India and Pakistan 2

I would like to mention that India has fully utilized the opportunity it got to help Afghanistan in its rebuilding efforts. Pakistan could do that as well. Indian leaders, in spite of many problems, have led the country well since independence.

Yasser Khan should know that the government of India does not appeal to crude passions of patriotism when it comes to Kashmir or border disputes with China or Pakistan. If India, as alleged by Khan, is involved in the current disturbances in Pakistan, there is no need for the world community to act because the people of India themselves will take New Delhi to task.

Noel Frank, Jeddah published 25 October 2009

Saudi-expat ties

I refer to Siraj Wahab’s interview with well-known columnist, prominent businessman and Shoura Council member Najeeb Al-Zamil (Oct. 22) I sincerely appreciate Al-Zamil’s efforts to bring the subject out in the open but I am doubtful whether Saudis really want to bridge the gap between them and the expats (at least the non-Western part of it).

Aashique, By e-mail published 25 October 2009

Saudi-expat ties 2

Someone has finally spoken about and acknowledged what has been known all along, not only about Saudi Arabia but also about UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. The problem is at its worst in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. I organize Haj and Umrah tours from UK. The bulk of people in my groups are professionals such as hospital surgeons/consultants, doctors, dentists, lawyers, accountants and businessmen.

I will give you two incidents to show how prejudiced Saudis are toward Asians. Once, as we awaited call-up by immigration officers to process our arrival, an officer commented to me that we were all miskeen (poor people) — and this was in response to my query about the reason for the long delay. I asked him to clarify and he said we were all Pakistanis and that meant we were miskeen. I was shocked and tried to reason with him that being of Asian descent does not mean we are miskeen and that I had at least two pilgrims with me who could easily pay the salary of the entire staff employed at the Haj terminal. That reasoning fell on deaf ears and I did not pursue the matter as we were in ihram.

The second incident was at Arafat where I had lost one of my pilgrims. I approached my mutawwif to assist me in my search and he replied that I was causing him trouble. I tried to reason with him and asked him to lend me a loudspeaker. His reply shocked me. I will not quote the exact words but what he said in effect was that it was only because of the holy places that he and other Saudis had to put with people like me (“you people,” to use his words). The point is “miskeen” and “you people” laid a clear emphasis on you and us. It is time the citizens of Saudi Arabia and the government looked into this great disparity and prejudice against non-Saudis in general and the people from Asia in particular. Prejudice is in the mind and exists everywhere. It matters when we practice it and it matters even more if we prevent it.

Ismail Simjee, By e-mail published 25 October 2009

Saudi-expat ties 3

I have been here in the Kingdom for the last 22 years and I have yet to see any change in the attitude of local people toward us. It will take a massive campaign by the media and nongovernmental organizations if things are to change for the better.

Khurshid Ahmed Sheikh, By e-mail published 25 October 2009

Niqab and Muslims in the West

This is a delayed response to Michael Shank’s piece on niqab and the problems of Muslims in the West and the letters that followed. I am having a very difficult time understanding where all these people are coming from with their comments concerning the niqab.

In Saudi Arabia my wife, a non-Muslim, has to wear an abaya when outside. All non-Muslim women do it without murmur. In the same way you don’t have expatriate women in Saudi Arabia demonstrating for the right to drive. If anybody at all protests, they are Saudi women. If women, both Muslim and non-Muslim, want to participate in sports in the Kingdom, they must do so behind closed doors.

The complaint the Western expats have in Saudi Arabia is how there is no enforcement of traffic laws and about a woman not being able to eat in a restaurant because there’s no family section in it.

My wife and I were in the family-eating section of the Kingdom Tower having a snack and drink. After eating we were smoking when one of the religious police came and said that my wife couldn’t smoke — not because it was a no-smoking area, but because she is a woman. So, I say to the people of the Islamic faith: Don’t complain of restrictions that are placed upon you in other countries.

Robin Robinson, By e-mail published 25 October 2009

Travel without consent

The Kuwaiti constitutional court’s decision to allow women to acquire passports and travel without seeking their husbands’ approval is welcomed by all as a breath of fresh air. Husband and wife are equal partners, living and sharing moments of happiness and sorrow together. It is beyond comprehension that they would act alone without each other’s knowledge. However, putting this in writing as consent by either party is, in my opinion, an insult to the trust on which the institution of marriage is based. The same goes for widows who are presently required to have their sons’ consent prior to acquiring passports and traveling abroad. Once trusted and given responsibility, I believe, women can behave far better than their male counterparts. Let’s congratulate Kuwait on this milestone achievement and hope this triumph will continue.

Masood Khan, Jubail published 25 October 2009

Travel without consent 2

This is a milestone for women in Kuwait, according to some. But I don’t feel comfortable about allowing a woman to travel without the consent of her husband. I don’t want my wife to travel without my approval as husband/guardian. I’m afraid that this will lead to a lot of disputes that the authorities will have to settle.

Jamal Umpat, Riyadh published 25 October 2009

Nothing in the news

This refers to Jonathan Power’s article, “There is absolutely nothing in the news” (Oct. 22).

I agree with Power regarding Europeans rising through the horrific world wars. But it is time to deliver and get into action to help other countries like Pakistan out of wars. I don’t believe Tony Blair represents the whole of Europe. But the fact remains that all of Europe stands behind the US. Like the US, they are more eager to help dictators and filthy rulers than struggling democracies. Shame on them again. Pakistan will rise again as a secular and democratic, maybe a bit chaotic, peoples’ republic as it was intended to be. Afghanistan will also see days of freedom and glory without US help. Let’s see how the Europeans and Americans react.

Nadeem Khan, By e-mail published 25 October 2009

India and Pakistan

This refers to the letter from Yasser Khan, “Pakistan and Indian factor” (Oct. 22). Since the world hasn’t asked India to cease and desist from any of the activities that Khan mentions, it is time for Pakistanis to do some introspection and find the real reasons why their country is on a downward spiral.

Pakistan and India were born at the same time and their people share the same genes. While one has achieved fame for its skilled scientists, teachers and doctors, the other is seen by some in the West as a training ground for terrorism.

Dr. J.V.S.Gopinath, Alkhobar published 25 October 2009