A disturbing encounter with the Hai’a in Madina

by Ramon Mohamed, Riyadh
For the Saudi Gazette
Last Thursday I went with my Saudi wife to the Riyadh International Book Fair. I moved to Riyadh from the UK three years ago and each year I have visited the book fair. My wife is an Assistant Professor and I am a teacher. We both agreed that the fair has improved in its content of books that promote a more multicultural understanding of Saudi society and the wider global community.

It was great to see men, women and families attending the event who have a thirst for reading and learning.

The only sour point for me was the few incidents I saw in which members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (the Hai’a) behaved badly and disrupted the event. I have read of other incidents written in this newspaper and I have experienced one of my own.

I came across the Hai’a personally a few weeks ago on my first ever visit to Madina with my wife. My wife and I went in by separate entrances to pray in the Prophet’s Mosque. After prayer I had arranged to meet my wife outside the ladies entrance. When I arrived she was very upset and surrounded by members of the Hai’a and a couple of ladies who supervise inside of the mosque.

My wife is very petite and she was surrounded by three very large, long bearded Hai’a staffers. She was being accused of being a “troublemaker” and of “causing trouble”! What this “trouble” was had not been made clear.

I started to speak to my wife and tried to walk her away from the bullying Hai’a staff, but they physically grabbed hold of me. I know little Arabic to remonstrate with them and tried to release myself. My wife tried to translate but they showed her little respect. By this time my wife was very upset and what is worse is that these so-called Religious Police were behaving more like vigilantes in such a holy place. We were then accused of not being married. By this time a group of onlookers watched as my wife tried to explain our relationship.

More Hai’a staff arrived and this was becoming ridiculous. We are not teenagers but mature professional people who had arrived only a few hours earlier on a flight from Riyadh to Madina.

The Hai’a members then started to shout angrily asking for our marriage certificate. Luckily I had put the certificate in my suitcase so that I could show it at the hotel reception should they need it.

They demanded to see our iqamas. As we had only just been married a few months before I had not registered the marriage on my iqama and because I am a foreigner married to a Saudi I was told that I could not register the marriage on my iqama. We tried to explain this to them but they refused to listen to any rational explanation.

My wife explained to the aggressive Hai’a staffers that I would go and get the marriage certificate, which was a few kilometers away in our hotel room. However, they kept hold of me and demanded that my tearful wife walk to the hotel. Here we were outside the Prophet’s Mosque and were being treated so shamelessly by a bunch of thugs.

The Hai’a staff members during this time made several attempts to drag me into one of their security cars which I constantly resisted as I was innocent of all the things they were stupidly accusing me and my wife of.

My wife returned still in tears an hour later with the marriage certificate. The Hai’a staffers inspected the certificate and found that we were telling the truth.

They passed back our marriage certificate. Gave not one word of apology not even an explanation of the so-called “trouble” my wife had caused. They got back into their security cars and drove away!

Unbelievable is all I can say in the way they treated “guests” at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madina.

As a postscript to all of this, my wife and I were on our way to Yanbu via Medina to announce to her parents that she was pregnant and expecting our first child. God forbid if he/she turns out to be one of those unintelligent beings who are given the highest responsibility to “protect” the people visiting the holy mosque.

France pursues Saudi princess over €6m bill - DISGUSTING........

Authorities in Paris are to seize assets belonging to a Saudi princess to help cover the cost of an eye-watering €6 million bill she left behind on a recent, no-expense spared visit to the French capital.

A judge in Nanterre, near Paris, on Wednesday ordered the seizure of three storage units owned by Maha Al-Sudairi, so that their lavish contents can be sold to pay the staggering €1 million-a-month bill the Saudi princess left behind on her last trip to Paris, French daily Le Parisien reported.

Al-Sudairi, the former wife of the late Saudi crown prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, checked into the ‘palace’ hotel Le Shangri-La in Paris in December 2011, with her 60 attendants and assistants.

By the time she left, in June 2012, Al-Sudairi had managed to rack up the barely believable total of €6 million in unpaid bills for expensive meals, jewelry, and a luxury limo service.

The princess started by renting out the entire seventh floor of the Shangri-La in the exclusive 16th arrondissement of Paris, for her personal entourage, and hired the luxury services company 'Cinquieme Etoile' ('Fifth Star') to take care of their daily meals, provide chauffeur-driven cars and a security detail, and take care of Al-Sudairi's dirty linens.

“Every day we had about 30 cars at the ready for her and those who accompanied her,” the director of Cinquieme Etoile was quoted as saying in French daily Le Parisien. “We are still awaiting payment,” added the company's boss.

That payment was estimated to amount to €1.5 million.

The day after her husband's death on June 16th, 2012, Al-Sudairi and her people attempted an audacious night flight, but were caught by staff loading limos with luggage outside the hotel.

As a member of the Saudi royal family, Al-Sudairi – who has since returned to Saudi Arabia – is protected against prosecution by her diplomatic immunity.

However, the court in Nanterre on Wednesday agreed that the contents of three lock-ups in the French capital be seized, and put towards paying the bill for Cinquieme Etoile, along with five other companies.

Authorities are hoping there will be enough to cover the bill, with the boxes believed to contain luxury leather goods, artworks, jewelery, and clothing with an estimated worth of €10-12 million.

However, the director of Cinquieme Etoile is not holding his breath. “As far the process of getting paid goes – it's going to be long, very long,” he was quoted as saying in Le Parisien.

“We'll have to take international legal action, before the items are appraised, and then sold at auction,” said the company's director.

Dan MacGuill (dan.macguill@thelocal.com)

Source:
http://www.thelocal.fr/page/view/saudi-princess-pursued-for-6m-bill-on-paris-trip#.UTssJVdmPOp

Boob smackers or Eye flirters

 

           http://www.clickrally.com/saudi-women-right-to-vote-first-time/ - Picture

"Phew.....Saudi women are dangerous" he muttered to himself whilst making his way through the main entrance of the pharmacy. Mr. H is a tall, broad shouldered man with an extremely high level of intelligence. He also happened to be my witty colleague and partner in crime during our night shift duty at the hospital.

" Excuse me, why do you think that Saudi women are dangerous.Any woman can be a femme fatale if she wishes to be one." I remarked.
' Well, I just got sandwiched in between two boob smackers in the lift" He continued with a huge grin on his face. According to Mr. H Saudi women can be divided into four categories:

1. Category one: The Ultra conservative Saudi woman.

This is a Saudi woman that is fully covered from head to toe in a huge over sized jilbaab. Gloves and socks usually complete the attire. In many instances the eyes are also not fully exposed....The woman would most probably be married to an extremely religious man as well.

2. Category two: The Boob/ Ass smackers

These are usually voluptuous full figured Saudi women adorned in tight fitting abayas naturally exposing all the curves... These women prefer to walk with their bosoms out to tempt desperate Saudi men or let's just say men in general.

3. Category three: The eye flirters

These are women who are adorned in abayas with a face veil but make sure that they leave theirs home with elaborate, striking eye make up. These women painstakingly go to great lengths to make sure that their eyes look super sexy and gorgeous with eye shadow, eye liner,fake eye lashes and of course coloured contact lenses . Some of these women call in a professional make up artist to their homes even on a normal week day prior to going out shopping at a mall or frequenting a restaurant with friends. I guess its a case of ' let the eyes do the talking'

4. Category four: The frustrated young housewife

This is usually a Saudi woman who is in a polygamous relationship and thus shares her husband with two or three other women.She is also most probably the newest addition to hubby's collection of wives lol. She is smart and trendy and makes sure that her wealthy hubby spoils her with designer wear. Since she hardly spends much time with mister, she chooses to look for fun else where, a case of " when the cats away the mice will play." This type of woman will be out frequenting hotels, coffee shops,hospitals and malls trying to seek pleasure and satisfaction from a young Saudi male who is more or less in the same age category as her.

Well, there you have it folks; a non- Saudi male's perception of Saudi women. I must admit I was laughing myself into stitches as he babbled along jovially trying to explain each category to me...
Oh well, working with such fun individuals always made the night shift a less painful experience. As the saying goes, ' Time flies when you're having fun.'

Uganda, The Pearl of Africa- Update 1

International cricket match referee Devdas Govindjee gives us an update on his current experience in Uganda where the ICC Africa division 1 T20 World Cup Qualifying tournament is being held. The participating countries in the tournament are Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria and Botswana. I am always happy and delighted to receive updates from him as his emails are so vivid and descriptive that I feel as though I am going through all his experiences myself. Many of my blog readers feel very much the same way. I would also like to take the opportunity in thanking Mr. Govindjee for allowing me to share his priceless and beautiful photos with my blog readers.

Greetings on a balmy Central African evening from the Hotel Africana in Kampala Uganda - after the beauty of the Western Cape where I had been since 16 January it was a tired and almost homesick soul that boarded SA 160 out of Johannesburg on Friday heading out on my very first excursion to this country.

The 4 hour flight rejuvenated me and with a time change of 1 hour found myself thinking that I was landing at some coastal city - that is the extent to which the nearby Lake Victoria's vastness influences the approaching landscape- the Entebbe International airport is on the shores of Lake Victoria.

The mind flashed back to 1976 as our flight approached Entebbe International airport - the news that made World headlines when an Air France flight out of Tel Aviv bound for Paris was hijacked and landed at Entebbe -before you could say Uganda the Israeli Commandoes rescued the hostages in what was then called Operation Entebbe!

Lets move forward from that short history lesson  - the 40 kms or so drive from the airport took about 80mins and what fascinated me that almost all the way along the roadsides there were some or other businesses being operated- it was early evening and dim lights created an almost surreal effect with the motor cars and buses jostling for prime road space with much competition from hundreds of motor cycles that also serve as taxis for those commuting shorter distances - the locals refer to them as Boda Bodas and naturally they zig-zag their way through traffic.

I finally reached the Hotel Africana in Kampala around 9.30 pm local time and managed a late supper at a nearby Nakumatt food court.

In case you are wondering- I am in Uganda to officiate for the ICC via their Africa Cricket Association  (ACA) at the 2013 Pepsi ICC Africa Cricket World Cup Qualifier (CWCQ) division 1 with the participating countries being the hosts Uganda as well as Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana and Nigeria.

After a wonderful sleep in a very spacious room it was immediately down to business after breakfast on Sat morning as the tournament got under way- two venues being used - Lugogo and Kyambogo- fortunately both not too far from the hotel and about a 10 mins drive from each other.

Having not been able to come in as per our usual 2 days before any tournament there had been no time to conduct ground inspections etc but on visiting both venues on match day 1 it was encouraging to note that they met with required standards and everything that was needed to be done had been attended to by the local organisers.

The ICC's efforts to globalize cricket is certainly paying dividends as I sat watching play in the afternoon at Lugogo to see the very big turnout of supporters as well as their clear understanding of the game as reflected in the applause for good fielding or good batting etc. 

I felt once again that humbling gut feeling reminding me how privileged it actually was for me to be able to visit these grounds where cricket was being played - a long long way from my first games in the streets of downtown Port Elizabeth where the good old dustbin served as the wickets and words such as turf pitches or reverse sweep did not form part of our cricketing vocab! 

I walked around the field and bumped into a well dressed elegant lady who seemed a bit out of her comfort zone- she enquired from me as to where she could meet the officials of the Botswana team and introduced herself as the Hon. consular based at the embassy in Kampala - she also informed me that she had never ever been to a cricket match and did not have a clue as to what it was all about - hopefully after her day with the team officials she would have left knowing exactly what was meant by " one slip and two fine legs"  ! ( cricketing terms to the uninitiated of course!!)

The atmosphere at both venues was excellent with the sponsors providing hospitality areas with appropriate banners and signage as well as some dancers who provided some entertainment with moves to the music which was well controlled by the djs.

The standard of cricket played was good and the intensity shown reflected well on the competitiveness of the event with much at stake for the 2 teams that finish at the top of the table after the completion of two round robin matches.

Last night the officials of Kenya cricket ( now headed by the first ever Woman president of a national cricket body - Jackie Janmohammed) together with the RDM ( Regional Development Manager) -ICC-Africa Mr Cassim Suliman invited me out for supper- we went to a delightful Indian restaurant called Khana Khazana - ambiance was good with superb food and patronized by locals and foreigners once again bringing the message clearly across that parts of Africa will always attract the tourist!

I have rambled way beyond the intended short update and introduction to Uganda- that happens when one has had a 2 hour mid-afternoon nap and now at 11.15 still feels fresh enough to continue typing away!

The tournament continues tomorrow with another full day's programme of first round matches - 2 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon at the respective veneus.

The 2nd round matches ( each team playing the otehr twice during the week) starts on Tue and the final matches will be played on Fri morning with the presentation function that evening and I then fly out on Saturday the 2nd March.

If you actually stopped reading some paragraphs ago and then just scrolled to the end I shall not hold it against you!!!!

Until my next update- which will probably be before my departure I say take care - all pics on fb for the fb follower - stunning sunrises grabbing my attention the past two mornings! - all the best 

Dev

 The sight that greeted me on day one from my balcony at the Hotel Africana in Kampala Uganda.

 

                                 

 Day 1 like most of my days anywehre in the world has to start with a swim- no different at the Hotel Africana in Kampala.
 

 

 The RDM ICC Africa Cricket Assoc Mr Cassim Suliman together with the umpires officiating at the tournament in Kampala. Back: Rocky De Mellow, Munir Khan,Patrick Makumbi,Claude Thornburn. Front Johnny Gomez , and David Odhiambo

 

 A sight that warms the heart- little kids take to the field during the break to enjoy some cricket while groundstaff work on the pitch in the background
 

 

Monday morning's drive from the Hotel Africana to the Lugogo Cricket ground. along the way these "trunks" - am told they are very popular and come in all sorts of sizes- bought for pupils and students in boarding schools or hostels at universities.

 

Green Lush and Fertile - The Pearl of Africa. Uganda

 

 No wonder the boda bodas are so popular- weaving their way through early morning traffic a much better option than being stuck in it!

 

Loading the truck- Bananas are abundant in Uganda with the Matoke being a staple diet.

 

 Getting spoilt at Kyambogo - enjoying a plate sized Chappati! Indian food is a way of life for many Ugandans.

 

 More action from the Uganda (batting) vs Nigeria match at Kyambogo ( pronounced Chyam bogo!)