Posts
Wednesday, 22 August 2007
By Sabria S Jawhar
I had a frightening vision the other day.
About 1.5 million Indians, 85 percent of whom are blue-collar workers will be deported from Saudi Arabia in a reaction to the unexpected increase in rice prices in the Saudi market. "We received hundreds of thousands of deportation requests from Saudis who would like to get rid of their Indian domestic workers," an official at the passport office announced.
The same officials said that thousands of Saudi families have decided to replace their Indian help with Eastern European help, since every time they looked at their Indian workers, they couldn't help but be reminded of who was behind the rice price crisis.
In response, India has recalled its ambassador, suspending high-level Indian-Saudi meetings on energy-related issues. As a Muslim country and a close ally of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan declared that it would suspend negotiations with India and boycott its products. Inspectors expect the two countries to go as far as using nuclear weapons against each other if the UN does not intervene and find a quick solution to the rice crisis.
Al-Qaeda in Eastern Asia posted a letter on their website in which they declared Jihad (holy war) against India, accusing it of waging an anti-Islamic war by depriving the country of the Two Holy Mosques of rice.
The United States, as well as some other friendly European countries, expressed their concern about the deterioration in the relation between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, on one hand, and India, on the other. Meanwhile, the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told reporters that Israel would support India in whatever decision it takes against the two Muslim countries, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi Minister of Commerce addressed the public via the government- owned TV channel, one asking Saudis to calm down as the crises has been brought before the Security Council in an attempt to find a quick resolution to the rice shortage in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, the minister said we should look for alternatives.
This was the scenario that came to mind while I was watching the televised interview with the Minister of Commerce, Hashim Yamani. The interview was devoted to the unprecedented increase in prices, in particular, the price of rice. He attributed the rise in price to several factors, none of which has anything to do with the failure of his ministry to have any effect on it by carrying out studies and offering alternatives. For instance, he attributed the increase in rice prices to price rises in India, the Kingdom's main rice supplier.
The minister sounded deadly serious as he attempted to convince the audience with his point of view and to place the blame on international factors such as the Indian economy and oil prices. He used very strong and flashy economic terms, such as supply and demand, that made his answers sound very realistic.
However, he failed to offer even one practical solution to the present situation.
The minister raised the ire of his audience when he started defending his own ministry, adding that the price increase is out of the ministry's hands. He added salt to the audience's wounds when he said that there are 200 inspectors around the Kingdom whose responsibility it is to observe prices. To be honest, I was also among those who were disappointed with that number as it clearly seemed to be intended to justify the price hikes, especially at places that are off-the-beaten track. It also raises questions concerning the honesty of those inspectors and their ability to grasp the commercial boom that the country is experiencing. After all, new shopping centers or mega malls are popping up on every corner of the Kingdom's big cities. In Jeddah, the shopping havens grow faster than the speed that the ministry takes to process one single paper.
Following the interview, though, I felt very sad for Saudi society. It has not completely recovered from the shock of the stock market crash that has left more than three million Saudis, mainly from the middle class, in debt and in a deep state of depression.
But, you know, as Saudis, lets look at the bright side. At least, our Minister of Commerce did not suggest us barley as an alternative. According to cattle dealers, it has also increased by 50 percent.
Showing posts with label opinion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label opinion. Show all posts
Friday, September 14, 2007
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Tuesday, 14 August 2007
By Sabria S Jawhar
Earlier this week I received an e-mail from a regular reader whose opinion I highly respect. In that e-mail he commented on a column that I wrote two weeks ago and was entitled "When I cried this summer." Among the things that he mentioned in his e-mail was the following: "I noticed that recently you are tending to be sort of pessimistic, especially when it comes to the development or changes taking place in Saudi society. There are always things that disappoint us in our society but on the other hand there are others that we should highlight and be proud of." To tell the truth, I can't help but add my voice to that of my friend. I agree with him concerning the positive things that take place in the Kingdom. But, to me, positive and good things are supposed to be common and I am sure that hundreds of people will be more than happy to write about them. Only a few are willing to talk about the negative things. Criticism, however, should not be an ultimate goal in and of itself.
It should be a constructive goal that aims to put thing in place and to help those who are in charge to see the shortcomings of their establishments and to find the best solutions for any deficiencies.
Dear friend, I have never been pessimistic. Actually, I am writing about what I perceive as wrong because I am very optimistic that change will take place soon and because I have great expectations. But I also believe that we have to work hard toward finding out what's wrong and change it for the better. The world will not wait for us. The world is keeping an eye on our achievements judging us by the speed of the oil coming out from beneath the ground.
Yet, for the sake of my friend I will dedicate this column to things that took place this week and have given me a glimmer of hope that the wind of good intention is so strong that it is moving the wheel of change faster.
I was delighted this week to read that Prince Mohammad bin Saud, Emir of Baha region, has given orders to discharge 20 high officials from Baha region who were proved to be violating the rules and not carrying out their responsibilities. The prince was not hesitant to talk to the media about the reasons behind discharging those officials or even about their designations. He seemed to be sending a message to all of those who think of bartering away the nation's interest or selling it for cheap.
By doing what he did, the relatively newly-appointed prince has proved to the leadership that choosing him was a wise decision. It also reflects the leadership's intention to combat government corruption, which has reached alarming levels and was the main reason behind many vital projects not being carried out.
I felt also so comfortable when I read the news about the enforcement of the cyber law that governs the use of the Internet and offers protection to the legitimate use of computers and the Internet. The law is not a new one. In fact, it has been implemented in several countries where cyber crimes are common.
However, what gives it a special value in Saudi society is the importance that it gives to the people's privacy and their reputations. For instance, it imposes a prison sentence and a fine not to exceed half a million Saudi riyals to those who encroach onto other's private lives through misuse of cameras on mobile telephones or similar devices.
Those who defame others or harm them through the use of information technology will face the same punishment.
Some readers, especially newcomers to the Kingdom, might wonder why am I giving such weight to these particular points of the 16-article law. To those I would like to say that Saudi society is a very sensitive one. This sensitivity can be seen most when women's issues are involved. I don't think that there is any Saudi who has not heard or, at least, read about a story in which a mobile phone or an Internet site played a role in destroying a family by leading the couple to divorce.
Some people smuggle cameras into women's gatherings, take photos or video clips, then post them on specially designed websites in order to defame them and ruin their subjects' lives.
Some pictures that were also taken of girls, who were lured by young men, were also posted on those web sites, completely destroying the girls' lives. The damage wrought by such misuse of technology has pushed people in some cases to commit suicide. Some readers might still remember the story of the young Saudi man who was raped by a group of his friends who videotaped the assault in order to humiliate and blackmail him.
The video clip was circulated and the news of his humiliation spread, resulting in so much pressure on the young man that he finally took his own life.
I think that by now you will all agree with me that simple procedures should be taken to protect society, at least, until it reaches a level of awareness where such things defame the doer more than the victim.
By Sabria S Jawhar
Earlier this week I received an e-mail from a regular reader whose opinion I highly respect. In that e-mail he commented on a column that I wrote two weeks ago and was entitled "When I cried this summer." Among the things that he mentioned in his e-mail was the following: "I noticed that recently you are tending to be sort of pessimistic, especially when it comes to the development or changes taking place in Saudi society. There are always things that disappoint us in our society but on the other hand there are others that we should highlight and be proud of." To tell the truth, I can't help but add my voice to that of my friend. I agree with him concerning the positive things that take place in the Kingdom. But, to me, positive and good things are supposed to be common and I am sure that hundreds of people will be more than happy to write about them. Only a few are willing to talk about the negative things. Criticism, however, should not be an ultimate goal in and of itself.
It should be a constructive goal that aims to put thing in place and to help those who are in charge to see the shortcomings of their establishments and to find the best solutions for any deficiencies.
Dear friend, I have never been pessimistic. Actually, I am writing about what I perceive as wrong because I am very optimistic that change will take place soon and because I have great expectations. But I also believe that we have to work hard toward finding out what's wrong and change it for the better. The world will not wait for us. The world is keeping an eye on our achievements judging us by the speed of the oil coming out from beneath the ground.
Yet, for the sake of my friend I will dedicate this column to things that took place this week and have given me a glimmer of hope that the wind of good intention is so strong that it is moving the wheel of change faster.
I was delighted this week to read that Prince Mohammad bin Saud, Emir of Baha region, has given orders to discharge 20 high officials from Baha region who were proved to be violating the rules and not carrying out their responsibilities. The prince was not hesitant to talk to the media about the reasons behind discharging those officials or even about their designations. He seemed to be sending a message to all of those who think of bartering away the nation's interest or selling it for cheap.
By doing what he did, the relatively newly-appointed prince has proved to the leadership that choosing him was a wise decision. It also reflects the leadership's intention to combat government corruption, which has reached alarming levels and was the main reason behind many vital projects not being carried out.
I felt also so comfortable when I read the news about the enforcement of the cyber law that governs the use of the Internet and offers protection to the legitimate use of computers and the Internet. The law is not a new one. In fact, it has been implemented in several countries where cyber crimes are common.
However, what gives it a special value in Saudi society is the importance that it gives to the people's privacy and their reputations. For instance, it imposes a prison sentence and a fine not to exceed half a million Saudi riyals to those who encroach onto other's private lives through misuse of cameras on mobile telephones or similar devices.
Those who defame others or harm them through the use of information technology will face the same punishment.
Some readers, especially newcomers to the Kingdom, might wonder why am I giving such weight to these particular points of the 16-article law. To those I would like to say that Saudi society is a very sensitive one. This sensitivity can be seen most when women's issues are involved. I don't think that there is any Saudi who has not heard or, at least, read about a story in which a mobile phone or an Internet site played a role in destroying a family by leading the couple to divorce.
Some people smuggle cameras into women's gatherings, take photos or video clips, then post them on specially designed websites in order to defame them and ruin their subjects' lives.
Some pictures that were also taken of girls, who were lured by young men, were also posted on those web sites, completely destroying the girls' lives. The damage wrought by such misuse of technology has pushed people in some cases to commit suicide. Some readers might still remember the story of the young Saudi man who was raped by a group of his friends who videotaped the assault in order to humiliate and blackmail him.
The video clip was circulated and the news of his humiliation spread, resulting in so much pressure on the young man that he finally took his own life.
I think that by now you will all agree with me that simple procedures should be taken to protect society, at least, until it reaches a level of awareness where such things defame the doer more than the victim.
A Workshop in UK
Tuesday, 07 August 2007
By Sabria Jawhar
Earlier this year, I wrote a column entitled "When a turkey's life is more valuable than a human." In that column I mentioned a story about an American friend who, knowing only a little about my culture, sent me an e-greeting card on the occasion of Thanksgiving. In that e-mail he told me jokingly that President George W. Bush had forgiven his bird this year and granted it a reprieve.
It did not take me long, however, to find out that the big bird's life was more precious to President Bush than that of a Muslim or an Arab in the Middle East. The same talk applied to some Arab governments that didn't show any sign of caring about the feelings of their own people nor their interests.
As I woke up in the early morning of Eid Al-Fitr last year, I was shocked, like million of Muslims, by the announcement of Saddam Hussein's execution.
"He was hanged after he was convicted of crimes against humanity for the killing of 148 Shia villagers in the town of Dujail," the crawl across the bottom of my television screen said.
Regardless of my stand on the whole issue, my concern at that time was basically about the timing of the execution coinciding with Islam's holiest day. The picture of the forgiven big bird came to my mind along with the image of Saddam's corpse.
Yesterday, I was also following the news on television when another crawl on the screen said British Prime Minister Gordon Brown had broken off his vacation on Saturday and returned to London to closely follow the case of an outbreak of foot and mouth disease. A drug company is at the center of the investigation.
There were reports hundreds of cattle have been slaughtered in a cull of animals at the infected farm and those at high risk nearby. The British Prime Minister chaired several emergency meetings on the matter.
He also appeared on television talking to the public about what has been and what will be done.
Regardless of the motives behind the prime minister's action and whether it has something to do with the voters' judgment of him, he showed care if not for the 7 million animals that were slaughtered, than to the estimated €12 billion that the crisis would cost the British economy, not to mention its effect on tourism.
On the other hand, while the whole world is moving and calling for real solutions for the Middle East, in general, and for Iraq, in particular, the Iraqi parliament is taking a month off.
The break comes at a time when very serious decisions concerning the future of the whole nation such as those related to Iraqi oil should be taken.
It also came at a time when the American Congress was supposed to decide on the defense bill that is partially related to spending on the Iraqi war.
I am really confused whether this decision to go on vacation is a sign of indifference regarding the Iraqi people or a way of saying "no" to President Bush, who is working hard to get the "oil law" through the Iraqi parliament.
Is British livestock more important to the UK prime minister than the Iraqi people to their government? Is this an analogy to making an animal life more important than that of a human being? Is taking a summer vacation a must for all politicians despite the vital decisions that are to be taken?
Another question also puzzles me: where are the Iraqi politicians spending their vacations? Are they going to spend them in Iraq enjoying the beauty of blood and destruction on every single street in Baghdad? I have been told that nothing is more attractive than the combination of red blood and green grass.
Are they going to spend their money in promoting local tourism or are they going to enjoy the breeze and nice weather in one of Europe's great capitals? If "yes," what is their destination?
Let's not jump to conclusions. Maybe they are attending a workshop presented by the British Environment Secretary Hilary Benn, who recently announced that "it was vital to contain the outbreak, which infected a local herd of cattle and could cost the British livestock industry up to $30 million a week in lost exports."
If this is the case then I am quite sure that after failing to bring about prosperity, peace or even security to their own people, Iraqi lawmakers could learn from the British how to care about the hundreds of people who die daily on Baghdad's streets.
By Sabria Jawhar
Earlier this year, I wrote a column entitled "When a turkey's life is more valuable than a human." In that column I mentioned a story about an American friend who, knowing only a little about my culture, sent me an e-greeting card on the occasion of Thanksgiving. In that e-mail he told me jokingly that President George W. Bush had forgiven his bird this year and granted it a reprieve.
It did not take me long, however, to find out that the big bird's life was more precious to President Bush than that of a Muslim or an Arab in the Middle East. The same talk applied to some Arab governments that didn't show any sign of caring about the feelings of their own people nor their interests.
As I woke up in the early morning of Eid Al-Fitr last year, I was shocked, like million of Muslims, by the announcement of Saddam Hussein's execution.
"He was hanged after he was convicted of crimes against humanity for the killing of 148 Shia villagers in the town of Dujail," the crawl across the bottom of my television screen said.
Regardless of my stand on the whole issue, my concern at that time was basically about the timing of the execution coinciding with Islam's holiest day. The picture of the forgiven big bird came to my mind along with the image of Saddam's corpse.
Yesterday, I was also following the news on television when another crawl on the screen said British Prime Minister Gordon Brown had broken off his vacation on Saturday and returned to London to closely follow the case of an outbreak of foot and mouth disease. A drug company is at the center of the investigation.
There were reports hundreds of cattle have been slaughtered in a cull of animals at the infected farm and those at high risk nearby. The British Prime Minister chaired several emergency meetings on the matter.
He also appeared on television talking to the public about what has been and what will be done.
Regardless of the motives behind the prime minister's action and whether it has something to do with the voters' judgment of him, he showed care if not for the 7 million animals that were slaughtered, than to the estimated €12 billion that the crisis would cost the British economy, not to mention its effect on tourism.
On the other hand, while the whole world is moving and calling for real solutions for the Middle East, in general, and for Iraq, in particular, the Iraqi parliament is taking a month off.
The break comes at a time when very serious decisions concerning the future of the whole nation such as those related to Iraqi oil should be taken.
It also came at a time when the American Congress was supposed to decide on the defense bill that is partially related to spending on the Iraqi war.
I am really confused whether this decision to go on vacation is a sign of indifference regarding the Iraqi people or a way of saying "no" to President Bush, who is working hard to get the "oil law" through the Iraqi parliament.
Is British livestock more important to the UK prime minister than the Iraqi people to their government? Is this an analogy to making an animal life more important than that of a human being? Is taking a summer vacation a must for all politicians despite the vital decisions that are to be taken?
Another question also puzzles me: where are the Iraqi politicians spending their vacations? Are they going to spend them in Iraq enjoying the beauty of blood and destruction on every single street in Baghdad? I have been told that nothing is more attractive than the combination of red blood and green grass.
Are they going to spend their money in promoting local tourism or are they going to enjoy the breeze and nice weather in one of Europe's great capitals? If "yes," what is their destination?
Let's not jump to conclusions. Maybe they are attending a workshop presented by the British Environment Secretary Hilary Benn, who recently announced that "it was vital to contain the outbreak, which infected a local herd of cattle and could cost the British livestock industry up to $30 million a week in lost exports."
If this is the case then I am quite sure that after failing to bring about prosperity, peace or even security to their own people, Iraqi lawmakers could learn from the British how to care about the hundreds of people who die daily on Baghdad's streets.
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