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Wilsonthefarmer
Joined: 13 Nov 2012
Posts: 152
Location: Riding my black horse
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 Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 8:34 pm Post subject: The Magic Kingdom to change weekend to Friday-Saturday! |
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Saudi Arabia has announced it is switching its official weekend to Fridays and Saturdays, bringing its working week closer in line with other countries in a move long desired by many of its businesses.
The kingdom, the biggest Arab economy, had been the only member of the six-member Gulf Co-operation Council to have a Thursday-Friday weekend after Oman shifted to a Friday-Saturday weekend last month.
The surprise move, which will be applied from this week, was immediately welcomed by Saudi economists and businessmen.
The fact that the change is happening in June, after schools have closed and while many Saudis are on holiday before the Ramadan fast starts on 9 July, means it will be less jarring, economists said.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/23/saudi-arabia-weekend-friday-saturday |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 9:04 pm Post subject: |
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| Since the workweek will now start on Sunday, that means those teachers reporting back to work after the summer break have an extra day to chill. |
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Wilsonthefarmer
Joined: 13 Nov 2012
Posts: 152
Location: Riding my black horse
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| Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 9:16 pm Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
| Since the workweek will now start on Sunday, that means those teachers reporting back to work after the summer break have an extra day to chill. |
Not sure!
According to King Abdullah, the extra day to chill will start next academic year! 
With respect to the ministries, governmental bodies and institutions, all financial institutions, the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency, the Capital Market Authority and the Saudi Stock Exchange, the order shall be executed starting from Saturday, 20/08/1434 corresponding to 29/6/2013.
2- With respect to universities, schools and all institutions of public education and higher education, the order shall be executed from the beginning of the next academic year (1434/1435 AH).
http://www.spa.gov.sa/English/viewphotonews.php?id=1122964&pic= |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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Sheik Yerbuti
Joined: 02 Dec 2012
Posts: 105
Location: the promised land
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| Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 11:14 pm Post subject: |
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This may be of significance to the Saudi stock market, but to the
foreign teacher it amounts to zero difference. "Weekend in
Saudi Arabia" is an oxymoron. |
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edd_moseley
Joined: 24 Jun 2009
Posts: 26
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| Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 6:54 am Post subject: Saudi Weekend |
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It will be nice to be able to Skype home and speak to friends and family that are having the day off work as well.
Going to Bahrain and the Emirates will be a little more fun, normally most of the gigs I've wanted to see this year have been on a Friday night, next year I might be able to see them! |
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EnglishDoYouSpeakIt
Joined: 19 May 2009
Posts: 151
Location: Saudi Arabia
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| Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 5:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Sheik Yerbuti wrote: |
This may be of significance to the Saudi stock market, but to the
foreign teacher it amounts to zero difference. "Weekend in
Saudi Arabia" is an oxymoron. |
No it's not. There are two days where you don't have to work. The 'work week' has 'ended.' There is no contradiction. And there is plenty to do in Saudi Arabia unless you can't enjoy yourself without being intoxicated.
What I'm looking forward to is this: Saudi National Day is on a Monday. If the first day of the week will be Sunday, this means a high chance of us getting both Sunday and Monday off. A four day weekend to celebrate this great country. |
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Sheik Yerbuti
Joined: 02 Dec 2012
Posts: 105
Location: the promised land
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| Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 7:35 pm Post subject: |
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Who mentioned alcohol? But glad to see you are
enjoying your first year here. |
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CANDLES
Joined: 01 Nov 2011
Posts: 605
Location: Wandering aimlessly.....
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| Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 10:54 am Post subject: |
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Finally in line with the rest of the Middle East...
will get to see my friends in Oman and UAE...Hooray! |
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edd_moseley
Joined: 24 Jun 2009
Posts: 26
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| Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 3:10 pm Post subject: Change of weekend |
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Sometimes I am amazed at how slowly some things move here, and yet this new weekend has come right out of the blue.
At KFU we have already changed, this weekend will be 3 days (yey!) then we start the new working week Sunday - Thursday. It seems the dean must be keen on the idea. As the royal decree stated schools must start in September, I guess there was some interpretation and universities can start as soon as they like, even before the public sector businesses.
Anyway, all the teachers are in a good mood, for various reasons. However, when I asked my students they were mostly against the idea, or didn't care. I suppose it is quite a big change for them. |
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Wilsonthefarmer
Joined: 13 Nov 2012
Posts: 152
Location: Riding my black horse
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| Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 3:49 pm Post subject: Re: Change of weekend |
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| edd_moseley wrote: |
| However, when I asked my students they were mostly against the idea, or didn't care. I suppose it is quite a big change for them. |
Why?
Is it because Saturday (Sabbath) is the holy day for the Jews? And they think that they should not imitate the same day?
Anyway, I would say to the Saudis this:
KEEP CALM AND SMILE IT'S SATURDAY! |
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Keyboard Kommando
Joined: 03 Dec 2012
Posts: 38
Location: Saudi Arabia
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| Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 5:18 pm Post subject: |
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Saudi Arabia finally joined the 14th century!  |
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