Contradictions

San Cassimally
Sep 4, 2018 · 2 min read

Prince Salman of Saudi Arabia is the de facto leader of his country.

Is he a modern crown prince?

His arrival on the international scene has been enthusiastically received in the West. Cynics claim that it’s all to do with the petro dollars of the Kingdom. Is he really modern and forward-looking?

He has allowed women to drive for the first time.

Saudi woman showing driving licence

But he has imprisoned the women who long campaigned for this.

He claims to be open to new ideas, but it is rumoured that Esra al-Ghamgham, who has campaigned for Shia rights has been executed.

Esra al-Ghamgam

In a country which has no industrial base, importing everything from vegetables to military airplanes, they now have Sophia, the world’s most advanced robot. Salman has pushed his generosity to untold limits, by awarding Sophia Saudi Arab citizenship. The first robot to have any citizenship. It is not clear at the moment whether they will expect her to

Sophia minus niqab

wear a niqab.

The Story Hall

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San Cassimally

Written by

Prizewinning playwright. Mathematician. Teacher. Professional Siesta addict.

The Story Hall

A gathering place for stories to be told, read and appreciated.

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