogative pejorative term" The same word is used for unmarried men yet “There isn’t the same pressure on men to get married no stigma” she said The complaint of a double standard is similar to that often heard in the West But the question is more acute here because a Saudi woman's options are so limited Pressure to many comes not just from the family but from the powerful religious establishment' which fears that V Htea ItoftdltPthtswasiMMa 755-815- 3 TOetnoiogy ©ocuyais®0© i A Free Gift for You R ' $7700 value Yours with any $2100 Elizabeth Arden purchase A 1 (to 0 '’301 itWUTj 5TlKlj?' sJf i& ii MH I) (ffiflG I ( IT’S TIME FOR FALL LUXURY 9 absolute must-hav- es including of Elizabeth Arden's a luxurious makeup bag Plus a preview fabulous new fragrance ardenbeauty ' : Ceramide Defining Skin Brightener I Red Door Perfumed Body Lotion Ceramide Advanced Time Complex Capsules Intensive Treatment for Face and Throat supply Deluxe Eyeshadow Duo in SableNude l 7-d- ay ' - 00)1 i Exceptional Lipstick in Amber Exceptional Lipstick in Brown Sugar Visible Difference Refining ' Moisture Cream Complex ardenbeauty Eau de Parfum vial on card Red Door Mirror One to a customer while supplies last O 2002 Elizabeth Arden Inc ' ' ft- - yi- Shop Monday-Satuidayi- and Sunday 12-S- al MM'S tocadona In Logan al Cactw Vaday Mat In SaR Laka City at Fashion Plaot and Soudi Towns Cantar In Ogdsn at Nawgsla Mat In Provo at Prove Towns Cardra In St Osorgs at Rad CSffa Wt watooms your DSaitfs Crate Card Th Amsrtcan BpsaS" Card Onaia Chb Mamatend MaatarcanT VW and Iha DMcmar Cart I I t 4 Mat |