Job Discussion Forums

[Mr Gohlam]

I just want to add some positive light on the fact that some people are happy to be in Saudi Arabia, and we come here to develop our faith and cultural connection with Muslims.

I am thankful to have my job, which offers me a nice apartment and pleasant living conditions when compared to the debauchery of the UK, and to be close to Mecca and Medina. I pray more people, and ESL teachers in particular will come towards Islam this Ramadan. Saudi Arabia is the homeland of Muslims, and it will remain that way no matter what anybody says against the country.

[Cleopatra]

[Stephen Jones]

[Abba]

[Abba]

[james]

Dear Mr. Gohlam,

Where did you get that cool looking bus? It looks like the 1968 Magical Mystery Tour bus. You haven't got John Lennon,George Harrison, the Eggman and the Walrus stuffed in the back of the bus somewhere, have you?

On a side note, I don't know why everyone is so upset that you prefer your nice apartment in the Magic Kingdom to the debauchery of the United Kingdom. Let's face it, UK style debauchery isn't what it used to be. Now, if you visited somewhere like Las Vegas where Debauchery is spelled with a capital "D" 24/7/365, you'd forget your flat and head to the City of Sin. In the words of a real King and, perhaps, the greatest American to have ever lived, "VIVA, LAS VEGAS!!!"

Finally sir, it really turns others off when one in trying to say something nice finds it necessary to put those same others down. How many Brits do you think are going to accept your invitation to Islam when you find it necessary to gratuitiously insult their country? Bad form, old man.

[Abba]

[Mr Gohlam]

[Cleopatra]

Good replies, james and Abba.

It's clear from his posts that Mr G has not been in the Kingdom for very long. He is typical of a certain type of person - Muslim, either by birth or (more often) through conversion, who come to KSA expecting to find some sort of vision of the Ideal Islamic State. They believe they will find brotherhood and togetherness with the Saudis, thinking that the only thing that counts is that they are Muslims. Sooner or later - usually sooner - these people find out that KSA is pretty much like any other country in that it has its good points and bad points, and that they are just as likely to be ripped off, racially abused, lied to etc as they are anywhere else.

Being Muslim may be all that counts for you, Mr. G., but if it's all that matters to your Saudi brethern, can you tell us just why it is that Pakistanis who, unlike you, do not have the passport of a nation of debauchery, are treated so badly on a regular basis?

Oh, and do let us know more about British debauchery while we're on the subject. Last time I was in Britain it seemed a pretty dull place to be honest, the odd hen night or Celtic vs. Rangers carry-on besides.

Oh yes, great bus. Credit where it is due and all that.

[Stephen Jones]

[james]

Sheltered indeed, Mr. Jones!? Perhaps, Vegas can't compare in debauchery to some of your worldwide stomping grounds, but if it was good enough for Elvis, it's good enough for me.....Viva, Las Vegas!

[KSA-UK]

Sorry but...
Are you guys blaming him for being happy in Saudi Arabia?
It might seem surprising for some of us but...Some people ARE happy here;Including some non muslims!
Let's face it, if we were so unhappy...we would leave! (At least I would)
I also agree with some of the replies. I think some newcomers(I mean the Muslims)tend to idealize this place (for religious reasons). Unfortunately for them, after a few years, they get confronted with the bitter reality of this place.

[james]

Dear KSA-UK,

I, for one, do not find fault with Mr. Gohlam simply for enjoying life in Saudi Arabia. I enjoy life in Saudi Arabia, as do my wife, my son and the vast majority of our friends. I do find fault with him, however, in needlessly putting down citizens of the UK and making snide comments about their country.

When I was a child, my mother taught me that if I could not say something nice about someone, I should just keep my big mouth shut. This is pretty darned good advice, if you think about it.

This individual makes hurtful and hateful comments to and about others for the simple reason that it makes him feel better about himself. He acts as if he were the spokesman for all Muslims, and I assure you, he is not. I, myself, am a Muslim and I find the ignorance and lack of tolerance this man has shown to be appalling. He may speak for himself, but he does NOT speak for me, or my family. His veiws do not represent mine, nor do they represent the views of a great number of Muslims.....western or otherwise.

If we had a few more voices of tolerance toward others in this world, rather than the loud voices of intolerance, like Mr. Gohlam's, maybe, just maybe, we could, once-and-for-all, convince non-Muslims that ours really is a religion of peace.

As long as people like him hurl insults at others for no legitimate reason, then people on both sides will continue to view each other with suspicion and mistrust. Until the day comes that this mistrust is swept away forever, none of us, Muslim or non-Muslim, can ever hope to be judged by the qualities of our individual character rather than by the color of our Iqamma. Goodness, decency and respectablility can be found in people holding red Iqammas just as they can be found in people holding green ones.....or in those holding no Iqamma at all.

Peace,

james

[scot47]

I am curious as to why Mr Gohlam and many like him choose to go and live in the West in the first place. He seems reluctant to answer my inquiry : Why did he choose to go and live in the West, surrounded by unbelievers ?

Why do so many from Muslim countries go and live in "Dar Al-Harb" ?

[soitsenglishweteach]