http://www.dawn.com/2011/07/19/a-dangerous-saudi-affair.html
A dangerous Saudi affair by Ahmad Ali Khalid on July 19th, 2011 (2 hours ago) | Comments (17) Life in Saudi Arabia is good - oil rich, tax free incomes, multiple servants, big villas and security. Even labourers, remark on the improved quality of life in Saudi as compared to Pakistan. For them this is an opportunity to support their families in the relative security of the Kingdom. It seems Pakistani expat workers are satisfied with life. Even migrant labourers who I have conversed with personally say life is better in Saudi than in Pakistan, and the incomes they receive give their families back home a fighting chance. Personally, I've had good experiences and memories of living in the Kingdom for many years. But let's face it - there is a conflict between personal gain and ethical integrity when it comes to Saudi Arabia. One can witness a pervasive sort of racism, a form of Saudi supremacy that views other types of Arabs and particularly the South Asian expats (who are mostly labourers) as inferior and mere 'commodities' who can be bought and sold ruthlessly. Expats are not human beings but a commodity to be bartered and acquired. Connected to racial supremacy is an attempt to insulate the regime from criticism by using the cloak of religion. Saudi textbooks are filled with references to hate; the Islamic Studies curriculum in the country is simply barbaric. I've experienced first-hand being taught by an Islamic Studies teacher in one of the most prominent private schools in Riyadh, about the dangers of having non-Muslims as friends and about the evil conspiracies hatched by Christians, Jews and Shias. In Pakistan, Saudi petro-dollars have funded factories of hate in the form of the madrassa system. 'Petro-Islam' is a nightmare scenario - capitalism and a dangerous ideology locked in a tight embrace. It is because of the sheer amount of money behind this austere and dangerous theology that it can easily overwhelm the moderate elements in any given society. Little attention is given in Pakistan about the treatment of Pakistani labourers. If the Saudis will not speak about the suffering of these people then why should we remain silent? It is understandable that Pakistanis within Saudi cannot protest, but why do Pakistanis living outside who have witnessed first-hand the harsh treatment of their fellow citizens choose to remain silent? The Gulf countries practice a modern day equivalent of slavery, and our media should be more vocal about it, instead of weaving tales about Mossad and RAW. The treatment of Pakistani labourers as sub-humans is deeply pervasive. The underlying logic of this treatment is that a non-Saudi can never be an equal; they are always meant to serve. Pakistanis like to criticise Europe's hostility to immigrants but the anti-immigration feeling in Saudi Arabia is deeply toxic and yet it is never scrutinised. A famous Pakistani defence of Saudi Arabia is that it is an 'Islamic country' and ergo a good place to raise the kids. But there is very little 'Islamic' about the country - in my time in Saudi, I talked to converts to Islam who travelled from as far as America and the UK to see for themselves the 'Islamic' Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Privately, they reveal a story of disillusionment and profuse disappointment. Many were shocked by what they see in Saudi. They talk about a hypocrisy running deep within the society. Whilst the elite enjoy a hedonistic lifestyle of drinking and private nightclub-style parties, the religious police make life hell. I once saw a mullah in a GMC reverse on one of the main roads in Riyadh just to tell a woman to put her burqa on properly. I find we are confused about our reaction to the prospect of a 'Saudi Revolution'. When Mubarak was toppled and Ben Ali fled, the reaction amongst Pakistanis was positive, after all these dictators were merely pawns of the West. But talk about Saudi, and again there is that sense of unease and discomfort. After all, for all their faults the Saudis still do some great work. Many Pakistanis and indeed Muslims around the world have a sense of deep respect in regards to the provision of the Hajj. Indeed, the Saudis have continually done a fantastic job in improving facilities, crowd control and should be given credit for handling such a difficult event with efficiency. But on the issue of faith, some Pakistanis are naive in thinking that a Muslim country can never be unjust with another Muslim country; they refuse to accept that in the reality of real politick there is no 'Islamic Ummah'. It is this sense of moral unease we have when we talk about Saudi Arabia that has haunted Pakistani hearts and minds. On the one hand, we receive great remittances from Pakistani workers who are employed in the Kingdom, but on the other hand everyone knows that they are discriminated against and have little or no rights. But yet again the response is that those Pakistanis living and working in Saudi Arabia should be grateful that they even have a job because of the deteriorating economic conditions back home. In this cold, utilitarian world where money talks, it is impossible that the Pakistani government will fight for its citizens rights in front of the Saudi Royal family. The old adage, 'Don't bite the hand that feeds you', comes to mind. Pakistan is trapped in an abusive marriage (or maybe a delusional affair?) when it comes to Saudi. Today the Kingdom is launching a great counter-revolution trying to contain the 'Arab Spring' by buying off Arab militaries, supporting dictators, issuing fatwas against the protestors and involving the Pakistani security forces in controlling protests in Bahrain which has become a stage for its great feud with Iran. Pakistan is very much a supporter of tyranny in the greatest political awakening of the 21st century, and this will hurt only Pakistanis in the end. Ahmad Ali Khalid is a freelance writer and blogger based in the UK. He can be reached at [email protected] The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group. 17 Responses to " A dangerous Saudi affair " 1.. P.L.Subbaraman says: Today at 1:27 pm (5 minutes ago) Dear Mr.Ahmed, i read the article very meticulously and have written very truely. Nothing left everything has been completely written. I am an experienced person. This is not only to Pakistanis even if you asked Indian Muslims (especially Keralites) they definitely tell you horrible stories. Hats off to you. Reply 2.. inder says: Today at 1:22 pm (10 minutes ago) Several years ago, I was traveling from US to Delhi via Dubai. At Dubai airport, I chatted with a farm worker (an Indian Muslim) who told of extremely hard work conditions: he was made to work 7 days a week starting at 4am and often till late. The punishments for mistakes were severe. The money he made was ok but I wouldn't call it a fortune. I still remember about that person and the years of his life that were taken away from him. It was quite sad. I wish our governments will stand up to this tyranny of Arab nations. Reply 3.. Ali says: Today at 1:07 pm (25 minutes ago) A real picture has been brought by you especially when narrating the hypocrisy of monarchy. Reply 4.. Mansoor Iqbal says: Today at 1:01 pm (31 minutes ago) Its a complete article with counter arguments mentioned as well. This blog gives the exact representation of the dilemma faced by Pakistanis in Gulf Countries. I completely agree. Reply 5.. bluemountain says: Today at 1:01 pm (31 minutes ago) Should have made at least a passing mention of the inherent fawning over the white-man in there somewhere. A very good article on an important subject otherwise. Reply 6.. Sajan (Dubai) says: Today at 12:54 pm (38 minutes ago) Very nice article. I am wonder being an Indian what is the fate of Indians especially Hindu's working on that country.?? Reply 7.. Junaid Ahmed says: Today at 12:53 pm (39 minutes ago) Middle East discriminated their Muslim brothers from up till bottom. They have no rights and cant even think of raising their voices. Our religion teach us brotherhood with our fellow Muslim brothers , however, when it comes to practice , no one follows it. I like this line especially "Pakistanis like to criticise Europe's hostility to immigrants but the anti-immigration feeling in Saudi Arabia is deeply toxic and yet it is never scrutinised" Definitely, our media must highlight the other side of the picture which is full of dirt and grunge. So that we must and need to think before we criticize west or other non-Muslim countries. Reply 8.. Ameen bin Muhammad says: Today at 12:45 pm (47 minutes ago) As a Saudi, I agree with you that expats are treated mostly in a bad way .. I will not , however, agree with you on the "sub-humans" and "commodity" part, it think that's a gross exaggeration . also describing saudi islamic studies curriculums as "barbaric" is outrages and deeply offensive . The bottom line is that many Pakistanis CHOOSE to come to Saudi Arabia and work their knowing that their rights as " guest workers" are limited ! that's something to think about ! Reply 9.. bluemountain says: Today at 12:42 pm (50 minutes ago) Excellent piece!! Capitalism always gives me butterflies in the stomach, ones with steel tipped wings. Much more needs to be said and done on this subject than many here would be willing to say and do.. Reply 10.. Mohammed Omar says: Today at 12:42 pm (50 minutes ago) What right my friend? When you are in conservative kingdom and a foreigner forget about your human rights even. They applied the rule of not working after 12 pm to 4 pm in July. Weather in June was burning. Most of the construction projects are in open desert areas where you can't even find water when it comes for drinking water. Rights here are all invoked even from the authorities who are here to keep eye on it. Islamic country because Makkah and Madina are here. There are sinners in Makkah and Madina too. Just live and work till your body is packed in box to deliver back home. Reply 11.. Hassan says: Today at 12:40 pm (52 minutes ago) A very emotive, and well elobrated article about plight of our brothers in a muslim country. Their beudoiun mentality will never change in next hundred years. And Mullah's give edict on any issue but will never speak against Malik(king and family), I never understood such version of islam.. Reply 12.. Nadeem says: Today at 12:28 pm (1 hour ago) Mr Khalid, you have not cited a single incident of ill treatment with references in your article. Please provide us with facts to support your arguments. I am not in denial about the ill treatment of expats by Saudis, but please provide us with a few real accounts of such incidents, so that people in Pakistan have first hand knowledge about it and they think twice before leaving their own country to work in ME. Reply 13.. sharma says: Today at 12:20 pm (1 hour ago) Very brave article. It is very true that the present problems in Pakistan are not due to India or Israel or even USA. Saudi family is indulging the worst form of colonisation buy spreading a very dangerous ideology in Pakistan. Saudi is using Pakistanis as hired guns to do their job. By the way who gave Al Sauds the divine right to be kings? Its a shame that the center of Islam is so highly undemocratic. Pakistan cannot be stable unless it is free from Saudi influence and thats a tough call!! Reply 14.. Shahzeb says: Today at 12:04 pm (1 hour ago) Finally! An honest review of Pak-Saudi ties! Kudos to you sir! Reply 15.. Farhan says: Today at 11:48 am (1 hour ago) i totally agree with you and keep on talking the same things to my friends albiet not so eloquently. I hope we in Pakistan stop revering Saudi Govt. To me root cause of current world problems from Islam origniate from this Saudi thinking Reply 16.. Muhammad says: Today at 11:45 am (1 hour ago) Nice and thought provoking article. Agree with the ill treatment of expats in Saudi, been there, experienced that. Also agree that life is still better than Pak and so is the pay, so I'd still opt for that. Also, with regards to history, I've heard this was not always the case in Saudi Arabia. At one point in time, buying Saudi nationality was real easy and people used to think twice before spending 5 Riyals for the form because it was just dust and sand. Then the Pakistanis and other expats started taking advantage of the hospitality of the Saudis and from then onwards things changed. Now its locals first, expats, especially Indian Pakistanis, last. Reply 17.. Lee says: Today at 11:43 am (1 hour ago) Very true.. A nice article.. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Post message: [email protected] Subscribe : [email protected] Unsubscribe : [email protected] List owner : [email protected] Homepage : http://proletar.8m.com/Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
