Job Discussion Forums

teacup05 · Joined: 14 Aug 2011 Posts: 15 Location: International

I'm about to start a job in Riyadh. Will I be considered some kind of degenerate if I bring books on yoga and meditation? What about European non-Christian spiritual traditions?

In general, are there recommendations on what/what not to bring in the way of reading matter? What about music?

Thanks in advance!

johnslat · Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 11:21 pm Post subject:

Dear teacup05,

Yoga and meditation - no problem. I've even seen books about the Dali Lama at Jarir (and that was back in 2002.)

In the really "old days," say, the 80s, Customs could be dicey. but these days it's (almost always) lax as regards books and music. Books to be avoided would be something like Salman Rushdie's "The Satanic Verses" or "The Joys of Sex: (it's possible even those might get through currently, but I certainly wouldn't try it.)

I's mostly pictures (as in magazines) that could cause a problem (if they depict nude and/or lewd acts) and I wouldn't bring a Bible.

If you're a reader, you might consider investing in a Kindle or some other e-reader.

Regards,
John

teacup05 · Joined: 14 Aug 2011 Posts: 15 Location: International

Thanks very much for your feedback!

I guess the criteria you give rules out the anatomy for artists I was hoping to bring (and forgot to mention). And I suppose my book on Rubens should stay home . . .

I figured Salman Rushie would be an undiplomatic choice. But it sounds like yoga and stuff that mentions Gnostic and pagan beliefs will be all right.

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

I'd avoid anything obviously religious...

VS

Middle East Beast · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree

It's Scary! · Joined: 17 Apr 2011 Posts: 823

blackwellben · Joined: 06 Nov 2010 Posts: 121 Location: Saudi Arabia

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

I keep my music as mp3 files on a 250GB portable USB drive to play on my lappy or switch out favorites to play on my mp3 player. No need to schlep around a bunch of obvious CDs.

Middle East Beast · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree

Deeman15 · Joined: 30 Apr 2011 Posts: 50

No, you're not stuck. You can rip TV shows and movies off the DVD and copy them to the external hard drive. You can get huge external hard drives that fit in your pocket these days. No need to carry all those discs around.

johnslat · Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 8:25 pm Post subject:

Sorry, but I think trying to bring a Bible into Saudi is just asking for trouble:

Will Delta Airlines enforce Saudi no-Jews, no-Bibles, no-crosses rule?

http://blog.beliefnet.com/on_the_front_lines_of_the_culture_wars/2011/06/will-delta-airlines-enforce-saudi-no-jews-no-bibles-no-crosses-rule.html

Apparently it's now not uncommon to allow one to bring a Bible into the country "only for personal use." But I wouldn't count on every custom inspector complying with that:

"PROHIBITED ITEMS

Alcohol-containing items, flavoring extracts, cooking wines, wine making kits, books on manufacturing of such drinks or any foods with alcohol, etc.
Narcotics
All kinds of medicines
Medicine MUST be accompanied by doctor's prescription and is to be for personal use only
Radio transmitter/communication equipment (including walkie-talkies, short-wave, VHF, marine, police band equipment, etc.)
Binoculars or telescopic equipment
All types of statues
Objects of human or animal form (statues, figurines, carvings, etc.)
Games of chance (chess, dice, backgammon, etc.)
All weapons and firearms (real or ornamental), including guns, ammunition, fireworks, spears and other edged weapons, etc. (owner subject to investigation, fines, and/or imprisonment)
Pornographic material and literature including fashion magazines with people wearing undergarments or swimsuits
Politically sensitive material
All foodstuff
Stuffed animals
Articles contrary to Muslim or Saudi Arabian beliefs or morality will not be allowed into the country
Christmas trees/decorations or any other items (BIBLES) associated with religions other than the Muslim faith"

http://saudi-arabia.shipping-international.com/customs/

Actually, if having a hard copy of a Bible is indispensable to someone, then Saudi Arabia just might not be the right place for such a person to live, anyway.

Regards,
John

Middle East Beast · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree

Middle East Beast · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree

teacup05 · Joined: 14 Aug 2011 Posts: 15 Location: International

Thanks for the link and all the feedback. I'm better prepared because of it. The remarks regarding keeping a respectful and open mind regrading the culture and beliefs, and understanding how public and private are separate in Saudi make complete sense.

For me a Bible is not at all indispensable, and it's not a Bible I'd like to bring. I'm an artist and would like to educate myself while I'm not teaching. Western art has a lot of pagan and other symbolism in it, and the books that clarify these ideas which were current during the European Renaissance aren't exactly mainstream now even in Western countries. I may have to revise my reading list. A kindle would be a good idea if I had the time to get one and if the books I want were available for it.

Alas, after reading the list of prohibited items I think I'll jettison my 2 yoga books (which has pictures of scantily dressed men and women, and one picture of a man and woman together with not many clothes on).

johnslat · Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 10:36 pm Post subject:

Dear teacup05,

I think I may have made you over-cautious. The chances are very good to excellent that you wouldn't have any problems with the yoga books or even with art books that contain nudes.

Customs has gotten a lit more perfunctory in recent years. It's just that I don't think anyone can give you a 100% iron-clad, satisfied or your money back reassurance simply because there's always the off-chance that you could have the bad fortune to run into a wanna-be muttawa who's working at Customs.

Regards,
John