Job Discussion Forums

dparansky · Joined: 04 Jun 2007 Posts: 1

Hi. I've been thinking about the possibility of teaching in the UAE. I'm a non-observant Jew with an obviously Jewish name. Would this be any issue if I were to go to the UAE and teach, in terms of my safety? Oh, also, I'm an American. Thanks for any thoughts.

NadiaK · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 206

I know of several teachers in the UAE with Jewish or Jewish-sounding names, and I'm not aware that it has caused them any problems. That said, I strongly suspect that it would be wise to *not* mention your ethnic origin to any students or local acquaintances as there is an unfortunate tendency to confuse "Jewish" with "State of Israel" (the latter being very unpopular in this part of the world, as you are no doubt aware). You may also need to give your religion as something other than Jewish when applying for visas etc.

Gauguin · Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Posts: 54 Location: At the Cutting Edge

Is this posting Kosher?

gauguin

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Don't ask don't tell.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I have met a number of people of Jewish ancestry who taught in the Gulf. Every one of them put 'Christian' on their job applications. I suggest that if you are serious, you do the same.

VS

trapezius · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 1:00 am Post subject:

One of my colleagues in SAUDI was Jewish, and he just didn't tell anybody.

Heck, he even served in the Israeli military for 1 or 2 years.

kiefer · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 268

stoth1972 · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 3:45 pm Post subject:

Many phrases from the Quran may be extracted out of context to support a variety of arguments.

007 · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 3:44 pm Post subject:

What�s wrong to be a Jewish and living and working in the Arab/Islamic countries?
There are Arab Jewish living in Morocco, Tunisia, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, etc., And they are OK, even some of the Arab Jewish in Yemen declined the invitation from the �Israeli� government to immigrate to �Israel�.
As far as your passport is not an �Israeli� one, I do not see any obstacle for you to work in UAE or any other Gulf country.

stoth1972 · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 4:21 pm Post subject:

007, all true. I think, though, it could cause some issues in applying for the work permit (even if there are no defined laws that state as much), and if nothing else, create a bit of a scandal w/ students.

lyndalorient · Joined: 10 May 2007 Posts: 58 Location: Dublin