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-   -   Racism (https://britishexpats.com/forum/sand-pit-116/racism-683125/)

tieresias Aug 28th 2010 3:44 pm

Racism
 
It turns out that my predecessor at the job I'll soon start in Riyadh is a British Asian Muslim.

When he was appointed, people at HQ in the UK thought he would fit in.

However, it seems that the local dislike of "Paki's" overcomes their common religion and so he and his wife have decided to call it a day and come home.

I've never been to KSA but I have travelled quite widely around other Arab countries and, personally (white man), I've always been treated kindly and hospitably. (Well, except the time when one man decided to start feeling my bottom...)

So, is racism in KSA particularly ugly?

Oyibopeppeh Aug 28th 2010 4:18 pm

Re: Racism
 
Racism is endemic throughout the Arab world, IMO.

My wife is a very attractive Nigerian lady - In Libya (where there are thousands of illegal black Africans), she was taunted, verbally abused, had water and coffee thrown at her, and spat at, by Libyan Arabs.

The UAE is somewhat better, probably because the Arab population are in the minority and are generally seem higher up the food chain than the Libyans and seem to have more respect.

It's the subcontinentals in the UAE who crack us up....even those who have a darker skin than Mrs Oyiobo stare at her with their tongues falling to their feet :huh:

Millhouse Aug 28th 2010 4:35 pm

Re: Racism
 

Originally Posted by tieresias (Post 8809555)
(white man), I've always been treated kindly and hospitably.

So, is racism in KSA particularly ugly?

You answered your own question. Yes, it's awful.

littlejimmy Aug 28th 2010 5:37 pm

Re: Racism
 

Originally Posted by Oyibopeppeh (Post 8809616)
Racism is endemic throughout the Arab world, IMO.

My wife is a very attractive Nigerian lady - In Libya (where there are thousands of illegal black Africans), she was taunted, verbally abused, had water and coffee thrown at her, and spat at, by Libyan Arabs.

The UAE is somewhat better, probably because the Arab population are in the minority and are generally seem higher up the food chain than the Libyans and seem to have more respect.

It's the subcontinentals in the UAE who crack us up....even those who have a darker skin than Mrs Oyiobo stare at her with their tongues falling to their feet :huh:

That surprises me. I just spent 6 months in Libya and thought they were friendly...more friendly than Gulf Arabs without a doubt. Still, I am not from sub-Saharan Africa, so probably had a somewhat sheltered life there!

tieresias Aug 28th 2010 5:43 pm

Re: Racism
 

Originally Posted by EmiratesMillhouse (Post 8809651)
Yes, it's awful.

Lovely...

Oyibopeppeh Aug 28th 2010 5:55 pm

Re: Racism
 

Originally Posted by littlejimmy (Post 8809724)
That surprises me. I just spent 6 months in Libya and thought they were friendly...more friendly than Gulf Arabs without a doubt. Still, I am not from sub-Saharan Africa, so probably had a somewhat sheltered life there!


Libyans with expat guys are fine, very friendly. Sometimes too friendly :eek:

tieresias Aug 28th 2010 6:29 pm

Re: Racism
 

Originally Posted by Oyibopeppeh (Post 8809753)
Sometimes too friendly :eek:

Yup, that's the only problem I ever had. Mind, I was 19 at the time and I'm sure all my "added experience" since then will ensure it never happens again!

Thought that sort of thing was punishable by death?

seven seas Aug 28th 2010 6:39 pm

Re: Racism
 

Originally Posted by tieresias (Post 8809555)
(Well, except the time when one man decided to start feeling my bottom...)

Sorry, I thought everyone else did it...

lionheart Aug 29th 2010 4:40 am

Re: Racism
 
From my 8yrs experience of the Dark Side, there appears to be a ladder of respect in KSA. At the very top are white Saudis, then dark Saudis (mostly from western coast), then Emiratis, white Americans, Scandinavians/German, Japanese, British/Irish, other westerners, other Middle Easterners, Koreans/ Chinese, Africans and finally Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis. In some parts of the KSA, Yemenis also rank near the bottom.

spart Aug 29th 2010 11:08 am

Re: Racism
 

Originally Posted by lionheart (Post 8810235)
From my 8yrs experience of the Dark Side, there appears to be a ladder of respect in KSA. At the very top are white Saudis, then dark Saudis (mostly from western coast), then Emiratis, white Americans, Scandinavians/German, Japanese, British/Irish, other westerners, other Middle Easterners, Koreans/ Chinese, Africans and finally Maoris, Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis. In some parts of the KSA, Yemenis also rank near the bottom.

Yep. Made to feel like a chai wallah....not a highly experienced and specialised engineer.

Romulan Aug 29th 2010 4:58 pm

Re: Racism
 
That would be patently false.

http://sheikyermami.com/wp-content/u...kh-kalbani.jpg

Sheik Kalbani, the Imam of the Kaba in Mecca is a blackman (not even Arab black, African black).

http://www.nndb.com/people/680/00004...nce-bandar.jpg

Prince Bandar Bin Sultan, a very influential member of the Saudi Royal Family was born to an Ethiopian mom.

http://www.kuwaittimes.net/upload/im...20saad%205.JPG
http://www.248am.com/images/sheikhsaad.jpg

And lastly, Sheik Saad of Kuwait (who was Emir) was also black. While Kuwait isn't Saudi, they are very close and share similar cultures.

The false accusation that Arabs are racist against Blacks or Asians is simply absurd. While some Arabs may have racist tendencies, to condemn the whole culture is simply shameful. In fact, it is the Asians who are the racist ones trying to import their caste culture to Arabia.

MataHari Aug 29th 2010 5:22 pm

Re: Racism
 

Originally Posted by Romulan (Post 8811337)
The false accusation that Arabs are racist against Blacks or Asians is simply absurd. While some Arabs may have racist tendencies, to condemn the whole culture is simply shameful. In fact, it is the Asians who are the racist ones trying to import their caste culture to Arabia.

but apparently it's ok to say all Gulf women are ugly...

littlejimmy Aug 29th 2010 5:43 pm

Re: Racism
 

Originally Posted by MataHari (Post 8811381)
but apparently it's ok to say all Gulf women are ugly...

how can you tell?

MataHari Aug 29th 2010 5:48 pm

Re: Racism
 

Originally Posted by littlejimmy (Post 8811423)
how can you tell?

Romulan taught me...

tieresias Aug 29th 2010 5:49 pm

Re: Racism
 

Originally Posted by MataHari (Post 8811381)
but apparently it's ok to say all Gulf women are ugly...


Echt waar?

Is that the real reason they cover their faces?


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