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lizziebennet · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 355

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Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 2:09 pm Post subject:

1. Yes

2. Not really, they probably woudn't understand the lyrics.

3. Only if you pack it neatly between your alcohol and pork for "personal use"...

NCTBA

desultude · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614

lizziebennet · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 355

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Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 4:02 pm Post subject:

I got all kinds of stories...including the one when the missus and I returning to Riyadh International from some trip to some location and upon deplaning seeing an Interior Ministry troop (I recognized the uniform and insignia as I taught them) standing at the plane's entrance holding up a placard with MY name on it.

Yikes! Knowing I, again, was a virtual prisoner, I decided to give myself up to the young man who hurriedly motioned us (as he didn't speak a lick of English) along to the baggage area and waited for us to retrieve our luggage. He then, what I thought, "confiscated" our passports, and walked us up to the passport counter guy bypassing all the others in line and gave our passports to the officer in the booth who summarily stamped our re-entry visas. The Interior Ministry troop then, happily gave us our passports to us and said "Goodbye" in Arabic.

Only then, did I realize that he was some poor guy that our travel agent had paid a little extra scratch to in order to facilitate our movement through the airport!

Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out...

NCTBA

johnslat · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 4:32 pm Post subject:

Dear lizziebennet,

1. Can I take a laptop full of photos showing more skin than usual like nights out with the girls etc (also would include all my wedding photos as i had a strapless tube type dress...)
Do they care about that?

1. Very likely, no problem (I wrote "Very likely" because one can't really give a "Yes"/"No" answer to ANY question about Customs. The odds are overwhelming that Customs will just wave the laptop right through - BUT
(and you knew there was a BIG BUT coming, didn't you?) if you are unlikely enough to draw an agent who is A: a, shall we say. extremely devout Muslim, or B: suffering from a terrible hangover and determined to make everyone else's life equally miserable, well, it COULD get checked.

2. Also what about music, do they care what music is on your IPOD or PC?
2. No problem - as with (most) books, its not so much the words they care about (or can even read) as it is pictures.

3. And a used Bible for personal use...
3. NO, NO, NO - this is why I put "most" in front of "books" in the previous answer. Oh, you might slip it through, but I, for one, would never take the chance.

Regards,
John

JacoMaloney · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 4:33 pm Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 4:46 pm Post subject:

Dear JacoMaloney,
I hope you realize that by advising lizzie to "take her Bible," there is a good possibility that your advice will land her in a world of trouble. As for their being a "church" there, unless you are referring to the religious services at the embassies, such illegal churches are often raided by the religious police and those attending are jailed and then deported.
Regards,
John

Grendal · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 4:50 pm Post subject:

Sorry but ehum ...... 21st century folks. on line, online, on-line.

You may be attached to that leatherbound book of universal truth but after all isn't it supposed to be written in your heart too.

Don't do it for the Saudies (not bringing the Bible) do it for yourself and you will be compensated from a higher power.

Regards.

Grendal

lizziebennet · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 355

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johnslat · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 4:58 pm Post subject:

Dear lizziebennet,
That UK website (could you provide a link?) is DEAD WRONG and is giving out dangerous information.
I'm sure others who are or have been in the Kingdom will confirm this.
Regards,
John

lizziebennet · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 355

Post deleted

johnslat · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 5:07 pm Post subject:

Dear lizziebennet,

OMG - they have actually posted that:

"The Saudi authorities do accept the private practice of religions other than Islam, and you are only allowed to bring a Bible into the country as long as it is for your personal use."

This was clearly written by someone who has NEVER set foot in the Kingdom and who is probably basing his/her statement on "the official Saudi government" propaganda. It IN NO WAY reflects the reality of what actually takes place in the Kingdom.
Regards,
John

Grendal · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 5:20 pm Post subject:

dear lizzie

you can print it out, then it will be in your hands.

use the school printer

G

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 5:25 pm Post subject:

Eissa! What a DUMB and misleading thing to post! Jes' about as DUMB when the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh issued a memo to the American community at large that, in fact, non-Muslim women were under NO requirement to "cover-up" in public...even if ordered by the mutawwa.

Well, maybe they felt cmfortable saying that as THEY all had OFFICIAL passports...but us peons could only hope that they would give us a list of officially approved saudi lawyers after being hauled off to jail after being arrested for not "covering up"!

Hah! Sure services are held...most notably by Korean expats, but always in secret and ALWAYS under the fear of being arrested.

As I said earlier though, as long as "you pack it neatly between your alcohol and pork for "personal use"... ", yer good to go...

Go with God...

NCTBA