InfoAnda - Riot Erupts at Saudi Girls' School

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Pakistan troops evacuate thousands in flood disaster | 8 August 2010
Left in Lithuania eyes vote win after austerity pain | | 29 October 2012
Afghans mourn dead under outcry of NATO bombing | 5 September 2009

India's Ranbaxy's Q2 profit soars but sees year loss | 25 July 2009

Home U.S. World Entertainment Sports Business Health Science Technology Politics Offbeat Environment Travel News Articles Riot Erupts at Saudi Girls' School Email Facebook Digg Twitter Buzz Up! ShareThis February 10, 2010 9:48 a.m. EST Topics: human interest, education, offbeat, school, curiosity, crime, crime, law and justice, World The Media Line Staff Mecca, Saudi Arabia (TML) - Hundreds of angry students start screaming. Together they charge a nearby classroom. They break tables and chairs, destroy the school kitchen and attack the headmistress. Shoes, pens and books are thrown at her, she is threatened with death, and forced to run back and lock herself into her office for protection. Such a scene would scare parents, teachers, education officials and local police in any country. It takes on a whole new meaning when it takes place at a girls' school in Mecca, Islam's holiest city, on the eastern seaboard of Saudi Arabia, a country known for its strict controls on women's behavior and an extensive internal security apparatus. According to police and local Saudi media reports, the incident began Monday when Hasna Al-Ghafari, the headmistress of the 17th Intermediate Girls' School in Mecca, was told that a group of girls were sending each other obscene video recordings on their mobile phones. School officials began searching students' belongings during midterm exams, confiscating seven mobile phones with cameras, perfume and makeup. School officials claim that hundreds of students refused to be searched and began shouting, breaking tables and chairs, opening gas canisters and destroying the school's kitchen. When the headmistress arrived on the scene, she claims that 500 pupils began "viciously" attacking her with books, pens and shoes. "I was forced to run away and lock myself in my office for protection," she told the Saudi Gazette, adding that one of the students threatened to kill her. Female jail wardens were called in to break up the students after the headmistress called her husband in desperation. Mecca's Education Department is investigating the incident and has questioned some of the students, who were reported to have claimed that the headmistress had repeatedly mistreated them, banned students from using mobile phones and locked them in classrooms. Saudi teachers, education officials and women's rights activists were largely surprised by the incident. "Kids in Saudi schools are generally treated like they are in an army," Wajiha Al-Huwaidar, a women's rights activist and former teacher told The Media Line. "It's incredibly strict and most schools have a very high level of control over kids, especially girls." "Students have uniforms, have to behave a certain way, and are very closely watched," she said. "There are also religious police in front of each girls' school and you can't even bring a newspaper or magazine to school." "But at the end of the day, you cannot control everybody," Al-Huwaidar said. "There is crime and gangs in some of the schools, and all teenagers, even those from good families, are sometimes aggressive." Eman Al Nafjan, a Saudi teacher, argued increased restrictions on a school's ability to discipline students has led to problems like this. "It's not common, but I've taught in a school like that and attacks on teachers do happen," she told The Media Line. "Some students are very tough. They talk back, and they don't listen, so I know where the headmistress is coming from and when the principal's husband said his wife 'was hard on the students because they were hard on her', that's what he's referring to." "When I was a student it was common for teachers to hit students," Al Nafjan said. "Today the ministry of education is extremely strict about any teacher physically abusing a student. The students know this and abuse it so it's just gotten out of hand because nobody is allowed to touch a child. I know one principal who hit a student and even though she is well connected she was demoted into an administrative position and transferred to another city." Another Saudi teacher, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said student violence was more common in girls' schools serving immigrant communities. "There are lots of areas in Riyadh and Mecca with large communities of first or second generation African immigrants," she told The Media Line. "They stick together so it's very hard to penetrate the community or get to know them." "These are schools in very poor communities so the students don't have the typical student life and that carries into the school," she added. "Many of the students are much older than they should be for their grade, work at night, or even beg on the streets. They come to school late, don't take well to authority and are very rebellious." But Wajiha Al-Huwaidar said violence in Saudi girls' schools was a product of class, not race. "This has nothing to do with African communities," the former teacher and women's rights activist said. "If it's a neglected poor area, you find that families can't watch their kids as much, so they don't listen, shout and have behavior problems. Nobody wants to teach in these schools." "It's an issue we face in the neglected areas of all cities in Saudi," Al-Huwaidar added. "I used to teach in a school like this, in a neighborhood well known for prostitution, and some of the girls want to be like their mothers. So teachers have all sorts of problems." Mobile phones with cameras are prohibited in girls' schools in Saudi Arabia, which follows a strict Wahhabist interpretation of Islam. A 13-year-old girl made international headlines last month after she was sentenced to a two-months prison term and 90 lashes in front of her classmates after she allegedly hit the school's headmistress on the head with a cup. The incident, which took place last year in the northeastern Saudi port city of Jubail, followed the girl's camera-equipped mobile phone being confiscated by the headmistress. Copyright © 2003 - 2010 AHN - All rights reserved.Redistribution, republication. syndication, rewriting or broadcast is prohibited without the prior written consent of AHN.License AHN news for your website, business, digital signage network or publication. Most Popular Stories UN Climate Scientists Now Say Claims About Himalayan Glaciers Not True Vernon Kay Admits Sending Messages Behind Wife's Back Captain Phil Harris Of Discovery's "Deadliest Catch" Dies At 53 Teutul Family Ending "American Chopper," Settling Legal Matters Kendra Wilkinson Denies Crying Because Of The Colts' Loss India Successfully Launches Long-Range Missile System Lady Gaga Is In The Pink With New MAC Viva Glam Lipstick Google Challenges Facebook, Twitter With Gmail 'Buzz' Miley Cyrus, Britney Spears Auction Off Herve Leger, Versace To Benefit Haiti Relief Recent Posts Most Popular Comments Recent Comments Popular Threads Home | U.S. | World | Entertainment | Sports | Business | Health | Sci / Tech | Politics | Weird / Offbeat Follow AHN on Twitter AHN Social News connects you with friends and the news Client Login | Submit News | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Contact | Content Services © 2010 AHN All Rights Reserved

Other News on Wednesday, 10 February 2010
Barroso team wins approval from EU parliament
EA in the red for 12th quarter in a row
Opel unveils turnaround plan, 8,300 jobs slashed
Pilot error behind Ethiopian jet crash
China PLA officers urge economic punch against U.S. |
Google adding status updates to Gmail
India's software exports face protectionism
Sudan, Chad agree "definitive end" to proxy wars
Pitt, Jolie sue British paper over split claims
China to crack down on online gambling
Afghan avalanches kill 24, up to 40 missing: govt
British PM to face Iraq inquiry in early March
Life imitates art in Oscar-nominated Israeli film
Italy says Iranian militia attacked its embassy |
Russian tycoon says ex-spy murder claim outrageous |
Israel urges "crippling" sanctions now against Iran
Google tweaks Gmail to challenge Facebook, Twitter |
Too early for decision on Myanmar election, says Suu Kyi
Clinton asked to intervene in Haiti kidnap case
China calls for new checks amid milk scare
GOP wary of pitfalls in Obama's health care summit
Taiwan insists submarines, jets still on arms agenda
Newark airport breach suspect pleads not guilty
State Farm says it warned NHTSA on Toyota in 2007
China officers urge economic punch against U.S.
Snowstorms force US House to scrap work week
Colourful Philippine election season kicks off
ATF blames Texas church fires on serial arsonist
China gives 5 years to activist who probed quake
LAPD: Arrest made in killings of anti-gang worker
White House hastens concert to beat snow
US Army closes in on targeted southern Afghan town
Toyota announces mass hybrid vehicle recall
Death of Kerrigan's father is ruled a homicide
Cambodia wants World Court to rule on Thai border
Investigators: acceleration problem not resolved
India halts genetically modified eggplant release
Hollywood names up for Olivier theater awards
Japan Airlines rejects Delta, stays with American
S.Korean creditors offer Kumho 326 million dollar loan
Ma says China trade pact crucial to Taiwan
Malaysia's Maybank Q2 profit up 35 percent
Thai Airways plans to lease 15 new aircraft
Upbeat Nissan now expects full-year profit
Perez Hilton, Black Eyed Peas manager settle suit
Japanese plane seat maker admits falsifying safety data
Angelina Jolie visits quake-hit Haiti |
Sarkozy senior exhibits paintings in Budapest
Renault to open dealership network in India
China's NetEase reapplies for 'World of Warcraft' licence
Auto sales surged 50 percent last month in India
Louis Gossett Jr. fighting prostate cancer |
Indian police vow extra security for new Bollywood film
Singapore welcomes 9.7 million visitors in 2009
US allows Cambodia to reschedule $317 mln debt
DeGeneres says Cowell is `meaner than I thought'
India mulls anti-honour killings law
Study: Pop culture helps Indonesia fight terrorism
Bad liquor kills 8 on Indonesia's Java island
Strawberries offer lifeline for Romania's rust belt
Record Super Bowl telecast tops M*A*S*H record |
Trailblazing Uzbek photographer goes on trial for slander
Einstein's first wife's kin wants her reburied in Serbia
UN forecasts 'stable' Afghan opium crop
US-TECH Summary
Greek gov't workers strike amid reports of European lifeline
Obama warns of swift sanctions against Iran
Tune in, turn off, iPod generation finds perfect haven
Obama says world moving quickly on Iran sanctions
Google Gmail tweak challenges Facebook, Twitter
Haiti secure after quake, but escapees a concern: U.N. |
Nigerian VP assumes office as acting president |
US Marines gear up for major Afghan assault
Japan PM sees new reform minister lifting support |
Disney CEO seduced by iPad
Google Maps climbs to Olympic peaks
NY Times editor rejects call to remove Jerusalem bureau chief
How the poor can get poorer, and be OK about that |
Coroner confirms 2 Mexican children died in rains
Google Gmail tweak challenges Facebook, Twitter |
Discovery Channel: 'Deadliest Catch' captain dies
Second big snowstorm slams U.S. East Coast
Tune in, turn off, iPod generation finds perfect haven |
China jails young man for joining political party
China high court stresses 'mercy' in death penalty
Changes proposed in how psychiatrists diagnose
Malaysia: Anwar sodomy judge mulls stepping down
US denies defense crisis with Russia
Google enters fray in Thai-Cambodia border dispute
Global minimum and maximum temperatures
LA-area foothills under mudslide threat
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
City vehicles strike 2 in San Francisco accidents
Damage to homes near Conn. power plant is assessed
AP NewsAlert
Anwar defence accuses Malaysia trial judge of lies
Fresh snow misery hits eastern US
Sri Lanka set for snap election
Myanmar court sentences US man to 3 years prison
As 'Avatar' conquers, Fox also eyes local releases
Hollywood sign gets makeover for fundraising drive
China to curb maverick steelmaking as costs rise
Seoul shares end flat; banks, commods rise
Taiwan sells T$40 bln bonds at 1.95 pct yield
Ellen finds Simon a challenge on Idol |
China exports show trade recovery on track
Disney aims to shorten big-screen run for Alice |
Cruise takes on Mission: Impossible IV |
Toyota starts fixing Priuses recalled in Japan
Baidu's rosy outlook after Google China quit threat
Lil Wayne sentencing postponed, says goodbye to fans |
Philippines exports surge in December
PAKISTAN
White Stripes objects to Air Force Reserve ad |
Honda airbag problem, 437,763 vehicles recalled
Discovery Channel: 'Deadliest Catch' captain dies
Hollywood sign gets makeover for fundraising drive |
S.Korea Dec money supply growth hits 13-mth high
Disney aims to shorten big-screen run for "Alice"
Academy streamlines process for Oscar winners |
As 'Avatar' conquers, Fox also eyes local releases
Vampire author Anne Rice set to release video book
Fans delighted by DeGeneres' 'Idol' debut
Vancouver's poor
Academy streamlines process for Oscar winners
White House rings with sound of emancipation, protest
Cashing in on Mandela, 20 years after freedom
Hollywood sign gets makeover for fundraising drive
Lebanon backs Hezbollah against Israel
Yanukovych wins Ukraine vote by 3.5%: results
Pakistan has credible information Mehsud dead |
Iran says makes arrests before revolution day rally |
Penguin future looks perkier with marine zone: study
Global mobile broadband spending seen up to $72 billion
Iran says nuclear fuel swap remains an option
Autopsy Results Rule Jackson's Death Homicide
Afghanistan says ready if thousands flee assault |
Australian study supports gastric surgery for obese teens
Reuters photographer says reborn after freed by U.S.
Opera says to introduce faster browser for iPhone
Greek union marches to challenge austerity plan |
Australian govt websites face censorship protest
Lady Antebellum Debut At #1 On Billboard Albums Chart With "Need You Now"
More than 150 killed in Afghan avalanches |
Afghan avalanche toll hits 160: official
"Avatar" Officially Surpasses "Titanic" As The Highest Grossing U.S. Film Of All-Time
Clashes erupt in Sri Lanka over general's arrest |
Somali clashes kill 24, thousands flee capital |
Oscar Noms For "Avatar" Translate To Increased Business For Fandango
Israeli warplanes bomb southern Gaza
UK government forced to disclose U.S. torture allegations |
Afghan avalanches kill 165, rescue underway
"Avatar," "The Hurt Locker" Lead Oscar Nominations
Iran rewards Basij militia with political clout
Yanukovich tells Ukraine rival to quit as premier |
UNODC sees further drop in Afghan opium production
Sprint loss narrows but revenue misses expectations |
UN envoy in North Korea to spur nuke talks
Emblaze says Microsoft, Apple infringe its patents |
Global mobile broadband spending seen up to $72 billion |
Officials: Afghan avalanches kill 157 people
Opera says to introduce faster browser for iPhone |
Soldier detained over teen's death in Kashmir
Obama to meet with black leaders on the economy
Security tight as Myanmar workers strike in Yangon
Unflattering Pre-Photoshopped Pics Of Madonna Surface On Internet Blogs
Space shuttle Endeavour pulls in at space station
Cross-examination begins for serial murder suspect
Jennifer Aniston Says Gerard Butler's "A Fun Guy" To Work With
Pakistan has "credible information" Mehsud dead
AP sources: FAA eyes hefty fines for American
Clinton Campaign Office Hostage-Taker On The Lam
NZ teen kidnaps puppy to save it from euthanasia
Obama, Palin trade telling jibes over crib sheets
Illinois Wakes Up To Rare Earthquake
Gov't fitness efforts haven't stemmed kid obesity
Pakistani army helicopter crashes, 2 feared dead
Generation 2 Worldwide and "ChildESIGNS" Drop Side Crib Brands Recalled; Three Infant Deaths Reported
Pakistan: Taliban leader's reported death credible
Psychiatric Group Proposes Changes To Mental Disorder Categories
PROMISES, PROMISES: War widows' futile fight
Aussie wheat board trial starts over Iraq payments
Innovage LLC Recalls Discovery Kids Lamps Due to Fire and Burn Hazards
Lil Wayne's Prison Stint Delayed By Dental Appointment
Anonymous Businesses Put Up Billboard Ad With George W. Bush's Image
MS Less Likely In Those Whose Pregnant Mothers Drank Milk
Rio Tinto employees to stand trial in China
Report: Rio Tinto employees to stand trial
Honda airbag fault fuels Japan's auto woes
Pakistani o/n rates rise; rupee weakens; stocks down
Stan Lee gives himself a role in Super Seven |
KOREA MARKETS-Some players seek insurance as doves reign
Taiwan to end ban on LCD, chip investment in China
Steel giant ArcelorMittal posts profit
For defense team, singer's fame may pose challenge
Indonesia hotel bombing suspect goes on trial
Japan machinery orders jump 20 percent in December
Indonesian said "God is great" as hotels attacked
Conference takes on "What the world needs now"
Toshiba plans for new chip factory: report
South Korea jobless rate jumps to nine-year high
Hard times in Gaza fill ranks of Hamas police
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Stan Lee gives himself a role in "Super Seven"
Chopped-off heads and other Paris treasures on show
Riot Erupts at Saudi Girls' School
Anonymous Businesses Put Up Billboard Ad With George W. Bush's Image
Google Challenges Facebook, Twitter With Gmail 'Buzz'
American Airlines Charging For Blankets On Domestic, Some International Flights
Tiger Woods & Rosie O'Donnell Make For Least Desirable Valentines According To New Survey
O'Hare Wants To Use Cemetery For Runway Expansion
British Girls Becoming Pregnant At Age Ten
North Korean Government Releases Detained United States Missionary; Robert Parks Back Home
Angry Army Father Arrested After Allegedly Waterboarding 4-Year-Old Daughter
Ohio Strip Club Raises Funds For Haiti With Lap Dances For Charity
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01