Job Discussion Forums

[freesoul]

" The Saudi Interior Ministry has confirmed a number of foreigners, including three Britons, were shot at by unidentified persons in the Al-Jubail Industrial Province, but no one was hurt.
Lt. Gen. Mansoor Al-Turki, the ministry spokesman, told the Al-Jazeera newspaper published on Wednesday that a small bus with six people of different nationalities on board came under fire Tuesday night in Al-Jubail.
Turky said the bus carried one Saudi national, three Britons, a Syrian and the Pakistani driver.
He said that a passnger in a vehicle shot at the bus shattering the rear glass.
An investigation is underway and a man-hunt is on for the attackers. "

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2009052739149

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/556870-gunmen-fire-at-bus-carrying-foreigners-in-saudi

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Ohhh!!! Where, oh, where does one sign up for all of that grand Saudi moolah?

NCTBA

[Green Acres]

Probably thought they were Man United fans. I would have had the same reaction if I was strolling about peacefully in my own hometown with an ak47 on my shoulder and then come upon them.

[redeyes]

I guess there are different ways to respond to such news -- my immediate reaction is one of concern and worry obviously.

But then again, on reflection ,seeing it in relation to our life in Britain -- even in sleepy "safe" cities in Britain -- you still certainly have to watch out for your safety if you find yourself in the wrong part of town in the evening, or if you walk through a large park alone, or if you look at someone in "the wrong way" as the drunks are tumbling out of the pubs after closing, or if you are waiting in line for a taxi at night.

And that is in SAFE, well off areas in UK, like Suffolk, or Oxford, Cambridge, Brighton,affluent areas of London etc

I don't know -- how do the long term stayers in Saudi view these kinds of events in Saudi?

Fear? Worry? Concern? Or....do you have the feeling its still, on the whole, safer than the streets of UK?

Is Jubail a notably hostile area? Are many other areas in Saudi also just as risky as Jubail ? Or are most areas not risky at all, relatively speaking?

Another point to consider -- is the attack on these Westerners also related to what they do and who they work for in Saudi? The same rule holds true in other parts of the world -- for example, in some Far Eastern cities, Western Military personnel are certainly occasionally targeted and should be very aware of the threat to their safety, whilst TEFL teachers are left alone as being insignificant,powerless targets, since they aren't connected to military/big business etc.

I'd be very interested to hear long termer's thoughts here.

[skyrocket]

I worked there for 10 years. The first 8 were great the last 2 were not so great. After 9/11 things got a bit less secure in Saudi and in 2003/04 alot of nasty stuff happened. However I hear it is all alot calmer now. There is a list of about 86 wanted al Qaeda nutters in Saudi on the go just now and there will be LOTS of sympathisers all over Saudi. I know of cases where people have had pot shots taken at them in other places too. There are risks associated with the place. Read the FCWO travel warnings for Saudi and then decide...........

[felton]

I may be coming over there soon, so this recent event begs the question "Is it safe to live in SA as an English speaking foreigner?" I am in South Korea now and the South Koreans I talk with are mostly frustrated with their northern neighbor. So, what do the people on the ground in SA say?

[skyrocket]

if you need the money it's a good place to go. If you're more interested in culture forget it ! Who are you applying to ??? There is a vast range of opportunities in Saudi but you usually have to start at the bottom and work your way up. I did anyway. It is important to find a reputable contract so ask lots of questions b4 you go. I can advise but am not on-line all the time... The best place to go is probably Jeddah if you're looking for a bit of adventure. The diving is excellent . Al Khobar is okay if you can get a visa that lets you leave and go to Bahrain ( Multiple exit re-entry visa) Some employers keep your passport when you arrive and you have to apply in advance to get a visa to leave for the weekend! It's a steep learning curve. Not like anywhere else I've ever been. I was due to go back but have turned down a good contract today. I was there from 1994 and in 2003/04 witnessed alot of quite nasty stuff. ( Oasis compound attack etc.) You go for the money. That's it.

[skyrocket]

to answer the question more fully.

KSA is the homeland of Wahhabi Islam and birth place of Osama bin Laden. Hate has been preached there for years. There are terrorists there. Most westerners live in compounds surrounded by high fences, defended by soldiers with machine guns. There is always a threat. It has calmed down recently and alot of ex-pats seem happy there. ( or at least happy with the money the fancy villas and the ex-pat lifestyle) I strongly advise anyone thinking of going to read all the latest US and British Government travel advice b4 going. The incident today is not the first, nor will it be the last. Just google "saudi terror" and read on. Like I said, you go for the money, so if your're going to go at least find a contract that pays 12000 sr a month. Accept no less and look for alot more ! Best paid Jobs might be BAE systems, Saudi Development and Training and some of the Universities..... This doesn't mean they're good jobs !

[johnslat]

Dear skyrocket,

"You go for the money. That's it."

Well, if you changed that to "I went for the money. That's it.", I'd have no problem with that.
But boy, I do get a little weary of posters generalizing from their individual experiences:

E.G. Saudi is terrible; you'll hate it; Saudi is wonderful; you'll love it (not too many of those, admittedly, but some.)

If you let anyone tell you how you're going to react to Saudi, you're being very foolish because everyone has their own private Saudi Arabia.
But the part that can be bad is you never know what that's going to be until you get there.
Regards,
John

[redeyes]

Hi John,

What's your view on these shootings, and the general comments I made in the post above?

[johnslat]

Dear redeyes,
Some concern is not amiss, but to take an incident such as this and regard it as "typical" or a valid reason to fear going to (or staying in) Saudi, is, I'd say, giving it far more importance than it warrants.
My opinion is that your comments above are well-reasoned and to the point.
It's been said before (but bears repeating) that NO place on this planet is totally "safe and secure", and, personally, I felt safer and more secure in the Kingdom during some "unrestful times" (say 2000 - 2003) than I would have in many urban areas in the USA.
In a city very close to me, for example (Albuquerque), I'd be very wary today of venturing out after dark. And Albuquerque didn't even make it into the top 15 on Forbes Magazine's list of "Most Dangerous Cities in the USA."

http://www.forbes.com/2009/04/23/most-dangerous-cities-lifestyle-real-estate-dangerous-american-cities_slide_17.html?thisSpeed=3000

In Detroit, I probably would be very wary of venturing out in broad daylight.
Regards,
John

[007]

Well, regarding security and safety, the Magic Kingdom is a paradise compared to USA, UK, China, Korea, or Canada.
If you do not believe me ask Forbes Magazine.

[johnslat]

Dear 007,
Detroit made only Number 5 on this world list:

http://blog.travelpod.com/2009/03/19/10-most-dangerous-cities-in-the-world/

Regards,
John

[Kipling]

[007]

Well, I hope the new mayor of Detroit, David Bing, will rectify the situation and makes Detroit the paradise of USA using his basketball techniques!