DAMMAM, 23 October 2003 — The Shoura Council has initiated debate on the question of citizenship for foreigners. Although citizenship has never been closed to foreigners, it has become very difficult to obtain. In the 1960s, the Kingdom was very liberal in granting citizenship to residents but in later years, this changed as thousands sought Saudi nationality.
In Saudi Arabia expatriates have always had a peculiar status. Those working here for long periods have often become totally detached from their native countries. Many have been saying for years that when they visit their home country they are seen as foreigners by their own people.
“And inside Saudi Arabia, we are also foreigners. In effect we do not belong anywhere,” said Muhammad Matloob, a Pakistani who has been in the Kingdom for the past 35 years. His son, born in the Kingdom, is now working in Jeddah. “We may be rootless but our children are in an even worse condition. We at least know our roots and are familiar with them but our children are not, and it is a real tragedy for them.”
Zamir Ahmad, a Pakistani formerly working for Saudi Aramco, has a very mixed family. He has been in Saudi Arabia for the past 56 years but still has a Pakistani passport and Pakistani nationality. His wife is Indian but their son is a Saudi national. His daughter who married an American has become a US citizen. Zamir now lives in Saudi Arabia with his son as his sponsor.
Abdul Majeed Quraishi, an Indian national, has been living in Saudi Arabia for over 50 years. He has served in several ministries. His son-in-law is a Saudi national and his daughters too have become Saudi citizens. Quraishi’s application for Saudi citizenship is pending with the relevant authorities.
Akmal Saleem, a Pakistani, who has been in the Kingdom for the past 22 years, said: “Saudi Arabia is home to my children. When we go on vacation to Pakistan, they feel out of place there and keep saying, ‘Let’s go back home.’”
The report that the Shoura Council has initiated a debate concerning citizenship has given new hope to expatriates who have been living here for many years. There are many ideas about the granting of citizenship and every person has his own idea. The most popular idea is that Saudi Arabia will adopt a two-step system. Under this system, the country should first grant residential status to certain expatriates who will have the right to own property and work as they like without sponsors. The second step would be granting the expatriates complete citizenship after a residence of a required number of years and after fulfilling certain conditions.
