Khan 1

Omar Khan
Ms. Gardner
27 October 2014
English 10 Period 4

Libertys downfall
I.

Introduction
A. Hope is a river that has long dried up, a mirage that you can never
quite reach. Freedom is a foreign tongue, faint and forgotten. Faith, your only
escape from grief, has been restricted to one sect of one religion. With your
escape narrowed, and your burdens stacking, what would you do?
B. This is the oppression that a Saudi Arabian citizen faces on a daily
basis. Their government consists of one royal family, that controls everything in
the country including the wealth, and distribution of it. The only religion that is
permitted is the official Islam, which has entered the government, and caused
oppression for religious minorities, including sects not part of the official faith.
C. As opposed to this authoritarian government, we live in America,
which boasts of liberty, human rights, citizens representation in government, and
freedom of religion. Our government allows its citizens to choose their
representatives, free from any coercion or threat. Our elected officials lead our
country independent from any form of religious authority, and do not have
absolute power; they are constantly checked on to ensure the safety and prosperity
of the people. Together we build on our accomplishments and strive for national
prosperity.

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D. It seems ironic that our country who claims to be the champion of
human rights, and affords all liberties to its citizens, is closely allied with Saudi
Arabias authoritarian and oppressive government, and looks the other way when
the human rights they swore to protect are being defiled by the dictatorship. As
Glen Greenwood put it in his article The US, Saudi Arabia, Propaganda and
Tyranny in the Middle East, the single most repressive regime in that region is
also America's closest ally.
E. Future scholars, fellow classmates, friends: it is our duty, as the
future of America lays within the palm of our unmatured hands, to wipe this stain
II.

off the flag which we fly over schools, businesses, and homes.
Body
A. The Saudi citizens rights have been trampled by their
governments expanding economy, leaving them vulnerable, hopeless, and
neglected. The royal familys version of Islam is the only religion that is
permitted, all other faiths must be practiced in private. With Jesus gone, and Mary
mourning, religious minorities in Saudi Arabia live a very difficult life, struggling
with poverty as well as discrimination. Not only is there oppression for other
religions, women from all walks of life must face daily discrimination, because
the culture, which the rulers are safeguarding, relegates women to third class
citizens. Rothna Begum discusses the harsh restrictions that Saudi women have.
Along the lines of these restrictions, women can not drive, marry, travel, or go to
school, without the consent of a male guardian. Manal al Sharif, a very prominent
woman figure in the Saudi movement has spoken many times on this issue, and
accounts on when she dared to drive. She faced cruel jeers, and unforgiving
taunts. The strict official religion prohibits, the granting of these rights to

Khan 3
women. This disregard of responsibility towards one's own people is disgusting,
and against everything that our red, white, and blue stands for.
B. Americas support of Saudi Arabia has given a new meaning to
patriotism: less true than its former glory. The government is run by one family,
the House of Saud, that boasts thousands of members. They are unrivaled
throughout the nation and extinguish all forms of resistance before they can
influence more people. The House of Saud has become extremely wealthy over
the countrys abundance of oil, expanding their economy; however, money is
going into the pockets of the royal family. Due to the lack of representation,
citizens can not input opinions on what money should be used for, which has left
them poverty-stricken. The U.S. knowingly and willingly supports them in these
oppressive actions. There was a time where patriotism meant intense anticommunism, passionate liberty, and a strong support for human rights. America is
different now.
C. Fellow U.S. citizens, let us change this country where custom
overrules law, where the fortunate neglect those less lucky, where religion has
III.

leaked into government.

Conclusion
A. Saudi Arabia may be a hopeless cause for some, but our generation
welcomes this challenge. Some people may turn away and state This is not my
problem. But when your government fails to ensure your prosperity; when your
religion is decided for you; when you must ask for permission to drive from your
husband; when you must rely on your government to make the right decision for
you; when your government is controlled by one superiour bloodline, leaving no
hope for a better future; then you will curse those who say Its not my problem.

Khan 4
B. We must show Saudi Arabia that hope is not a river that has dried
up, it is a reservoir deep within our hearts that can never run empty; that freedom
is not a foreign tongue, it is the language of the soul that is universally
understood; that faith can never be restricted, it is the divine strings carefully
woven throughout us all. The innocent hope of the Saudis has been ravaged by
their tyrannical governments neglectings, and as Libertys children it is our duty
to free the bounds of hopelessness of the Saudis.
C. What you and I have to do is speak. Speak of the dictators
malpractices, speak of the citizens daily fears, speak of our own mistakes.
D. We must always speak of fear, and never fear to speak.

Works Cited
Begum, Rothna, and The Opinions Expressed in This Commentary Are Solely Those of Rothna
Begum. "Give Saudi Women the Right to Drive." CNN. Cable News Network, 01 Jan.
1970. Web. 03 Nov. 2014.
"A Saudi Woman Who Dared to Drive." Manal Al-Sharif:. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2014.
"The US, Saudi Arabia, Propaganda and Tyranny in the Middle East." The US, Saudi Arabia,
Propaganda and Tyranny in the Middle East. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2014.