I am writing with regard to the article "Our image…our values! (Jan. 7) by Dr. Khaled Batarfi. As an expat dependent, I have spent my whole life here. I was born here, raised here and completed my education here. Yet I am still a "foreigner" and have to apply and renew my status every year. Why do I have to to do this? Am I a threat? What values are you talking about? Saudi society as a whole looks down on expatriates and wants them only to be slaves and laborers. Kid, Online response II. In the article by Dr. Khaled, one can understand that the treatment an expatriate receives is dependent upon how important he is. However, the single question in every expat's mind is that if he is wronged, is there any way that he can knock on the door of justice? Is there a way to challenge the wrongdoing of sponsors? The trial the Pakistani engineer went through was painful and promotion was no real justice. Simple respect and honor is all that expats want. They are not asking for nationality; just some respect. Intellectual Mind, Online response III.
We can all fall into the trap of stereotyping a country and its people and I am sure that this article will receive comments from people who share their personal experiences both good and bad, and I am also sure that there is truth in all of those comment on an individual level. I have had my own experiences in the Kingdom both positive and negative. Saudi Arabia has its own unique history and the oil industry encouraged many people like myself to come here from abroad. Let's not engage in Saudi-bashing but rather think of ways to improve the relationship between Saudis and expats. Ramon Mohamed, Online response
