Job Discussion Forums

[Pikgitina]

Seems that Al-Yamamah is in trouble not only on this forum. Have a look at this (short) article on the NY Times website.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/29/theater/29play.html

[007]

[bryanlorin]

For what reason do you presume that this New York Times article spells "trouble" for Al-Yamamah College? Where does this desire to denounce this college come from? I have seen this so much in the postings. I am not in denial about the problems at the college; I take action each day to do something about where the college is lacking. This is a faculty member's job.

Or is the negativity about the college just because people like to attack those who take a clear stance on an issue? The college, to the best of my knowledge, is owned and run largely by Saudis, who are taking their stance on a nation-wide debate. This stance is clearly (and in large print) posted on the Freeway outside the campus.

Conservative Saudis disagree with this stance, and as a visiting liberal westerner, tolerance and respect for all sides of the debate must be practiced.

As a teacher at Al Yamamah, I cannot avoid bringing my western values into the classroom. Thus, in response to the incident at the college, I will try to promote tolerance and respect for both sides of this national debate.

[Queen of Sheba]

I have to agree with Bryon here, the endlessly philosophic ray of hope that he may be. If Al Yamamah is in trouble, then so is every shopping mall, street corner, and grocery store in Saudi Arabia, since all the same types looking to exert their force thru mindless violence lurk there as well. Include every student, writer, educator, scholar and every Saudi that's involved in this internal clash of cultures.

Come to think of it, that sums up everywhere and everyone in the country, so maybe we are all in witness to historic events. Therefore, to those expats who are against this college I say this, either quit complaining that this college is "too progressive" or this country does not live up to your pre-conceived Islamic notions, and simply do your job, or do us all a favor and quit deceiving Al Yamamah and the government of KSA that you are a constructive, non-violent person, when you are clearly here to fight for a cause. One that is not yours to understand, or deal with by the way.

Think good and hard on that one and ask yourself an honest question; "Why do I care so much more about this issue and this culture, which is not even my own, when I don't know my own history and have not solved my own peoples' problems." Your comments that show support of these actions make you dangerous to your co-workers and a menace to society.

[robertinarabia]

That's the problem with TEFLER's these days- everyone thinks he's a cultural expert simply because he languishes in an alien culture. So who cares about plays and veils and all that stuff, honestly, I hate it when they try to westernize themselves, all they achieve in creating is a sad pathetic cultural distortion of both the west and the Islamic world. I prefer the rustic Saudis, I find them genuine and sincere and not bigoted in the least. Some of the most hateful are those who seek to ape the West and have had misdealings with it. It would be better all around if Saudis were forbidden by their government from travelling abroad, no good comes of it. They should not be allowed out. Satellites ought to be confiscated as they only waste their money calling Lebanese chat lines anyhow. The most repressive and rigorous interpretation of Islam ought to be applied to control the people here. I object to picking up the " Arab News" which I read in the expectation of blood, military violence and the all around trampling of humanity and instead get what...? Nonesense written by Saudi women moaning about the niqab and the Abaya. But guess what, we're not interested! We don't care if you are locked in a box all day or allowed out, all we want is cheap oil and money- and for Saudis not to get in the way. The best way to keep Saudis out of the way- quiet, passive and silent is to divert their attention with holy books and prayers, when they're doing that they're quiet enough. Among themselves they can do whatever they like, the more religious they are the better, after all, the alternative is a drunken chump, we're not going to get the oil any cheaper if we westernize them are we? The one thing that can be guaranteed to keep the Saudis stupid is religion, it's got to be a good thing, hasn't it?
Poor TEFLER's cosying up to Saudi liberals, you just don't get the program, and probably you're not mean to get it either.

[Pikgitina]

I never said that the article "spells trouble" for the place. What I meant was that Al-Yamamah was clearly under fire here on this forum and then when I stumbled upon the NYT article, I thought I'd share it and provoke some further discussion, as it does touch on what previous discussions have been about. That's all. I'm definitely not against the college - I think it's great that it's there and I always have. I have defended it before on this site.

[Cleopatra]

[Pikgitina]

Just click on the link - you don't have to be registered to access it.

[Cleopatra]

Yes, you do.

Maybe as a registered user, you are logged in automatically?

Why not cut and paste the article so we can all read it?

[veiledsentiments]

Really not much reason to bother as it is very short. The Arab Snooze article was much better... why not add a link to that one?

VS

[robertinarabia]

Cleo, ok, now maybe you can help me with something seeing I like an ordred world and all, how come you changed the picture that has always accompanied your posts and who was that speaking to the crowd, honestly, its been driving me nuts for months and I never had the courage to ask. Is it an Irish revoutionary hero from the 1916 Easter Uprising like Parnell for example ( best guess I can come up with right now ). I'd really like to know, go on, make a loser like me a winner, just for once!

[Sheikh Inal Ovar]

Jim Larkin ... (1846-1947) founder of Ireland's first National trade union, the Irish Transport & General Workers Union (ITGWU), and co-founder of the Irish Labour party addressing a meeting on O'Connell Street, Dublin, Ireland, 1923...

Right Cleo?

[Cleopatra]

Right, Sheikh.

[robertinarabia]

Jim Larkin, thanks a lot! Thanks Sheikh, I owe you. Now I just have to do a quite serach on Jim Larkin and I'll have a real insight into this. See folks, SOMETIMES A LOSER WINS!!!!

[Pikgitina]

Weird - since I read it on a public computer where I wasn't logged in. Anyway, here it is - probably rather dull now (not that it wasn't when I found it) after all of that:

Trouble at a Saudi Play
By ADAM SANK
Published: November 29, 2006

A group of men stormed the stage during a performance in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, of �Wasati Bila Wasatiya� (�A Moderate Without Moderation�), a play critical of religious conservatives, Reuters reported, citing Saudi newspapers and Web sites.

As the play began at a cultural festival at Al-Yamamah College in Riyadh, the men, described as Islamic extremists, ran to the stage in an attempt to halt the performance. Police fired shots into the air to break up a violent brawl that followed, as the Islamists, students and actors threw chairs and attacked one another with sticks. Seventeen men were arrested.

There are no public theaters or movie houses in Saudi Arabia.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/29/theater/29play.html