Job Discussion Forums

[ghost]

Several Algerian and Moroccan teachers, who teach Math and Science in Canada, have expressed an interest in working in the Gulf countries. I have been asked to guide them in their plan. They tend to be francophones, but some of them also speak adequate English, and certainly enough to teach the technical subjects, which they tend to excel in.

Just wondering, how are Algerians and Moroccans viewed in general terms by people in the Gulf countries? I know that from a cultural standpoint, there are many differences. Also, even their varieties of spoken Arabic differ a lot.

Do people in the Middle Eastern countries view the Algerians and Moroccans very differently from, for example, the Lebanese?

Thank you.

Ghost

[miski]

Hookers out to get Gulf husbands at any cost.

[007]

[ghost]

[007]

[Cleopatra]

[mishmumkin]

I'm with Cleo on this, ghost. I think we have been exposed to different stereotypes.

[ghost]

The Lebanese themselves make a distinction between those who are Phoenicians and those who have other origins, including arabs.

In fact, Lebanese of Phoenician origin often claim that they are not in fact 'arabs' and the physical characteristics of these people often bear substance to that, although there are many other variables which come into play.

You have a similar situation in Algeria, where many Berbers claim autonomy.

Ghost

[Cleopatra]

[Mia Xanthi]

The only Lebanese that I have ever heard claim themselves to be of "Phoeneican" origin were Lebanese Christians who (in my humble opinion) were trying to distinguish themselves as much as possible from Arab Muslim Lebanese. Like Cleopatra, I view this as a myth that some use to claim that they are somehow racially superior to others. I find it somewhat offensive.

As for the original topic of this thread, I have had a number of Maghrebi colleagues, and I did not find them to be treated differently from any other Arab expat group in KSA. If anything, they may have been treated a little better because the ones who teach in universities in KSA usually have excellent qualifications and have spent considerable time at US/Canada/UK universities. I do not think your Moroccan or Algerian friends will encounter anything other than the usual problems in KSA.

[007]

[miski]

Sorry I misread teachers for leeches and thought you meant all the ones who work in the Avenues............

[mishmumkin]

[Stephen Jones]

I've never heard anybody suggest Coptic Christians were different from other Egyptians (MOD edit).

Now, there used to be a vast Greek community in Egypt until Nasser kicked them out. Alexandria used to be the second largest Greek city in the world after Athens (I believe that position has now been taken by Melbourne).

With regard to the Levant, Nasim Taleeb does have some interesting things to say in The Black Swan. One thing he points out is the whole region of the Levant has been replaced in other's consciousness by the Middle East.

[Cleopatra]