Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi Estabraq is an Iraqi living in Saudi Arabia. We were talking about her experience in this country, and she told me a childhood favorite story. “In January, 1991, the UN war to clear Kuwait from Iraqi forces was at its highest favor. Saddam Scuds missiles were raining on Saudi Arabia and his army threatening its Eastern region. “It was the wrong time to be Iraqis, we thought—like Saddam was not satisfied enough that we left our beloved country to his Baathist regime, and was now chasing us in our holy sanctuary in the Land of Islam, trying to ruin it for our family. “We felt so bad that my father decided to take us for Umra and a month stay in Makkah. We took the car from Jeddah, and had to stop by a checkpoint on the road. The officer in charge asked us for IDs. I thought we were in for trouble and wouldn't blame him if he showed anger, suspicion or hate. The whole family hold its breath for seconds that felt like ages. “My father presented our documents and said we were Iraqis. The officer smiled sympathetically, returned the papers with grace, and waved us saying ‘Welcome brother, you come from a great country and true Arab and good Muslim people. Pray for us all!' “Imagine our relief and happiness. The officer's words alone changed our whole atmosphere. I prayed for him, his parents, society, teachers and superiors who raised and taught him to be so noble and kind. I still do!” Estabraq's shows us the other side of picture. Her hero presents the model we should all follow in our treatment of guest workers. Here's your comments, dear readers, on my last article “Guest workers treatment: What a shame!” Ashamed! “Forget about the Ministry of Labor and human-rights organizations! It is a hopeless case. I really feel ashamed, as a Saudi, when I see these laborers in the streets, under very harsh and severe working and living conditions. Those responsible should be forced to work and live under the same conditions to realize how fortunate they are!” T. Tawfiq Pathetic! “Several important social issues have been published in Saudi Gazette. Its writers certainly pay their share for the welfare of society by supporting abused guest workers. They are human beings with homes and families, needs and longings, just like us. Let's pray for them. We should also distribute food and charities to those hard workers, who are part of our society.” Maria Khan Seeing is believing “Seeing is believing, so pictures of such conditions need to be released in the media, and companies need to be named and shamed.” Khan Minimum wage “Labor Ministry should take necessary actions to help out these poor but essential workers. SR1,000 a month should be the minimum.” Mirza Nasrullah Baig Nightmares “For the many years I have been here, I have witnessed things that most would only see in nightmares. Muslims should be the best when it comes to humans rights. Sadly, that is not the case.” Donald D. Blind eye! “Labor ministry knows all this but turns a blind eye. My Western friends here are unable to understand how can fellow Muslims do this to their Muslim brothers?” Hafiz Muhammad Waqas Justice “I used to take extra juice cartons on my way to school to give them.” Abhimanue Raju Salaries “I am one of them. Our salaries are always late and increased SR100 every 3 years. We live in bad accommodation far from city with no clean water. Help us!” M. Wajid Guest workers? “And you call them guest workers? On an individual case, it could occur, but thousands of workers are living in sub-human conditions!” Bash Gul About labor “Many Saudis start businesses without real business, and collect monthly fees from them to work on their own. Authorities should investigate.” Abdul Kayoum TV show “I suggest you consider doing a television program on social issues and solutions.” Faith777 Generation “Unfortunately, this ties into the mentality (started to surface in the 80s), where many treat an alien resident unfairly. When an entire generation is raised observing this attitude, it should be no surprise how the poor replaceable janitorial staff would be treated.” Oi Education “People should be educated about Labor Law and its consequences. The difference between a Saudi and non-Saudi must be abolished. I require my patients to follow hospital rules, some refuse and simply announce ‘I am Saudi'!!” Dr. Nathan Compassionate King “You forgot to mention the ill treatment, insults and physical abuses these poor workers endure. Such treatment tarnishes the image of the Kingdom of Humanity. The widely respected Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques is deservedly regarded as the Compassionate King. It is, therefore, imperative upon the Saudi authorities to take strong notice of these issues.” Faiz Al-Najdi — Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi can be reached at [email protected] and followed at twitter: @kbatarfi
