Hi
@war&peace .
Thank you for the link. It is indeed a very nice article.
Initially, when you sent me the link of this article, I thought that the article would contain criticism on Pakistan. This is the reason why, I wanted to wait till weekend, and get myself free from everything to respond to the criticisms raised in the article. But when I read it, it seemed to me and other Pakistanis, a refreshing piece of writing, and probably have come as a shocker for some (our neighbors).
There is nothing much to write as we Pakistanis know more good things about our country than stated by the writer in this article. However, I would like to mention my family's experiences, having been spent many years in this region.
I would like to start off by mentioning an incident I saw a few weeks back on Sharjah/ Dubai Highway. Anyone who has visited UAE would know that Shiekh Zayed Road that connects Dubai and Sharjah, has six lanes with a maximum allowed limit of 120 kms/ hour. It was a holiday and I was visiting some of my friends, who live in Sharjah. They live in the buildings on Sheikh Zayed Road. We were standing on the service road at around 1:00 am having tea at one of the cafeteria under one of the building. In front of us, was this road. The traffic was light because of early morning hours, but not that light which could enable us to cross the highway.
Anyway, long story short, another Pakistani father was also standing in front of another shop with his 2 years old child. Nobody, including his father, realized that the son suddenly ran towards the highway and by the time the father, or anyone else could notice, the child crossed the service road, and ran towards the fastest lane of the Sheikh Zayed Road. Suddenly we heard the scream of father and screeches of cars to avoid the child. The cars were avoiding the child (who was standing on the fastest lane) by abrupt maneuvering. Father ran towards the highway himself but was stopped by other people because people didn't want him to lose his life with his child who was about to die.
Suddenly, we saw a big Yukon, which changed its lane from second to the fastest, some 50 meters away, we thought those were the last moment as other cars were avoiding the fastest lane but that car was entering he in it instead of avoiding.. The guy suddenly drifted and stopped the car in vertical position blocking the two lanes. He was facing the incoming traffic, but thanks to Allah, the other cars stopped with huge noises of screeching, he jumped out of his car, then jumped over his car's bonnet to reach the child, took him in his arms and stood on the edge of the road.. Some of the people started stopping the last lane cars so that he could cross the road.. He crossed, handed over the child to his father (who was crying and weeping, not just him but others were crying too), immediately turned, entered his car, and drove away.. I couldn't hear what he said to the child's father (might be to thank Allah).
He was a Saudi, driving a Saudi number car.
Objective of narrating this story is that some people think that Saudis are heartless people and don't care about other people. These people call Saudis racists. While calling them racists, they forget the racism in their own countries.
My father has spent 22 years of his life in KSA. He still has some Saudi friends. I have heard a few bad incidents, but I have heard more good things. I have seen young Saudi boys with trolleys full of Iftari boxes standing on traffic signals, handing over the boxes to people/ cars passing by. While handing these boxes, they don't ask the nationality, or even the religion (I have seen Hindu labors getting those boxes containing food, juices and milk enough for 2 people).
Some people say that older generation of Saudis was much better, but I can tell you, I made a few friends before my transfer to UAE, they used to have extremely good views about Pakistan and Pakistanis. In Riyadh, I have seen PAF pilots crossing the road in their uniforms and entering the restaurants while Saudi people waving at them. Almost every Saudi knows that PAF and PA are there to save Harmain.
But, I have seen a few Saudis who are racists.. But should I start calling everyone racists because of a few rotten eggs? If this is the case, then we should call ourselves father of racism who still prefer to make relationships based on the mother tongue in our own country Pakistan.. I have seen bad Kafeels, who have snatched businesses from people, but I have seen good Kafeels, who would pay for the things purchased from the shops under their Kafalat.
Most of the Saudis are simple people. They pray five times, they are kind, caring etc.. Good and bad people are everywhere. Saudis are no exception.
@war&peace