In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

By: Katie Couric
Topics: On The Road

(CBS)

CBS Evening News anchor and managing editor Katie Couric is accompanying Secretary of Defense Robert Gates on a five-day overseas trip to several undisclosed countries. She is currently in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Look for her reports next week on the Evening News and on 60 Minutes.

We had a pretty turbulent flight to Riyadh, perhaps because it's 107 degrees!

Before we left Cairo, Secretary Gates met with Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak. He later told me they covered a lot of ground. Secretary Gates has known Mubarak for 20 years, so he said in a way it's nice not having to start at square one.

Part of the reason the Sec Def is visiting Cairo and Riyadh is to alleviate any concerns that the Obama administration's overture to Iran will affect the relationship with traditional U.S. allies. He also wants Saudi Arabia, which has a strong relationship with Pakistan, to exert its influence in that country where things have been pretty dicey lately.

So far the trip has been great. It's fun to be back working with people from the Pentagon, even though the personnel there has turned over many times since I covered the beat in 1989. The journalists on the trip are friendly and interesting to talk to, including Al, who's worked for VOA for 33 years. I misidentified him yesterday as working for CBS Radio. Blame it on the jet lag!

I interviewed most of them on my Flip camera. I'm sure they all think I'm bizarre! The interviews will appear later on CBSNews.com and my YouTube channel, as soon as I can upload them and get them back to our home office on West 57th Street.

Heading to the Souk, where I'm told I will have to wear my abaya if I don't want to be harassed. I'm thinking about not wearing it and catching the encounter on my Flip, but maybe that's not such a great idea!

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by USLadyInRiyadh April 21, 2010 6:21 AM EDT: Katie - This article is old by now, but it still comes up on all the search engines for information about Riyadh. PLEASE research and learn the actual facts about things like women's dress codes in Saudi Arabia with people who actually live here and are affected directly by those laws, and other vital details, before you publicize ridiculous comments like those about going to the souk without an abaya. Women have been jailed, flogged, punished severely by any other country's standards - in addition to the "harrassment" you refer to in your article - because it is against the law to be seen in public without an abaya and head scarf, and the Mattawah (Religiou police) CAN and WILL follow you, harrass you, call the Ministry of Interior police on you, and you can be jailed and punished for ignoring or thumbing your nose at Saudi Laws! Anyone reading your article and thinking it's ok to do what you suggest could be in deep trouble, and you should check your facts with the real authorities - not the "friendly" men the Saudis choose to woo you and soften the atrocious truth about this country and life for women here when you visit here as a reporter. Do some REAL research and you could have a blockbuster story on your hands - but don't do it here or you could be killed for just suggesting letting the world know.; Reply to this comment


by jaw23891 May 7, 2009 6:45 PM EDT: I'd have to agree with Maj. DeAvila. Anyone who has followed Katie's career knows that she is one of the most compassionate and empathetic journalists of our time. I think those who view her suggestion- which I feel were just thinking out loud statements- as disrespectful or an attempt to created and sensationalize a story are reading too much into it. It's unfortunate that, because of the times we live in, with the advent of Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, the 24-hour news cycle, a vast and constantly expanding world of internet content, every little thing we say, do or even think, gets scrutinized. Everyone feels entitled to adding their two-cents, and while I respect a person's right to free speech, I can't help but long for the days when we weren't such an overly analytical society.

Katie's judgement has served her well throughout her 30 year career, and it is her career, so whatever she decides will be her choice. As much as you'd like your culture and country to be respected, I'm sure Katie would appreciate the same regarding her decision.

Anyway, travel safe, Katie.

Regards,
Jeremy; Reply to this comment


by MightyCaseyMedia May 6, 2009 9:27 PM EDT: When I got arrested in passport control in Riyadh on Jan. 9, 1991 - working for ABC News, assigned to the pool crew for what was still Operation Desert Shield - I knew I wasn't in Kansas anymore. Female, traveling alone? Only one thing you CAN be in those circs in Saudi: prostitute.

I wore an abaya when I walked from the Hyatt to the Souk three times a week with the other crazy redheaded grrl on the crew - we let our red "freak flags" fly, and got some feedback from a few people, but the abaya kept most of the chatter down.

You have to be careful when traveling with SecDef and a large entourage, particularly as a woman in Saudi. With your Q rating, some nimrod might decide to make an example of a high-profile uppity grrl. An abaya, with your head held high (and uncovered) might be just the right note to strike.

I predict you'll be darned glad to be wheels-up outta Saudi.; Reply to this comment

by saudiwoman-weblog May 6, 2009 6:36 PM EDT

Nothing will happen if you go without a abaya. You'll only probably get stares and at the worst a comment because you're so obviously a foreigner. The same reaction a Saudi woman walking in her full black cover in most cities of the USA would get.

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by USLadyInRiyadh April 21, 2010 6:29 AM EDT: This comment is absolutely untrue and it is unfair to lead any woman who might try it - especially in major cities and business areas - that it is something she should try. If you are a Saudi woman, as your psuedonym suggests, than you know this and live covered from head to foot in public, have to walk or have a male drive you wherever you want to go, are only allowed in certain restaurants/shops/public buildings at certain times of the day (and many of those require you to be escorted by a related or hired male), and you know it. Are you hoping some foreign woman will try what you suggest and draw attention to the subject by being arrested so you can benefit from it later?


by Chiaracanadian May 6, 2009 1:37 PM EDT: Ms Couric

I must say I concur with Ms Carol Fleming Al-Ajroush, whom I "know" from her excellent blog site Americanbedu.com.

I am a great admirer of yours (particularly your efforts on behalf of GI Cancer prevention, and your interviews with Sarah Palin), but think your remark about the abaya was unintentionally misplaced.

As someone who has benefited from scholarships and research opportunities to travel to very conservative Muslim and non-Muslim places, and as one who is married to a Moroccan and has spent a great deal of time there, I have always taken the approach of dressing respectfully for the place I am in. This means that I covered while in Iran, and I cover in certain circumstances in Morocco (as guided by the recommendations of my in-laws). In the case of Iran, there was also the threat of reprisal, but the primary issue for me was respect, since I was also in a protected position, having been invited directly by the government of Iran. Were I to have the opportunity to go to Saudi Arabia, I would cover out of respect for the people of a country where I was a guest, and out of respect for the job the Muttawa are required to do.

Unfortunately, it is true that Western expats in Saudi Arabia are privileged, but would be at much greater risk than yourself if they were to choose to test the patience of the Muttawa (or even their job requirements). Some might be tempted to do so, following your example, or following a misguided sense of feminism, while overestimating the American Embassy's powers of suasion.

I hope you do not provoke false events, as I would not want to have to relegate you to the same low journalistic esteem in which I hold Danielle Crittenden and her report (in the Huffington Post) on her non-adventure in Islamic covering in the US.

Chiara Alma
Academic Psychiatrist; Reply to this comment


by casey_abbott May 6, 2009 9:27 AM EDT: Sit back and we'll do what we do best.; Reply to this comment


by jsfitzgerrel May 6, 2009 3:57 AM EDT: we do not need any more journalist held for bait in the middle east.; Reply to this comment


by maryannusausa May 6, 2009 3:33 AM EDT: Katie,

I must agree with Carol Flemming Al-Ajroush above on this one. I have lived in Saudi Arabia for 30 years.

By not covering, you will probably not come to any harm during your visit as you are well protected.
However, other Americans following your lead may indeed get into very serious trouble here...especially in the more conservative parts of town.

Women that don't cover are viewed as 'loose' women in general here by men whether we like it or not... They are not viewed as being women's advocates as one might think. Most Saudis might respect you, but there are many expat men that live here from even more conservative countries that haven't been home (much less with a woman), for 2 years or more.

Would you walk in a bikini (or revealing clothes) in front of our own American servicemen who just landed on shore after being away for 2 years? Don't you think that you would get the wrong kind of attention from them? Don't you think that they, too, would see you as a loose woman....maybe asking for the wrong kind of attention?

As Americans, in a post 911 world in Saudi Arabia, living in a muslim community, it is imperative for us, as Ameircans, to try to blend in so that we have the freedom to go out and still remain safe.

Reporters need to understand that many of these rules over here actually protect us.

I think that reporters should report the news and not be involved in trying to make any changes while they're here. If you don't understand why things haven't changed as you would expect them to, please discuss it with the American community that live here that are married to Saudis.

I have been a fan of yours for many years and I'm sure you meant no disrespect when you made your comment, but unfortunately, everything you say WILL be reported on also.

I hope you enjoy your trip here in the Kingdom.

Regards; Reply to this comment


by Qanta May 5, 2009 7:46 PM EDT: Dear All,
I am excited to see Ms Couric is in Riyadh. The US insight into Saudi Arabia remains surprisingly limited given the increasing access, information and vocal commentators who are authentically involved in Kingdom life whether from inside the Kingdom or without like my colleague Carol Fleming Al Jaroush. What was I am sure expressed in a brief and flippant comment is indeed dissappointing. The abbayah evokes intense feelings in both Muslim women like myself and women who are not Muslim. I wrote about my own difficulties adjusting to the mandated abbaya in my recently published book, In the Land of Invisible Women ( SourceBooks Chicago, 2008) but would only discover its role as a tool of liberation for women in Saudi Arabia who choose to participate in the public space. For women who are raised and themselves value segregation of the sexes but still puruse active roles whether as mothers shopping for children or vascular surgeons mending aneurysms or reforming activisit women campaigning for awareness of social problems ( Dr Maha Al Muneef and her work involving Domestic Violence and child abuse in the Kingdom or Ms Wajeha Al Huwaider who raises awareness of hardships affecting women) adopting the veil which is integral to Saudi custom and engaging in veiling which is very much a part of Islam are not in the least limited in their activities because of this dress. I worked on critically ill patients in the intensive care unit at the National Guard Hospital in Riyadh with female saudi colleague who continued to be veiled while we were gowned up like surgeons performing sterile procedures. Saudi women, womanhood in Saudi Arabia and Muslim women in general are so much more than the abbaya or Ms Couric's reflex comment imply. I recommend wearing the abbaya to the Souk though Ms Couric will find that the Mutaween are thin on the ground and no longer as vocal as they once were. And finally much is to be said for complying with local customs in order to engender one's own insight and empathy for cultures which are inherently strange to the visiting foreigner.

Sincerely

Qanta Ahmed MD FCCP FAASM
Author, "In the Land of Invisible Women"; Reply to this comment


by American_Bedu May 5, 2009 4:47 PM EDT: Hi Dean,

We will choose to agree to disagree on Katie's comment. The way her comment is stated implied disrespect to me. She is part of a high level delegation selected to cover the news. And at the same time because of who she is and what she does, her actions will be watched very closely by not only Saudis and Americans but many citizens of today's global world. Therefore I think in her position, suggesting to "buck the system" gives an unfavorable view of American's and American journalists.

Questioning what is different and what may appear to be 'demeaning' to some is fine and encouraged. But to give an impression of 'flaunting' like an "in your face" kind of rebellion does not win many friends or influence people. I think she'd be better served to interview women - Saudis and expat women alike on their views and perspectives, as well as include some Saudi men (even muttawa) in such interview. I think that would go over much better than "going without and see what happens and report it on the nightly news...."

Best Regards,
Carol; Reply to this comment