Job Discussion Forums

bigshowgeer · Joined: 26 Jul 2013 Posts: 3 Location: United States

Hello there.

Currently waiting for a visa to go teach in Abha.

Anyone out there currently? Any tips for a KSA newbie? I assume safety is a key point after yesterday...

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

http://www.arabnews.com/featured/news/787781

It seems that Daesh have claimed responsibility.

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

Thus far it has seemed to be mainly hitting Shia or military related mosques. And then there is the detail that lately Daesh has taken credit for everything everywhere...

VS

BajaLaJaula · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 267

You've got the original crew "The Base" and the new kids on the block "Daesh", not to mention a bunch of pissed off Yemenis across the border to contend with.

Saudi master overlords....Lazem flus kateer, wa illa, Ana mu shagal fii Saudi (Me needie more money, otherwise, me no workee in your country.)

bigshowgeer · Joined: 26 Jul 2013 Posts: 3 Location: United States

is it not wise for me to go to Abha then? Anyone know how many other westerners are in the city?

BajaLaJaula · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 267

All depends on how badly you need the money. Hard to say as each person has their own unique set of circumstances.

Even though some will say that security is not an issue, it should always be a concern when the US State Department has issued warnings and advised against US citizens living or travelling in areas close to the border with Yemen.

I don't think living in Saudi should be a long term plan for expatriates since there are bound to be more changes (not the good kind) in store in the coming years as the Royal Mafia begins to lose their grip and their repressive control over the population. Nasty folks are going to be moving back to their motherland from their killing sprees in Iraq and Syria and will want to continue their work in Saudi.

Do you really feel secure with Saudi security forces keeping them at bay?

1chunk · Joined: 05 Aug 2014 Posts: 123

Hi there,

There have been regular reports on the news regarding casualties in the Southern areas such as Jazan etc. Lots of shells and missiles being launched from each side. You had the bombing inside a mosque the other day, so it shows what the other side is capable of.

It could get better...or worse.

Personally I'd stay away and stick to the safer, built up, heavily policed areas such as Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam etc. Simply because even if it's well paid, my health, life and peace of mind is worth a lot more.

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

If you've already paid for the medical and all the other costs that go along with a visa then you may as well go to Abha. At least recoup the costs and make some money. They're not as likely to attack the teaching centers or King Khalid university.

Hatcher · Joined: 20 Mar 2008 Posts: 602

I would say Abha was a random target and unlikely to see more in the future.

Recently, there have been three events and targets were random. I would say go to Abha.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Random ? The target in Asir was a mosque used by Saudi Special Forces.
Earlier attacks in Eastern Province were Shia Mosques.

Sheik Yerbuti · Joined: 02 Dec 2012 Posts: 105 Location: the promised land

OP, please tell me you did not take that job for 11,000 SAR.

That aside, Abha is the best place I have visited in Saudi, and the recent event probably assures a decade of peace in that city now.... Scott, how many on this board bend a knee at any mosque in country , let alone a "fortified" one?

So far they aren't targeting Carrefour's.

akoo · Joined: 01 Apr 2015 Posts: 5

Go to Abha and everywhere else in Saudi as well. Either for work or travel. It doesn't matter where a bomb explodes, it could blow up in London or Washington next. Does that mean you shouldn't go there? It's a ridiculous way of thinking, which often doesn't involve a whole lot of thinking to be honest - just emotion mixed with ignorance and fear. And fear is the mother root of of many successive negative emotions.

Some will try hard to persuade it's just a dangerous place to be, but in reality it's actually a peaceful place. Only recently has there been a surge in violence, but then again the country is at war as well as proxy-war.

Just go and enjoy it. It has the best weather and the people are nice, too.

Also go to Najran, the people are generous.

And Jizan, the people are funny Smile

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

The Terrs may not be targeting Carrefour but a knowledge of Contemporary History would indicate that not only mosques are likely to be targets.

Remember the Oasis Massacre ? There were several incidents around that time involving unbelievers and godless infidels.