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Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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 Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 5:43 pm Post subject: |
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| These revelers made the fatal error in the Middle East. No one really cares what you do in private. But once it is in the public sphere you can easily get yourself in deep trouble. |
Absolutely.
I always tell people that the number one rule in this part of the world (esp. KSA) is: Be discreet Always. Everywhere.
You could say that the number two rule is: Never assume your students (or other locals) are as 'liberal' as they might want you to believe they are. As grab-bag says, 'modernity' in this part of the world tends to be very superficial - it's easy to be deceived by the shiny, high-tech exterior. I say this not to patronise the Gulf Arabs - in reality they've come a long way in a short time - but one has to be realistic in what one can expect from societies that have had to pack hundreds of years of development into a few decades.
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| People who want to work here in Qatar or other Gulf countries to take a good look at the society they are working in; if they can�t accept the way things are and respect the religion, then they�d be better off going to a country that suits their raunchy lifestyle. |
I agree with you, and I'd never be one to defend disrespectful 'Westerners' in the Gulf. The only thing I might say is that certain places, - notably Dubai, but also of late some of the other Emirates, as well as Qatar - very much like to sell themsleves on the 'liberal, tolerant, anything goes' image. So I suppose there might be some justification for foreigners behaving badly there, as the image promoted by their tourist boards is confusing to say the least. At least KSA never pretends to be anything other than the bastion of conservative Islam, so foreigners there really have no excuse at all. |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 6:52 pm Post subject: |
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Dear Cleo,
"At least KSA never pretends to be anything other than the bastion of conservative Islam, . . ."
And did you ever choose the right verb - in so many respects. I imagine there's a direct correspondence between how puritanical a society is and the amount of hypocrisy in that society.
And, by the way, in my opinion, the good old USofA ranks pretty high up there, too.
Regards,
John |
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wilberforce
Joined: 27 Dec 2008
Posts: 647
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Green Acres
Joined: 06 May 2009
Posts: 260
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| Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 11:06 am Post subject: |
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I read the article, and I don't get it. It's illegal to meet in a car? The man is married?
What is the actual crime committed -- one year in prison? There must have been something more than the story tells. |
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helenl
Joined: 04 Jan 2006
Posts: 1202
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| Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:29 pm Post subject: |
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Consorting with a member of the opposite sex without benefit of marriage is considered adultery, whether or not either party is married to a third party. This is standard law in the GCC. Adultery does not have to include sexual intercourse either.
The primary reason why these two were arrested and charged is because both were Asian. In most cases, the police will turn a blind eye IF both parties (regardless of nationality) are discreet. However, public shenanigans will attract their notice and/or if a complaint is filed (and in the case of the latter, public or private shenanigans will be treated the same) the police WILL act regardless of nationality.
Do unmarried people meet, mingle, date (or get up to the aforesaid "shenanigans")? Yes, it happens all the time. However, you must be aware of the consequences IF someone files a complaint - arrest, medial exams (no choice), jail, (possible lashes, not frequent but not unheard of) and deportation. |
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Green Acres
Joined: 06 May 2009
Posts: 260
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| Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 2:24 pm Post subject: |
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What a romantic notion!! My love for you, honey, is worth all the lashes they can dish out!
Kiss me quick!
I love it. Very romantic place! I can't wait to get there. |
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