التقى مندوب تنظيم القاعدة مع المشايخ عبدالرحمن البراك، يوسف الأحمد، محمد الهبدان ،ومحمد فراج، ومع طالب صالح الفوزان والذي قال له:” الفوزان كان خائفا بشدة من أسرة آل سعود” …. علاقة التيارالسلفي في المملكة مع القاعدة خطرة جداً، ولابد اخذ الحذر… للمزيد, اقراء رابط الوثائق المنسوبة للقاعده

Since the large influx of Saudi students coming to the UK (due the Kings scholarship programme), I have noticed a very bad habit emerging in the streets predominantly from Saudi’s and other Muslims. Very commonly, I notice Saudi men walking a few steps in front of their wives, sisters, and daughters when they decide to take a stroll! What I want to ask you, “What does that body language tell other people about Muslims and how they treat women?”

Personally, I really find it disgusting when I see this, I think it’s backwards and makes me feel ashamed to be associated with people who behave this way!

For those who excuse such behaviour and put it down to traditions and customs, well so was burying young girls alive at birth, and we got rid of that barbaric behaviour, so lets get rid of ALL sexist attitudes!

I do not understand why even some educated women accept it? This is wrong! It degrades women’s identity, and this is why people think Muslim women have no rights in Islam.

It amazes me when I see men in 2012 that think women landed on this planet via parachutes!

ارجعي ورا يا مره

بعد تدفق الأعداد الكبيرة من الطلبه السعوديين القادمين إلى بريطانيا (بسبب البعثات)، بدأت ألحظ عادةً سيئة في الشوارع من الإخوة المسلمين عامة، والإخوة .السعوديين خاصةً. لاحظت أن الرجل السعودي يمشي عدة خطوات أمام زوجته، وأخته، وابنته عندما يقرر أن يخرج من بيته

لكن لديّ سؤال “ماذا تعني لغة الجسد هذه لغير المسلمين؟”

شخصياً، عندما أرى هذا المنظر أحس بالاشمئزاز، ويجعلني أشعر بالخجل لارتباطي مع هؤلاء الاشخاص الذين يتصرفون بهذه الطريقة!. لأني لا أرى أي عذر لهذه التصرفات!

بالنسبة لأولئك الذين يبررون هذا السلوك والسلوكيات المشابهة له و ينسبونها إلى العادات والتقاليد: هذا ليس عذراً؛ فلقد كنا ندفن الفتيات عند الولادة أيضاً،

وتخلصنا من هذا السلوك الجاهلي، إذاً يمكننا التخلص من هذه العادة السيئة!.

هذا السلوك هو من ضمن الأسباب الرئيسية التي تجعل الناس يعتقدون أن النساء المسلمات ليس لديهن حقوق في الإسلام.

Since English is a language that is infused with culture, it is difficult to teach English learners exactly how to address people. Non-English native speakers often feel confused about how to address people properly, which make native English people awkward. But this isn’t why I’m writing this post, it’s because of a complex I notice in Arabs genrally, and in Saudi’s particularly – how they like to be addressed, at home and abroad!

Hello, I’m Dr. folaan!… OR Hi, my name is Engineer Olan! I think you see where I’m going with this…

I’ve lived in England for over 25 years, I did an Engineering degree and almost completed my PhD, so I’m more likely than most to meet Engineers and Dr’s in my every day life – and in all my time abroad, I have yet to meet a non-Arab that introduced him/her self to me with a title! What does this say about our complex for titles?

What gets under my skin is this – so many of our “religious” media personalities who obtained PhD’s from “theology” departments at Saudi universities {whom we all know very well lack academic integrity, and research skills required for world-class research hubs} insisting to be referred to as Dr. sheikh zu3tan!

Some of you might be mumbling under your breath as you read this stating “It’s about respect”, trust me – I have met some of the brightest movers and shakers this generation has to offer, not once have I heard one of them asked to be addressed by titles…

Respect is only gained by ones idea’s and thoughts, and not by what type of degree they hold or how they think people should address them!

اللغة الإنجليزية هي لغة لكنها ايظاً مليئة بالثقافة، فإنه من الصعب تعليم اللغة الإنجليزية بالضبط و خصوصاً كيفية إستخدم المصطلحات في المكان المناسب. غيرذلك، الناطقين باللغة الإنجليزية الأصلية في كثير من الأحيان في حيرة حول كيفية التعامل مع من لا يفقهون إستخدام اللغة من ناحية ثقافية. ولكن هذا ليس السبب الذي أردت أن أكتب عنه، ولكن مدخلاً لموظعي…

مرحبا، أنا الدكتور فلان! … أو مرحبا، اسمي المهندس علان!

لقد عشت في انجلترا لأكثر من 25 عاما، معي شهادة في الهندسة وقريبا سأكمل درجة الدكتوراه في العلاقات الدولية و القانون الدولي، غرضي في هذه المعلومة هو بيان الدائرة المحيطة بي، وقد أتشرفت بمعرفة الكثير من المهندسين والدكاتره في مجالات عديدة- وفي ال ٢٥ سنة و حتى الآن، لم أتعرف مع غيرعربي يعرف نفسه لي بعنوان دكتور أو مهندس! فماذا العكس صحيح في مجتمعنا؟

الذي يثيرني الكثير - هو العدد الكبير من الشخصيات ”الدينية” الاعلامية الذين حصلوا على شهادة الدكتوراه من كليات شرعية في جامعات سعودية {الذي ندرك جميعا بشكل جيد للغاية كم تفتقر من النزاهة الأكاديمية، والمهارات البحثية اللازمة لمراكز الأبحاث ذات المستوى العالمي} يصرعلى ان يشار الىه بعد تخرجه بسماحة العلامة الشيخ الدكتور زعطان!

البعض منكم قد يعلل هذه الظاهرة قائلا “انه من الاحترام”، ولكن ثق بي - لقد التقيت بعض ألمع المحركون فكرياً وانشط اساتذة العلوم هذا الجيل، وليس مرة واحدة سمعت أحدهم طلب أن يعرف به بغير إسمه فقط…

اكتساب الاحترام من قبل الأخرين لا يكون إلا فقط بالفكر النير، وليس بالظرورة نوع الدرجة الجامعية التي حصل عليها…

]]> http://saudiroot.com/2012/02/22/hey-mr-call-me-dr-engineer-please-i-have-a-ph-d/feed/ 1 Rafimous tumblr_lxu65bD8Pt1qkbeeuo1_500 http://saudiroot.com/2012/02/21/dont-point-its-rude/ http://saudiroot.com/2012/02/21/dont-point-its-rude/#comments Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:37:14 +0000 Raf http://saudiroot.com/2012/02/21/dont-point-its-rude/ Continue reading »

Recently I watched a Youtube clip of a TV pannel show on an Arab TV station, and I was shocked when the person who was supposed to represent the religious establishment started pointing his finger at the person he was debating with!

Whilst I understand that some simple gestures and non-verbal actions can mean different things in other countries/societies (or even offensive and insulting), I always grew up being told-off when I pointed my finger at someone, and rightfully so! It’s rude and bad manners!

First of all it’s authoritative and aggressive, and there is never an excuse to be aggressive or rude in a conversation – yes, even if you dont agree with the other person!

So, next time you ant to point your finger at someone, stop and think for a second, and ask your self ‘how low do I want to look?’ because frankly, when people start pointing fingers, I start loosing respect!

شاهدت مقطع على اليوتيوب منقول من قناة فضائية عربية، و انصدمت عندما شاهدت الشخص الذي كان من المفترض أن يمثل المؤسسة الدينية كان يشير بإصبعه الشخص الذي كان يتناقش معه!

أنا أفهم أن بعض اللفتات البسيطة قد تعني أشياء مختلفة في بلدان  و مجتمعات أخرى، لكن نشأتي وتربيتي علمتني أن اعاقب إذا أشرت إصبعي في وجه شخص ما! لانها سلوك سيئه!

قبل كل شيء، الاشارة تولد العدوانية، وليس هناك أي سبب أكون عدوانيا في محادثتي مع أي شخص ما - نعم، حتى لو كنت لا أتفق مع شخص آخر!

لذا، إذا أردت الإشارة بإصبعك على شخص ما، توقف و فكر للحظة، وتسأل نفسك: “كيف أريد المجتع أن ينظر لي؟”،

عندما يبدأ الناس في توجيه أصابع الاتهام، يبدأ فقدان الاحترام!

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With the Lisbon Treaty being signed by all European Union member states, the Pirate Party has gained another seat in the European Parliament. The second Pirate Party seat will be occupied by the 22 year old Amelia Andersdotter, who will become the youngest Member of the European Parliament.

Ironically, The Pirate Party was against the Lisbon Treaty, which has now doubled the number of seats the party has in the European Parliament.
Amelia Andersdotter, will become the youngest Member of the European Parliament. In order to free up time for her political career, Amelia recently decided to quit Economics and Spanish at Lund University in Sweden.

Amelia will officially take her seat in Brussels on December 1st, where she will be joining Christian Engstrom. The two will have plenty of work to do in the years to come, countering the growing influence from pro-copyright lobby groups.
Although some may argue she is far too young to take such an office, I think the fact you can have young blood and passion in such institution can only be a force of good. Lets face it, she had thousands of votes to get that seat, and for that I salute her and her ambition… next stop, Saudi politics? Ya riiight!

1. First Important Lesson – “Know The Cleaning Lady”

During my second month of University, our professor gave us a test. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: “What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?”

Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.

“Absolutely,” said the professor. “In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say “hello.”

I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy, and on many occasions Dorothy became my saviour in unlocking doors I had no access to, that I would have otherwise ended up waiting for the next day to do.

2. Second Important Lesson – “Remember Those Who Serve”

A 12 year-old boy entered a coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. “How much is an ice cream sundae?” he asked. “£4.50,” replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it.

“Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?” he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. “£3.50!” she brusquely replied.

The little boy again counted his coins. “I’ll have the plain ice cream,” he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left.

When the waitress came back, she started to look around, and you can see her eyes started to swell-up. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, was a fifty pence, two twenties and a ten pence!. You see, he couldn’t have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.

3. Third Important Lesson – “The Obstacles In Our Path”

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king’s wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand – “Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.”

4. Forth Important Lesson – “Giving When It Counts”

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to hear a story of a little girl who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year-old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. He hesitated for only a moment before taking a deep breath and said, “Yes, I’ll do it if it will save her.”

As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, “Will I start to die right away?”.

Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.

The network upgrade is made possible by the enhanced aggregation and transport features of Alcatel-Lucent’s broadband access, IP, optical and services solutions.

“Our strong presence in Saudi Arabia and our long-term history with Saudi Telecom enabled us to understand its network requirements, and work together to provide the best solution in an optimal timeframe,” said Vincenzo Nesci, Alcatel-Lucent’s Vice President for Middle East and Africa.

Today in Saudi, there is currently no statistics on how many guns exist in private hands in the Kingdom, and one reason is that some Saudi argue that need handguns to defend themselves. However, everyone knows that civilians with guns do more harm than good. Lets face it, criminals are always going to get the first shot anyway.

So what I propose is a call for a total nationwide ban on handguns! We need to move forward people, not back! Shocking news Saudi! So I ask, Won’t it be better to make guns illegal in Saudi Arabia?

Devils Advocate note: No. I don’t believe it would be better to make guns illegal because it just makes it harder for the honest people to defend themselves. Illegal or not, criminals get guns no matter what the laws are.