I once lived in Saudi Arabia; at the time, a country where women could not drive, needed an escort, and had to cover themselves from head to toe in public. During my five-year stay, I witnessed an evolution of change, met people who navigated the system with tenacity, and made some incredible discoveries. So, I have a pop quiz for my readers. Which of these do you agree with?
1. Saudis are all filthy rich.
2. Muslims hate Westerners.
3. Women in Saudi Arabia are treated like dirt.
4. The Saudi people are backward.
If you agree with any of the four statements above, please follow my blog, and allow me to help you understand a more realistic perspective of the people and region.
Let us start with a bit of history: modern Saudi Arabia was formed in 1932, oil was discovered in 1938, and Aramco, an American-controlled company, was established. This trajectory has since connected us more than most Americans realize.
The blog name, American Kabsa, came about from the delightful national dish of Saudi Arabia shared with me over the years by the gracious Albaz family. My experiences center around Jeddah, located near the Red Sea and the second-largest city in the country, with a 2021 population estimate of 4,697,000. Let’s get cracking!
American Kabsa 