What I do not understand is that as Muslims we are to be clean, perform wudu before prayers and keep our homes and prayer areas clean. Yet here in the holy city of Madinah where the mosque and grave of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) are located, I see people throwing trash on the ground as if it is okay to desecrate this holy city with dirt and trash everywhere. Yet these people perform wudu before prayer. Tell me please how Prophet Muhammad would feel if he were to see this holy city today. How would he react to seeing brothers and sisters throwing trash on the streets and anywhere else including on the grounds of the mosque? Mary Asy There a people from many countries who come here. They are visitors, and if someone tells them to behave, they may become angry. Saudis may be blamed for what these visitors do. Rana Qaiser Fayyaz I see both visitors and Saudis do this. I live here and I see it every time I am out and I feel so sad to see such a beautiful holy city being mistreated in this way. There seems to be an idea that it is okay to eat something and just throw the trash on the ground. Even people in cars who don't want trash in their vehicles think that it is okay to litter the city. This is not acceptable. Mary Asy I live in Florida where there are three types of foreign guests: The ones who go to school here, the ones who visit because of Disney and Sea World, and some that work here in medical or technology jobs. I find that the students can be a mix of either very well-behaved or very rude. The tourists are varied too. The more permanent ones know the local rules and just blend in. As for barbecues in parks, most parks and beaches here allow that. However, they frown on catching ducks and cooking them. Smoking is never allowed in public areas where children play. They do have hookah establishments throughout most towns and it's always a good place to mingle with others who enjoy this practice. As far as fast, flashy cars are concerned, let's just say our own youth are guilty too, and most people who complain about the fact that it's a flashy car are just upset that they can't afford one themselves. Loud music is everywhere. I find that most Saudis are polite. I think the younger ones are just overwhelmed by a new freedom and some forget to hold true to their culture. My own personal experience has been that if I see something that's not right, I politely and calmly engage them in conversation to point out what they may not know. Some people here would rather just complain and accuse others. Instead they should just say excuse me, but maybe you don't know you can't do that here or please can you not speed up and down my road I have small children who play here. Most people are very willing to apologize and not do it again . There is always a diplomatic way to deal with things. If it is a student, you look for a person who is the student liaison. If it is a community-based person and you get nowhere talking to them, you can seek out their place of worship and speak to the person who runs it to intervene. Most are very willing to help. And if it's just a passing tourist, mention the problem to them and if they are true Muslims, they will look within themselves and make it right. Trashing the reputation of an entire culture or religion based on the actions of a few makes you no better than the person you complain about. Sussanne Cherrie
