Job Discussion Forums

overworkedandunderpaid · Joined: 26 Mar 2010 Posts: 17 Location: somewhere on earth

Hi,
I'm thinking about teaching in Oman and I would like to know whether one is required to list a religion on the visa application or any other official forms (including for a liquor license if they have those there). If so, do they limit the allowable answers (i.e. could one write "none" or "humanist" or name an obscure religion)?
Thanks very much for the information :)

lynnknows · Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 10:20 am Post subject:

Yes, they ask. Its against the law to sell liquor to Muslims. Thats the only reason. Its not like they really care.

urbanversion · Joined: 27 Jan 2011 Posts: 426

What about judaism as your religion then. Answer after writing that, please.

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

Just put "Christian" and don't worry about it... you will not be quizzed and no one says anything about it again. But, most of us "non-believers" just put Christian and move on. Muslims tend to not get the concept of having no religion.

VS

urbanversion · Joined: 27 Jan 2011 Posts: 426

List Jewish/Judaism and see if you get a visa...

StampLover · Joined: 14 Dec 2010 Posts: 83 Location: Salalah, Oman

Know two people who are still working in country who put Jewish on the visa application with NO problems. From what is told it is only for alcohol permits that it matters.

lynnknows · Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 6:17 pm Post subject:

The international school I have worked in had Jewish people working there. One was the director. He did not hide being jewish. His office was filled with religous things. I have worked with 2 Jewish women as well. Its easier to get a visa being Jewish than being Shia. When I worked for the reform program no shias were able to get a visa.

urbanversion · Joined: 27 Jan 2011 Posts: 426

lynnknows · Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 6:30 pm Post subject:

Sorry but you are WRONG. The school, the parents, and most of the older students knew they were Jewish. Like I said, all you had to do was walk in his office. It was out there for the world to see.

He did not hide being Jewish from Anyone, including the government. This is why I said it was easier for him to get a visa than the Shias.......They didnt lie either but they were turned down.....Go figure. There are Shia nationals in Abu Dhabi, they could have worked there with no problem. The problen was their placement was in Dubai.

Being honest is always best. No need to get caught up in something and get kick out the country

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

I worked with a number of Jewish teachers in the Gulf over the years. They all put Christian on their forms... as did I and the other non-believers. None of us were honest and all went smoothly for all of us.

I'd still put Christian...

VS

urbanversion · Joined: 27 Jan 2011 Posts: 426

williamh · Joined: 30 Jan 2008 Posts: 24 Location: Oman

I agree - write christian, say you are christian if asked and leave it at that. One teacher I knew loudly proclaimed her religion (which was not christian, jewish, or muslim) and everyone then refered to her as the ** and remarked "she is very nice for a **" - another proclaimed he didn't have a religion, which was seen by the arabs and indians on the same level as if he said he was sleeping with his sister.

there is no need to highlight something that will be seen as negative when it is so simple to say christian, it's not like anyone is going to ask you religious questions to prove it

urbanversion · Joined: 27 Jan 2011 Posts: 426