Is Saudi safe?
I'm looking for information from anyone who is currently living in Saudi (especially Riyadh). My brother is going back there after his apartment was blown up in May. I'm more than a bit concerned about him (his daughter ended up in hospital after the explosion).
How safe is it, really? |
Re: Is Saudi safe?
Originally posted by dunroving I'm looking for information from anyone who is currently living in Saudi (especially Riyadh). My brother is going back there after his apartment was blown up in May. I'm more than a bit concerned about him (his daughter ended up in hospital after the explosion). How safe is it, really? |
Re: Is Saudi safe?
Originally posted by Pulaski Your brother's apartment was blown up and his daughter hospitalized ...... haven't you answered your own question! :confused: Hundreds of people have been blown up in N. Ireland in the past 40 years. When I lived in Birmingham, my local pub was blown up by the IRA, killing people I knew. So, is it a rhetorical question to ask how safe NY is? Belfast? Birmingham? My brother just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time (i.e., his was one of dozens of expat compounds). I was looking for some helpful advice from people who live in Saudi or know the situation there, as to what changes have been made security-wise since then, and whether it is any safer than before. Hopefully the nature of my question is clearer now. If you are still confused, let me know what other information you need. |
Re: Is Saudi safe?
Originally posted by dunroving My brother just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time (i.e., his was one of dozens of expat compounds). I was looking for some helpful advice from people who live in Saudi or know the situation there, as to what changes have been made security-wise since then, and whether it is any safer than before. |
Re: Is Saudi safe?
In a nutshell, Saudi is one of the safest countries I have ever lived in (I have been resident in the USA, Canada, England, Scotland, Saudi Arabia, Sultanate of Oman and Pakistan).
Saudis place more emphasis on security in their country than most Western countries do (or can). Saudi was also one of the closest allies the West had in the region. Westerners living there enjoyed a very high standard of life. More often than not, the plus points of living in Saudi far outweighed the minus points. An example: While in Riyadh in 1996, I was coming out of the Saudi American Bank with a friend who had recently moved to Saudi from London. A Saudi gentleman a few paces ahead of us was holding stacks of currency between his hands. He was so encumbered with the money he was holding that he could not open the doors unassisted. I helped him with the doors and, having thanked me he happily walked to his car 30 paces down the curb, put all the stacks on the roof of the car and started fidgeting for his keys. After he had found his keys, put his money away and drove off, my friend let out a huge sigh of relief. "That guy wouldn't have lasted 10 seconds in London!� he said. Here we were, having made our withdrawals, carefully putting our money and wallets away in our pockets and, even then, warily walking to our cars. And here the Saudi was, carefree of any imagined danger. Having said that, the tragedies of 9/11 in NYC have caused turmoil in Saudi Arabia. The reaction of the US has alienated and offended the Saudis. Despite this, the Saudi government and officials are trying to maintain the privileged life styles so many Westerners (especially Americans and Brits), have enjoyed in their country. However, there is now an increased hostility towards Westerners among some Saudis. I agree that living in exclusive Western compounds offers more of a target than protection. Most white Europeans and North Americans are now keeping low profiles whilst in Saudi. That is to say, an increased effort to understand and follow local customs so as to not inadvertently offend Saudis. Saudi is now not what it was pre- 9/11. There is still a risk in being in the wrong place at the wrong time and people who can easily be identified as Westerners from appearance should exercise more caution than they used to. It is not impossible to be a Westerner and live safely in Saudi. However, given the present (hopefully temporary) hostile climate, more Westerners will be trying to either stay away if they can, or not congregate in large, obvious groups. I would also register and maintain close ties with my embassy whilst in Saudi. I seem to have gone on longer than I had planned. I hope that there is something here that is of use to you and not just a tiresome rant. |
Re: Is Saudi safe?
Originally posted by Oms I seem to have gone on longer than I had planned. I hope that there is something here that is of use to you and not just a tiresome rant. |
Re: Is Saudi safe?
Originally posted by dunroving I'm looking for information from anyone who is currently living in Saudi (especially Riyadh). My brother is going back there after his apartment was blown up in May. I'm more than a bit concerned about him (his daughter ended up in hospital after the explosion). How safe is it, really? Best wishes John |
Re: Is Saudi safe?
Originally posted by dunroving I'm looking for information from anyone who is currently living in Saudi (especially Riyadh). My brother is going back there after his apartment was blown up in May. I'm more than a bit concerned about him (his daughter ended up in hospital after the explosion). How safe is it, really? Oh yes, there have been a handful of so called terrorist actions but in a country this size, they must be seen in perspective. More bombings have happened in London through the IRA, in Israel, in Palestine, in Lebanon, in Spain through ETA, etc. More psycopathic tragedies have happened in the States, killing more people than all the incidents in Saudi Arabia put together. Propaganda against the Saudis is gaining momentum but that is all. Their security forces are doing an amazing job. I can only speak for Jeddah mind you but here's another thought. DId you ever hear about the guy who escaped the war in Lebanon in 1980. He fled to Paris, smugly sure that he had found a way around his destiny. He died crossing the road later than week. |
i'v been there for 2.5 years
yes its safe, dont warry about anything what hapend before will not hapen again. im sure |
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