Job Discussion Forums

Umm 'Abdil-Wahhaab · Joined: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 54

I'm curious to know whether people think that revealing that one is a Muslim will help or hurt their chances of getting a job and good salary.

On one hand, I think that employers may prefer to hire Muslims from the angle of adapting to an Islamic society easier, but then I think that because the employer knows the Muslim has an Islamic interest in living/working in an Islamic country- they may offer less?

Of course I know there are many other factors that influence these decisions, but all things being equal- what would you say?

(Also, I know that alot of Muslims may apply to work overseas to live there without having sufficient qualifications, but I am not referring to those cases)

johnslat · Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 9:43 pm Post subject:

Dear Umm 'Abdil-Wahhaab,

Whoa - there are just too many employers, too many variations, to be able to give a generalized answer to your question.

So, I'll give a specific answer. At the IPA, a teacher's faith (or lack of it) was never a factor in the hiring process (and I know because, as the coordinator, I took part in that process.)

I can recall only one time that one Director might have had a "religious" reason for letting a teacher go. The Director (a Saudi, of course) was not, shall we say. overly scrupulous about adhering to ALL that is required of Muslims. The teacher who was let go was an American convert who was EXTREMELY scrupulous about adhering to those requirements - and of making sure that every other Muslim did so as well.

The Director, I believe, got very tired of being summoned to prayer every day by one of his teachers.

Regards,
John

007

johnslat · Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 10:23 pm Post subject:

Dear 007,

Once again, that depends. At the IPA, we had teachers from Northern Africa (Tunisia, Morocco) and central Africa (Mali), from Iraq and from Lebanon.

Everyone had the same salary package, based only only qualifications and experience, not on "passport color."

Regards,
Joh

Asda · Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 231

Yes Umm AW, many employers will use Makkah and Madinah as a bargaining tool to work in the Kingdom, but mainly Jeddah or the Western strip (aka Hijaz) - which is pathetic, to say the least.

Also, try to not want the job too much and be prepared to walk away. Otherwise if they get wind of it, they'll play you like a puppet.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

You expect to get special treatment because you are one if the Faithful ? You could be in for a surprise.

You might find that the opposite is the case - especially if you try to talk non-stop about Islam. You are hired as an English teacher. Some of the more enthusiastic foreign Muslims who come here forget what they were hired for.

Asda · Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 231

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

And many Saudis do not take kindly to someone from the USA preaching to them about their faith. I can think of one (ex-colleague) who repeteadly told students in class that Saudi Arabia was not a "properly Islamic country".

He is no longer with us.

Umm 'Abdil-Wahhaab · Joined: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 54

Interesting and Insightful! Thanks for the replies.

Asda · Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 231

What really cracks me up is that Saudis go on about how you can't get citizenship of their kentree and how privileged they are etc. Then when you say that you wouldn't take it even if it was offered to you, they get incredibly offended...try it!

Kalima Shahada · Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 2:45 pm Post subject:

freesoul · Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 7:08 pm Post subject:

Try
http://www.uqu.edu.sa/english

Makkah is a a place where non-muslims are not permitted in.

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

IPA in Jeddah and Riyadh at least when I was there 1994-1996 was more than fair and considerate to western faculty. I heard amazing stories of Riyadh. For example some ****face self-appointed muttawah, a janitor from wherever, looked in people's drawers during Ramadan and reported a westerner who had a sandwich in his desk. They fired the janitor.

Another incident in Jeddah just before I arrived. Some teacher had a girlfriend in his apartment. The watchman chased the woman down the street when she emerged. Apparently the instructor didn't get reported, but IPA told the watchman NEVER to stick his beak in an IPA resident's personal business again.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

There is an "exclusion zone" in Mecca into which non-muslims cannot enter. Some of the outer suburbs are outside that exclusion zone. I used to go to those outer suburbs to teach English many years ago. A scary ride from Jeddah !