‘Trip Ticket’ Fiasco

During the last Eid holidays I along with my family traveled to Dubai by road from Saudi Arabia. We traveled in my car.

I, as many of the other expatriate travelers, was surprised on arriving at the border post, i.e. Al-Batha when we were asked by the Saudi customs official for a “Trip Ticket”.

I did not know what a “Trip Ticket” was. He directed me to a small cabin where two staff from United Tower Trading Group were preparing these “Trip Ticket” forms and charged us SR750 for a booklet of 20 coupons.

I tried telling him that I travel only once a year and why should I be forced to take a book containing 20 pages.

We had no choice but to pay this amount as we had already driven about 450 km. We tried to explain to them that we had never heard about this “Trip Ticket” before and that I had been traveling to Bahrain regularly.

They even told us that this ticket had been introduced at all GCC borders. We ended up paying SR750 for no rhyme or reason.

On returning from my holidays, I tried to inquire about this “Trip Ticket” with many of my Saudi friends and all of them were surprised like me to hear about this “Trip Ticket”.

Some told me that they had heard about some charges if one travels by car at the borders of Jordan and other Arab countries but not to GCC countries.

Now, the latest I have heard about “Trip Ticket” is that it has been stopped by all GCC countries.

On this information I called the agency (United Tower Trading Group) to refund the amount of the tickets that were not used.

They told me that they could not refund, as the amount has been paid to the concerned departments. I sincerely request the Saudi Customs to look in to this matter.

Clarence Gomes, Alkhobar published 18 June 2005

Take the Step

This is in response to the article “Yes, We’re Ready to Welcome Tourists”(June 12). Since I am associated with the tourism industry, I realize Saudi Arabia potential as a tourist destination.

But as someone once said, “Start, and others will follow”. May I suggest that the Kingdom should develop domestic tourism before taking steps to reach the foreign tourists. Saudi Arabia, with a population of over 21 million, should be the prime target over which the industry would lay a solid foundation.

The SCT should target commercial organizations and government departments to hold annual events as a first step and once domestic tourism takes off, the rest can surely follow.

Vivek Bali, Jeddah published 18 June 2005

Take the Step [2]

The author mentioned that Saudi Arabian interaction with visitors is not something new or strange because they have been and are receiving Haj and Umrah pilgrims from different parts of the world since a long time.

I agree. But there is one major barrier the pilgrims face is the language. Many do not speak the Arabic language although they are Muslims and do read the Qur’an. But it does not necessarily translate that they understand or speak Arabic.

It is the responsibility of the host country to appoint immigration staff that can speak at least one international language — be it English or French. For the moment most of the staff at immigration and customs speak mostly Arabic and, they even ask their questions in Arabic. If tourism is to flourish this issue has to be addressed.

Abdulaleem Khan, Jeddah published 18 June 2005

Take the Step [3]

I am glad to see such articles appearing in national newspapers of the Kingdom. However, I have my own reservations. Unless bureaucracy is cut and issuing of tourist visas streamlined, the sector will not yield the hoped-for benefits.

I have been working in Bahrain for the last five years. For the last two years I have been trying to get a tourist visa to visit Alkhobar, which is hardly 30 minutes drive from Bahrain. The Saudi Embassy has rejected my application saying there is nothing like a tourist visa for Alkhobar.

I was also told that they provided visas for Umrah and Haj and to get those visas one has to apply through an agent. This factor has to be looked into.

Shafiqur Rehman, Bahrain published 18 June 2005

Simple Answer

This is in response to the article “Scourge of Joyriding Unabated” (June 12). The answer is simple. The youth want to race, the police don’t want to be hassled with them. Provide a race track with organized racing meets and education to teach and nurture the youth’s driving talents in a safe location.

Clint Collins, United States published 18 June 2005

Advani’s Role

Everybody has a right to better himself and mend his ways. Advani cannot be denied that basic right. For the discerning observer, however, Advani’s moves are aimed at occupying the centrist space in Indian politics following the realization that the ultra-right doesn’t gel with the nation’s ethos.

The proponents of soft Hindutva and narrow nationalism with pretension to secularism will most certainly welcome this. The genuinely secular Hindus and Muslims will, however, judge him by what he says and does about Gujarati genocide and whether he at least now reaches out to the victims.

It is ironical that the muscle flexers and politico-religious hooligans empowered by Advani are now asking for his blood. But without his political acumen, this lunatic fringe will become ineffective.

It will be interesting to watch how Narendra Modi responds to Advani’s overtures to Miyan Musharraf! It is disgusting, though, that the Congress is fishing in troubled waters, purely out of political expediency.

Can it honestly say that, regardless of what Pakistan actually became, Jinnah envisioned a theocratic state? Should political parties necessarily oppose each other?

M. Hasan Jowher, Ahmedabad, India published 18 June 2005

Advani’s Role [2]

Advani’s recent statement in Pakistan is undoubtedly a small and a good beginning of a new chapter in Indo-Pakistan relations that could lead to communal harmony in the region.

What he said may be true or may be false: I do not know; Maybe based on proper facts, maybe not: I do not know. But I do know, that to speak highly of Mohammed Ali Jinnah, especially by an Indian leader espousing Hinduvata needs substance beyond that of a politician.

It is now that I feel he is showing what the teachings of Hinduism are: Respect and tolerance to other religions. It will definitely help build bridges between the two nations and warmth between two religions.

Unfortunately the love for one’s religion in many instances by default becomes hatred of another and this has proved to be destructive when a large mass of people is involved.

Thirteen years ago on that chilly December day when the Babri Masjid was razed, I was stuck in one of the Indian cities, fearfully witnessing the aftermath.

To those who were instrumental in this barbaric act I ask, what have you achieved?

Now after many years comes a man, who boldly expresses his views about that fateful day, knowing well the platform on which he is standing. Views can change, beliefs can change and that is a sign of progress. A mind that does not change its views is proverbially compared with still water that breeds crocodiles.

In India now, Advani’s statement has evoked varied responses and analysis. Let those who do not suffer “paralysis of analysis” warmly applaud Advani’s statement for what it is.

Many blind followers of communal politics have lost the art to love another religion, partly out of ignorance and partly designed by the crocodile breeders.

Let our applause slowly jolt their hearts back to the divine beauty.

Ranjit Divakaran, Dhahran published 18 June 2005

Family Visa

This is to highlight the issue of family visas for the labor category. It is important for concerned authorities to review the existing laws in order to make it possible for expatriates living in the Kingdom to apply for family visas even if they belong to the labor category. Many of the expatriates hold labor visas but are working in major companies in different categories.

These expatriates live in the Kingdom without their families for many years. The reason being that it is very difficult to bring one’s family due to the rigid laws governing this issue, even if the company/employer permits his employees to bring their family.

It could be a win-win situation for all.

The expats, of course will live with their families, but the Saudis too could benefit with the spin-offs resulting from allowing a person to bring his family here.

Iqbal Quadri Qureshi, Alkhobar published 18 June 2005