Wodjan and the others

Clerics and scholars, in the Arab Muslim world, are held in high esteem .
Despite Islam being the only religion, among the monotheists, relying solely on God and giving no divine power whatsoever, to human beings, the people of knowledge are often followed like demi-gods .
This is the reason why, rulers and governments, are highly dependent on them : they can be a strong gathering force and determine the destiny of countries .

One of the most influential in Saudi Arabia, and controversial abroad, is dr. Mohamed al Arefe .
He is known as a pillar of Wahabi Islam, assuming such movement really exists .
He is a very well educated man and a citizen of the world .
He often travels to Europe, confronting himself with people of different cultures and religions .
He holds tv shows and those who follow him, help him in orgasing his agenda and mediatic presence on the internet .
Last year, when I had understood that I can hardly re-adjust to the life out of the M.E., I contacted him, asking for help to find a way to go back .
And dr. al Arefe was so kind in reading and answering to my emails, but in the end, I had to surrender to the fact, that it is quite difficult nowadays to find a job in Arab lands .

I was reading his comments on the issue of the Saudi female athletes, which are Islamically very correct .
Muslim ladies must be covered to protect themselves and their bodies' shapes can't be revealed .
Moreover there can't be any type of contact with non-maharam males (from within their more direct family circle) .
And all this, is difficult to achieve in an Olympic competition .

But it is a fact, that many in this world are convinced that Muslim women, specially in the M.E., are oppressed by the veil first .
Those who are not familiar with the Arab world, would hardly believe that a girl is happy to wear her hijab to please God , and that this practice is not incompatible with the modern world .
This is what Wodjan and other girls participation to the games showed to the globe : that they are happy with their religion and culture .

Now I am not asking to dr. al Arefe to change a ruling .
In Islam it is not permissible and not necessary as well .
But I would like him to find a way for those girls to show their happiness .
That is why reforms in this religion are needed, whereas I am not calling for changes .
Reform means to adapt, to practice the universality in time and space of Islam .
It is the same concept we need outside of Muslim lands : we need an interpretation which help us to live a perfect life, a fully Islamic life .
This is where Arab scholars have failed, up to now .
But I am positive that enlightened minds like Sheikh al Arefe, will soon find a path .