Saudi Arabia Q&A

[*charisma*]

Assalamu Alaikum

This is your chance to ask about anything that has to do with the country. I've lived here for a few years now, and I'm no expert by any means of course, but I've learned a lot about the life and people here. There's A LOT of misconceptions, even I had some before moving here, but it's quite different than what I expected. So if anyone is interested in knowing more about this country through my experiences, ask away!

[anatolian]

Salam. How do you regard women's contribution to socio-economic life? Good enough?

[Serinity]

:salam:

How do they view foreigners that come there? How is it to live Islam over there?

Allahu alam.

[*charisma*]

Walaikum Asalaam

Salam. How do you regard women's contribution to socio-economic life? Good enough?

Can you be more specific with your question?

Women here can contribute a lot more than they're given opportunities to in regards to jobs. The occupations that they work in are usually stereotypically female oriented such as healthcare (nurses, doctors), teachers, secretaries, etc. Though there are some exceptions. In the US, where I grew up, women are allowed to really work in whatever sector they want. They can be construction workers, waitresses, CEO's etc. I don't think women here have those opportunities, but I also don't think they would want those jobs in the first place. There are some Saudi women who own large businesses, but usually they come from rich families so they are given an advantage over the majority of other women to have such a luxury. Social media is also quite popular and helpful for the average Saudi woman. It helps them start their own businesses in that respect, especially those who work from home. For example, some do catering and they advertise themselves on social media. In regards to the economy, women are huge spenders here. They shop quite a bit. Malls are everywhere, so they try to keep up with the trends and they spend a lot (on things like fancy platters and tea sets) to entertain guests. Funnily enough, some Saudi women own cars even, but of course cannot drive them. Although they are restricted in some aspects, I find them quite spoiled for the most part. :D

:salam:

How do they view foreigners that come there? How is it to live Islam over there?

Allahu alam.

Saudis have the opportunity to study outside of Saudi for full scholarships, and many of them do. So they are exposed to other cultures through that. Many of them also travel during the summer (probably cuz it gets soo hot here). And believe it or not (I couldn't believe it!) there are sooo many foreigners, even westerners who have been living here for years and years. So I don't think its strange at all for them to be around foreigners. Although, I do think that it depends sometimes on where the foreigner is from too, and what the context of the situation is. In general though, say you're at a restaurant or something, everyone is treated the same. But if you're an employee at a private school, westerners are treated better whereas desis are considered inferior due to their accent and strict ways of teaching. Another thing is that saudis are really private. So if you come here and you don't know anyone, you might feel lonely in the beginning, especially as a single man lol. Single men live in separate neighborhoods in men-only buildings, and I think because there's a language barrier, men of the same ethnicity/nationality generally flock together.

Mashallah I really love the Islamic atmosphere here. It's not like any other islamic country. Imagine you're at a gas/petrol station, and adhan starts, so the station and all other businesses shut down and you see brothers of all different kinds line up together and start praying together. It's something really beautiful. I also love it when I see little kids and their older siblings running to the masjid for salaah :D. In nearly every business, whether its a mall, restaurant, grocery store, there is a prayer room available each for men and women. Another advantage is the food...everything is halal mashallah. Even huge corporations that don't have halal available in the west, are halal here. There's also having madinah and makkah nearby. The only downside is that even though it's an islamic country, you'd expect people to be more religious and more aware. I feel that foreigners have more love for this country due to its religious significance than the Saudis do lol.

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[noraina]

Wa alaykum assalam,

JazakAllah khayr for this interesting thread, I've always seen myself as spending maybe a few months there just to see how life is like- I so want to spend some time studying in Madina in'sha'Allah!

So is it true that women need to have a mahram with them whenever they go somewhere and how strictly is that enforced?

Also, how is it when it comes to recreational activities, especially for women, other than shopping? I'm quite good at keeping myself entertained :D but an aunt who lived there (as a housewife) said she couldn't stand it after a while, lol, as there's nothing to do.

[Bobbyflay23]

Assalamu Alaikum

This is your chance to ask about anything that has to do with the country. I've lived here for a few years now, and I'm no expert by any means of course, but I've learned a lot about the life and people here. There's A LOT of misconceptions, even I had some before moving here, but it's quite different than what I expected. So if anyone is interested in knowing more about this country through my experiences, ask away!

Do they allow me to move there and become a citizen I wanted to live there but my dad says they don't let people immigrate also if I live there I can go to Makkah at any time for ummrah right?

[Bobbyflay23]

Also if I do all of my school and college work in America do I get to keep my degree over there for workOh

[*charisma*]

So is it true that women need to have a mahram with them whenever they go somewhere and how strictly is that enforced?

There's this really big misconception that women here are not allowed to leave their houses or go anywhere without a mahrem. It's not true. Saudi really caters to the women here. Where they may lack giving them something, they replace it with something else (eg. they can't drive, but allowed to sponsor foreign drivers). So when women are out, say they want to go to the mall, the malls here allow women and families (husband + wife + kids) to shop freely, but if a group of teenage boys or any man without a family wants to shop as well, they are denied entry. This is to protect the women from having to deal with harassment from single men. Most large establishments where people like to go to waste time and loiter around are like that. However, places like grocery stores, pharmacies (where you're actually going cuz you're in need of something) are not. Secondly, having drivers or using taxis are utilized by many women here to go to work, school, and other necessary places. They don't need to have a mahrem with them to utilize them. That goes without saying though, if you want to go out and your dad says no, then you can't go out :D I think that runs in any household.

So then, what is this huge rumour all about then?? THe rumor is about women who want to leave the country. Any woman who wants to leave, has to have permission from her mahrem. What that means is, there is actually a governmental online system, where the mahrem fills out an application that basically says "My wife/daughter is allowed to leave the country with my knowledge" So whenever they are flying or crossing the border, the mahrem is notified that they have left via a text message (if he is not with them). Also, there are hotels here that require one to show his "family card" to prove that the female with him is his mother/sister. It's a governmental issued card that lists the names and relationships of the family members in the first degree. This is to limit any hanky panky that may go on if a woman and a man are trying to get a hotel room and commit some haram lol. Every individual household has their own rules though, so some families may be a lot more strict in allowing female members to leave or go anywhere without a mahrem. However, it's purely individual and it's not really enforced by the government. I also want to add that there are many nonMuslim women who reside here on their own. NonMuslim westerner women who are sponsored by companies or private international schools are given housing, drivers, and anything they need really to live here on their own. When they want to leave the country, then it's their sponsor who has to give the permission to do so in that situation. They can't go anywhere without it.

Do they allow me to move there and become a citizen I wanted to live there but my dad says they don't let people immigrate also if I live there I can go to Makkah at any time for ummrah right?

You can't become a citizen that easily, but you can move here with reason (ie. for work/business purposes) or if you're the son/daughter of someone who is sponsored to come there. Even women/men who have been married to Saudis for years have difficulties getting the citizenship. However, Saudi is in the works of making it easier for people to come and stay (with a price), they're thinking of having something similar to the US green card. Also, rumor has it that they may even be opening Saudi for tourism as well. My friend's father was given the opportunity to get the Saudi citizenship. He's worked there for years and years and I guess he was highly respected so they offered it to him, but he refused it. So it can happen, but you really, really have to earn it, and most likely it will be after years and years of residing there.

To go to Umrah, you have to get a visa to travel there first. I think they are more lenient with allowing people to come for Umrah whenever they want. (Tip: Come during the winter months :D Dec-Feb). For hajj though, it can be more difficult and a lot more expensive because you have masses and masses of people coming from every country. There's actually a limit on how many people are allowed to come from each country (including Saudis I think) so that they can ensure every country is given a chance to perform hajj.

[*charisma*]

Also if I do all of my school and college work in America do I get to keep my degree over there for workOh

Sorry, missed this question. Yes, all your schoolwork is valid if it's from the US. When you want to come here to work though, your certificates have to be notarized by the Saudi Embassy in the US. When you are hired for a job, I think they walk you through what is required of you in regards to the necessary documents and visa processing :).

[noraina]

There's this really big misconception that women here are not allowed to leave their houses or go anywhere without a mahrem. It's not true. Saudi really caters to the women here. Where they may lack giving them something, they replace it with something else (eg. they can't drive, but allowed to sponsor foreign drivers). So when women are out, say they want to go to the mall, the malls here allow women and families (husband + wife + kids) to shop freely, but if a group of teenage boys or any man without a family wants to shop as well, they are denied entry. This is to protect the women from having to deal with harassment from single men. Most large establishments where people like to go to waste time and loiter around are like that. However, places like grocery stores, pharmacies (where you're actually going cuz you're in need of something) are not. Secondly, having drivers or using taxis are utilized by many women here to go to work, school, and other necessary places. They don't need to have a mahrem with them to utilize them. That goes without saying though, if you want to go out and your dad says no, then you can't go out I think that runs in any household.

So then, what is this huge rumour all about then?? THe rumor is about women who want to leave the country. Any woman who wants to leave, has to have permission from her mahrem. What that means is, there is actually a governmental online system, where the mahrem fills out an application that basically says "My wife/daughter is allowed to leave the country with my knowledge" So whenever they are flying or crossing the border, the mahrem is notified that they have left via a text message (if he is not with them). Also, there are hotels here that require one to show his "family card" to prove that the female with him is his mother/sister. It's a governmental issued card that lists the names and relationships of the family members in the first degree. This is to limit any hanky panky that may go on if a woman and a man are trying to get a hotel room and commit some haram lol. Every individual household has their own rules though, so some families may be a lot more strict in allowing female members to leave or go anywhere without a mahrem. However, it's purely individual and it's not really enforced by the government. I also want to add that there are many nonMuslim women who reside here on their own. NonMuslim westerner women who are sponsored by companies or private international schools are given housing, drivers, and anything they need really to live here on their own. When they want to leave the country, then it's their sponsor who has to give the permission to do so in that situation. They can't go anywhere without it.

That's really interesting because I have always assumed you cannot leave the house at all unless you have a mahram with you. Just goes to show how much we can be influenced by those media reports and 'rumours' circulating about Saudi Arabia.

And well, if your dad says no, then it means NO. :D I'm quite sure the vast majority of us are familiar with that.

:jz: sis.

[azc]

Can media speak freely against government?

[AabiruSabeel]

:salam:

Can media speak freely against government?

Publicly speaking against the government leads to dissent and Allah :swt: says, وَالْفِتْنَةُ أَشَدُّ مِنَ الْقَتْلِ ... and fitnah is worse than killing [2:191].

Someone asked the grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia why he did not speak with the rulers or advise them. He said, who says he does not speak with them? He said he does speak with them and regularly advises them but he does so privately. Not only him, there are other scholars who advice them as well. But all in privacy and they don't have to announce anything to the public.

Why? Because one who advises privately is the well wisher, and the one who publicly comments against them is the mischief monger.


Even here on IB, we do not allow publicly protesting our rules and opposing a mod's action. Allowing that creates negativity. We have the helpdesk for all such discussions.

[Scimitar]

Bukhari book 88 has the particular ahadeeth about the "ruler and his rights".

Scimi

[*charisma*]

BTW, I don't want this thread to get too political as it's more about the life and people here in general, like things to expect if someone were to live, work, or visit KSA. If anyone is interested, I can move some posts around into a new thread related to the political aspects of Saudi.

Edit: All political posts have been deleted to keep the focus on travel and life in KSA.

[Zeal]

What are the best places to visit besides those in Makkah and Madinah?

[noraina]

As there are so many nationalities living there, how is it in terms of integration? Do non-Saudi citizen keep themselves to themselves, e.g. do they tend to live in certain neighbourhoods?

[*charisma*]

What are the best places to visit besides those in Makkah and Madinah?

I will inshallah go into more details about this because Saudi is huge and there are some beautiful hidden places many don't really know or hear about.

As there are so many nationalities living there, how is it in terms of integration? Do non-Saudi citizen keep themselves to themselves, e.g. do they tend to live in certain neighbourhoods?

Those who come with families from other countries to work, usually are given a place to live by their sponsor. This means they will live in compounds owned by the company they work for (usually a gated, private community), flats (also owned by the company), or they are compensated and they choose their own living arrangements. Those who are single will generally share their flats with other single men in a building specifically for single men. The buildings are usually away from typical family residential areas and are often closer to the workplace where they are sponsored. The compounds are completely gated and are for those who are working for huge companies where they get paid well.

So then we get to those who can choose where to live. Depending on their salaries and how much they are given, most people that are here for work will try to save money because they do not plan on staying forever. You will find their communities in middle-low to low class neighborhoods due to the lower rent costs. They typically live around people of their own ethnicity too. Those who have more money will live in middle-class homes or choose a more affluent compound where again, they will probably gravitate towards those who they can relate to. Then you have the Saudis, who typically live in middle class homes to high class villas which are each in their own separate neighborhoods. Every house here is completely walled for privacy and I think that gives a different type of vibe than say villages in other countries or neighborhoods in the west where you interact with your neighbors or at least see them on a regular basis. I think there is a lot more isolation when someone works in a city that is very conservative and majorly Saudi.

With that being said, I don't think anyone purposely or intentionally segregates themselves from any community. It's just a result of the way they are living, language barriers, cultural differences and busy lifestyle. Places where integration starts is in international schools, but those are expensive. There are also private schools directed only towards certain ethnicities, because families still want their kids to be in touch with their culture, even though governmental schools are free. Many of the nonSaudis that live here, are here due to work. However, on the weekend when most are off from work, you see more communities gathered together at parks, festivals, shopping centers, and the like. No one is forced to live anywhere specifically, it just has more to do with where they can afford to live and what accommodates them best.

This is at least what I have experienced where I live, but I think that places like Jeddah are a lot more open, with much more culture, so there's probably a lot more interaction going on.

[*charisma*]

What are the best places to visit besides those in Makkah and Madinah?

This is a beautiful place in the northwest of Saudi called Haql. I've not been there yet, hoping to go soon inshallah, but someone I know shared a video of their trip there and it was breathtaking!

If you like mountains, you'll have to visit Abha. It doesn't just have mountains though..there's a lot of green too. Here's Imagination Park:

Here's a waterfall called Shalal al Dahna:

Here are some of my pics from when I went:

And sometimes, randomly, you'll pass by a swarm of baboons:

Abha has more conservative Saudis. They also have their own type of culture where they dress quite differently from the Saudis we're used to seeing. Abha also borders Yemen.

In Saudi they also have beaches which are locally called "Cornaish." You'll find families here bbq'ing and spending time together.

I gathered some pics of the Dammam Cornaish which is in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia:

Inshallah I'll discuss some more places later :) But I hope this sparks your interest for now!

[azc]

Beautiful photographs!

Thanks....

[Simple_Person]

Isn't the current "traditional clothing" that Saudis wear more in line with the Jews instead how they wore clothing back 14 centries ago?. You now a days see them like a white cloth falling down from their heads while in the past you only saw some Turban kind of style.

So my question is where does this new style come from? Or brought in to fashion by whom?

[*charisma*]

Are you referring to the thobe? I can name several countries that it relates to before even considering jews.

[Simple_Person]

Are you referring to the thobe? I can name several countries that it relates to before even considering jews.

Well all I see is the most resembles with them. What I rather want to know is where did they adopt it from?.

We know the "little bicycle tire" on their head use to be a rope to tie their camels with but later on becoming not nececcary is it because of this?..What happened to the Turban? Why we don't see that anymore? Was it because one clan became more dominant that had different kind of style compared to this one (Abdulaziz al Saub - clan)

I know and please do excuse me for so many questions.

[Zeal]

Subhanallah that is all so stunning. The waterfall especially and I never knew Arabia could be so green. The beaches look nice and I'd love to have a bbq over there. I've Only ever had them in peoples backyards and the park but a good beef burger there is a good beef burger here.

And yep it defo has sparked my interest I can't wait to see more

:jz:

[*charisma*]

Well all I see is the most resembles with them. What I rather want to know is where did they adopt it from?.

We know the "little bicycle tire" on their head use to be a rope to tie their camels with but later on becoming not nececcary is it because of this?..What happened to the Turban? Why we don't see that anymore? Was it because one clan became more dominant that had different kind of style compared to this one (Abdulaziz al Saub - clan)

I know and please do excuse me for so many questions.

loooool omg you're funny ;D "little bicycle tire." Well since you brought up clothing, let's go through the basic terminology from top to bottom :D

Worn first on head, under scarf, called a tageeya (also known as kufi):

Then comes the Ghutra, which is basic name for any colored scarf, or called specifically Shmaagh for the red and white one:

Then there's the i'gaal, which keeps the ghutraa in place.

And the white garment is called a thobe (but can be in other colors as well), (they wear white garments underneath it (their name escapes me at the moment).)

and the fancy covering over the thobe is called a bisht.

Isn't the current "traditional clothing" that Saudis wear more in line with the Jews instead how they wore clothing back 14 centries ago?. You now a days see them like a white cloth falling down from their heads while in the past you only saw some Turban kind of style.

So my question is where does this new style come from? Or brought in to fashion by whom?

They wear it in several different styles, it just depends. In the dessert, they'll wrap it like a turban, or cover their faces to protect from the dust. If they are going to a special occasion, it's worn down as in the pics or it'll be flung back on the sides. The manner in which they put it on differs from region to region (eg. bedouin vs common folk, northerners vs southerners), tribe to tribe, and even country to country as a distinguishing factor. For example, in Oman and UAE, they traditionally wear it more like a turban. Historically the closest I've seen to the current style you're inquiring about is actually in the levant countries (Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon), not the Jews.

The way Saudis currently dress is purely cultural I believe, but logically, you can't expect them to be dressing the same exact way since 14 centuries ago :D, especially when they are their own established country who are surrounded by other rich cultures with a changing environment. There's really not much information that I could find about how the people dressed before Saudi Arabia was established, (other than the descriptions of the prophet's clothing pbuh). However I see influences from Iraq, Yemen, Jordan, even influences from the bedouins of these countries. They also have to adapt to the climate changes. And as for how they style their ghutra, it depends on how they're feelin' lol. But I'll inquire about it more from a historical perspective inshallah. I don't consider the turban to be dead or non-existant by any means because I still see it worn. In the muslim countries, you'll see some parts of dress which are very sunnah-like, and others more cultural, but in general they all cover their heads to stay connected Islamically i suppose.

Edit: Here's a little history about the ghutra: http://www.arabnews.com/news/460492

[*charisma*]

Subhanallah that is all so stunning. The waterfall especially and I never knew Arabia could be so green. The beaches look nice and I'd love to have a bbq over there. I've Only ever had them in peoples backyards and the park but a good beef burger there is a good beef burger here.

And yep it defo has sparked my interest I can't wait to see more

:jz:

These are places you really gotta go and get yourself lost in. You won't find them in the popular cities.

Bro don't even get me started on the burgers here ;D

[Simple_Person]

loooool omg you're funny ;D "little bicycle tire." Well since you brought up clothing, let's go through the basic terminology from top to bottom :D

Worn first on head, under scarf, called a tageeya (also known as kufi):

Then comes the Ghutra, which is basic name for any colored scarf, or called specifically Shmaagh for the red and white one:

Then there's the i'gaal, which keeps the ghutraa in place.

And the white garment is called a thobe (but can be in other colors as well), (they wear white garments underneath it (their name escapes me at the moment).)

and the fancy covering over the thobe is called a bisht.

They wear it in several different styles, it just depends. In the dessert, they'll wrap it like a turban, or cover their faces to protect from the dust. If they are going to a special occasion, it's worn down as in the pics or it'll be flung back on the sides. The manner in which they put it on differs from region to region (eg. bedouin vs common folk, northerners vs southerners), tribe to tribe, and even country to country as a distinguishing factor. For example, in Oman and UAE, they traditionally wear it more like a turban. Historically the closest I've seen to the current style you're inquiring about is actually in the levant countries (Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon), not the Jews.

The way Saudis currently dress is purely cultural I believe, but logically, you can't expect them to be dressing the same exact way since 14 centuries ago :D, especially when they are their own established country who are surrounded by other rich cultures with a changing environment. There's really not much information that I could find about how the people dressed before Saudi Arabia was established, (other than the descriptions of the prophet's clothing pbuh). However I see influences from Iraq, Yemen, Jordan, even influences from the bedouins of these countries. They also have to adapt to the climate changes. And as for how they style their ghutra, it depends on how they're feelin' lol. But I'll inquire about it more from a historical perspective inshallah. I don't consider the turban to be dead or non-existant by any means because I still see it worn. In the muslim countries, you'll see some parts of dress which are very sunnah-like, and others more cultural, but in general they all cover their heads to stay connected Islamically i suppose.

Edit: Here's a little history about the ghutra: http://www.arabnews.com/news/460492

Oke, clear, and off course style changes through out the years. The Kurdish style also has changed through out the years, although one could say in some part they still use those old clothing.

One last question you said that white clothes reflect sunlight, which i agree, is it typical that women there MUST wear black instead or also giving other kind of colors to wear? ..being also white for example. As i know women have less problem with heath compared to men, but still heath is heath.

Do keep in mind that i have noticed if i wear white clothes, that my body shape is more visible because of areas causing shadow, although i do not wear any thobes but clothing in general.

[*charisma*]

One last question you said that white clothes reflect sunlight, which i agree, is it typical that women there MUST wear black instead of also giving other kind of colors to wear? ..being also white for example. As i know women have less problem with heath compared to men, but still heath is heath.

Funny, I edited that part out cuz I felt it was irrelevant to your question ;D

For women, they can wear any color really, color isn't enforced or anything. It's just a cultural thing to wear black (also it's slimming for us gals ;D ;D) . If you wear other colors you might stick out so for me personally, I wouldn't wear any color that would bring attention towards me. They also have black with other colors, or they'll have a muted color like a dark grayish purple so it's not so bright or anything. But I've seen beige abayas and blue ones. Where women really like to get fancy with their abayahs is mostly the designs rather than color.

[Simple_Person]

Funny, I edited that part out cuz I felt it was irrelevant to your question ;D

For women, they can wear any color really, color isn't enforced or anything. It's just a cultural thing to wear black (also it's slimming for us gals ;D ;D) . If you wear other colors you might stick out so for me personally, I wouldn't wear any color that would bring attention towards me. They also have black with other colors, or they'll have a muted color like a dark grayish purple so it's not so bright or anything. But I've seen beige abayas and blue ones. Where women really like to get fancy with their abayahs is mostly the designs rather than color.

Agreed, i am satisfied with the answer. Jazakallah khairan sensei.

[*charisma*]

Here are some more fun facts:

-Weekends are on Friday & Saturday. Before ~4 years ago, they were on Thursday & Friday.

-Petrol/Gasoline is cheaper than water.

-Faucet water is not suitable for drinking, so everyone has to buy their drinking water.

-Restaurants stay open late. There's no issues finding a place to eat at 2am!

-Restuarants are separated into Family sections and Single (male) sections. Then there are barriers for the booths in the family sections so women can remove their niqaab to comfortably eat, and so the servers cannot see them as they work.

-Many major restaurants also deliver in KSA, but these services are not available for other countries.

-Everything shuts down when it's prayer time.

-Camel meat tastes good :P mashallah

-Saudis eat on the floor, with their hands.

..More later inshallah :D

[noraina]

Assalamu alaykum

Sis @*charisma* those pictures of Saudi were so beautiful ma'sha'Allah. I've always thought it would be just desert (not that I've got anything against deserts) but I love those mountainous, green landscapes, I spend most of my time painting them. I wonder how they'd react to a sister all in black painting on an easel by the mountains or the beach, :D.

I appreciate you're showing those places which don't always come on the map. Some of the most wonderful areas are the ones only locals or long-term residents know about, and which tourists don't really go to.

Camel meat :o I couldn't bring myself to eat anything with such puppy-like eyes and gorgeous, fluttery eyelashes. Btw, my dad has eaten camel meat and tells me it is apparently very salty.

[*charisma*]

Walaikum asalaam

Sis @*charisma* those pictures of Saudi were so beautiful ma'sha'Allah. I've always thought it would be just desert (not that I've got anything against deserts) but I love those mountainous, green landscapes, I spend most of my time painting them. I wonder how they'd react to a sister all in black painting on an easel by the mountains or the beach, .

You'd be surprised how many talented female artists are here. They have festivals where they showcase their work mashallah. I think you'd fit right in! :)

Camel meat I couldn't bring myself to eat anything with such puppy-like eyes and gorgeous, fluttery eyelashes. Btw, my dad has eaten camel meat and tells me it is apparently very salty.

;D It's a delicacy here...It's interesting that your dad thought it was salty??? That's the first I've ever heard. I know that camel milk has a slight saltiness to it but never heard the meat does. Subhanallah. It tastes like beef to me, but a lighter version. I still can't get myself to eat it as a regular thing. We buy it once in a blue moon even though it tastes good. It's just pricier and well...it's camel meat.

[Simple_Person]

;D It's a delicacy here...It's interesting that your dad thought it was salty??? That's the first I've ever heard. I know that camel milk has a slight saltiness to it but never heard the meat does. Subhanallah. It tastes like beef to me, but a lighter version. I still can't get myself to eat it as a regular thing. We buy it once in a blue moon even though it tastes good. It's just pricier and well...it's camel meat.

I know of hadith that after eating camel meat, we have to redo our wudu. Do they notify people of this fact or just assume people already know this?

[*charisma*]

I know of hadith that after eating camel meat, we have to redo our wudu. Do they notify people of this fact or just assume people already know this?

Yes you're right :D They already know here. Although most gatherings occur after 'Isha anyways. It's popularity ranks after chicken, lamb, and goat, but it ranks higher than beef. (Chicken>Lamb/Goat>Camel>Beef). It's moreso served on special occasions.

[Simple_Person]

Yes you're right :D They already know here. Although most gatherings occur after 'Isha anyways. It's popularity ranks after chicken, lamb, and goat, but it ranks higher than beef. (Chicken>Lamb/Goat>Camel>Beef). It's moreso served on special occasions.

It more looks like that beef is something especially favored in the west. If we look at cow's in the Middle East and cows in the west, huge difference in size and fat percentage on them. With us Kurds also, mostly chicken, goats and sheep. Maybe cow needs more water and more food to gain such a size, as that is in abundance in the west (green grass all over).

[*charisma*]

It more looks like that beef is something especially favored in the west. If we look at cow's in the Middle East and cows in the west, huge difference in size and fat percentage on them. With us Kurds also, mostly chicken, goats and sheep. Maybe cow needs more water and more food to gain such a size, as that is in abundance in the west (green grass all over).

That's a good point mashallah. I agree. Funny thing I cannot eat goats and sheep. I don't like the taste or the smell. I prefer camel meat in flavor. I honestly think its a lot healthier and it's for sure a lot leaner than beef..but man i sure do love my burgers.

[Simple_Person]

That's a good point mashallah. I agree. Funny thing I cannot eat goats and sheep. I don't like the taste or the smell. I prefer camel meat in flavor. I honestly think its a lot healthier and it's for sure a lot leaner than beef..but man i sure do love my burgers.

hahahah sub'han'Allah. You are not the only one XD. Kurds usually love goat/sheep meat, i also do not like the meat of either of them. The only thing that i do love is certain dish that involves the intestines of the animal.


http://static.flickr.com/82/226047004_dcbdc50efe_o.jpg

Btw, is much of the beef in Saudi Arabia imported from other countries?

[*charisma*]

hahahah sub'han'Allah. You are not the only one XD. Kurds usually love goat/sheep meat, i also do not like the meat of either of them. The only thing that i do love is certain dish that involves the intestines of the animal.

What's the dish called?? There's a dish in the levant and egypt where they stuff the intestines with rice and spices..and boil it til tender, then they fry it/broil it so it's browned on the outside...mashallah that you're able to eat that :D It's a lot of work to clean out too..so I hope you give appreciation to the person who cooks it for you.

Yes, they import chicken and beef..and a lot of other things too. I've seen goat meat from pakistan or beef from Brazil for example. I think they have a sectors in these countries where muslims slaughter and prepare the meat. However, local meat is also available.

[Simple_Person]

What's the dish called?? There's a dish in the levant and egypt where they stuff the intestines with rice and spices..and boil it til tender, then they fry it/broil it so it's browned on the outside...mashallah that you're able to eat that :D It's a lot of work to clean out too..so I hope you give appreciation to the person who cooks it for you.

Yes, they import chicken and beef..and a lot of other things too. I've seen goat meat from pakistan or beef from Brazil for example. I think they have a sectors in these countries where muslims slaughter and prepare the meat. However, local meat is also available.

Well because Kurds usually exited as tribes just like Arabs, it has as far as i know two different names. It could be more off course.

Some call it "ser u pe" (head and feet)
Some call it "Ur u rivi" (stomach and intestines)

If you look closely you can see the stomach being stuffed also. Never knew that they did it also in Levant and Egypt, although i am not familiar with frying it. We only boil it. AND YES, it is A LOT OF work. It is i believe cleaned thrice. My sister was getting the goat ****..XD out of it while i was watching. However although it is delicious when cleaned and cooked, but the amount of preparations to make it compared to the taste, i prefer other dishes like my ALL TIME favorite is grape leaves/peppers/potatoes/eggplants stuffed with rice etc. Different names. Some call it "dolma", some call it "yaprag/iprag"..OKE..sorry no more information available..it takes a lot of thinking and thus my stomach is also listening..better stop thinking about it as my mouth is almost overflowing with saliva :P.

I appreciate some culture habits in the Middle East as i know of my own culture when they slaughter an animal, the ONLY thing that i do not know what they do with it is the bones. From skin, to organ meat, tongue, eyes, head, feet, manure, intestines EVERYTHING is being used. This is the BEST way how to live aside with nature and not wast food or things to use. However globalization has also effected those cultures to the core and many have become full of pride and arrogant and do not feel to eat food that was cooked yesterday and thus throw it away or stop living with the same mentality as the old times.

OOOH..now i think about it, this is a question that i have wondered for maybe 10 years or so. Arabs eat often from a plate and "attack" it with their hands. Let's say everybody has eaten their share what is in front of them, so only the "walls of rice for example" between you and the people sitting next to you on the right and on the left are left. What happens to those "walls" that other people have touched it with their hands/saliva?

[*charisma*]

If you look closely you can see the stomach being stuffed also. Never knew that they did it also in Levant and Egypt, although i am not familiar with frying it. We only boil it. AND YES, it is A LOT OF work. It is i believe cleaned thrice. My sister was getting the goat ****..XD out of it while i was watching. However although it is delicious when cleaned and cooked, but the amount of preparations to make it compared to the taste, i prefer other dishes like my ALL TIME favorite is grape leaves/peppers/potatoes/eggplants stuffed with rice etc. Different names. Some call it "dolma", some call it "yaprag/iprag"..OKE..sorry no more information available..it takes a lot of thinking and thus my stomach is also listening..better stop thinking about it as my mouth is almost overflowing with saliva :P.

Yea I'm familiar with all of that too and I cook them...bless your future wife..you chose to love the foods with the most work :D
I used to stuff grape leaves with my mom and I'd be complaining the entire time ;D She'll say watch one day you'll get married to someone who's in love with them so you better learn now ;D Now I'm a pro at making them mashallah, but they're not my fave food..i make them for everyone else. So it's totally a dish of love. Stuffing veggies for us is also a sign of who can cook and who can't :D if you pierce your veggies as you core them, you're screwed. I have yet to cook and stuff intestines..i can't believe you watched the process and still had an appetite mashallah loool In Saudi they boil them too and I don't think they know about the fry/broil method.

I appreciate some culture habits in the Middle East as i know of my own culture when they slaughter an animal, the ONLY thing that i do not know what they do with it is the bones. From skin, to organ meat, tongue, eyes, head, feet, manure, intestines EVERYTHING is being used. This is the BEST way how to live aside with nature and not wast food or things to use. However globalization has also effected those cultures to the core and many have become full of pride and arrogant and do not feel to eat food that was cooked yesterday and thus throw it away or stop living with the same mentality as the old times.

That's one of my pet-peeves..when people get all picky about eating leftover foods. Alhemdulilah I don't have to deal with that..there's rarely any leftovers in the first place ;D Also if there's leftovers here in Saudi, some families give the food away to workers or for others to take home with them. Or they freeze it and they heat it up with other side dishes. NOt all do that though, I've heard of people throwing food away, lots of food, which makes me so mad. I haven't come across it personally though alhemdulilah, but you know vids go around.

OOOH..now i think about it, this is a question that i have wondered for maybe 10 years or so. Arabs eat often from a plate and "attack" it with their hands. Let's say everybody has eaten their share what is in front of them, so only the "walls of rice for example" between you and the people sitting next to you on the right and on the left are left. What happens to those "walls" that other people have touched it with their hands/saliva?

looooooool omg OK so when they eat, they're not barbaric ;D ;D The way they do it is they form the rice in their hand like a kufta (like a meat kebab shape lol) and they eat it..its not as unsanitary as you think it is loool now imagine the plate divided like a pizza, each slice is a territory. They begin from the outermost side and eat in towards the center. As the plate empties from in front of them, they will take from the surrounding areas so as long as it's not from someone else's "territory." So technically, the rice that is between people is untouched by anyone and safe to eat. I hope that makes some sense?? Also you got that one guy who's being generous and throwing pieces of meat to everyone telling them that they got the best piece ;D ;D

[Simple_Person]

Yea I'm familiar with all of that too and I cook them...bless your future wife..you chose to love the foods with the most work :D
I used to stuff grape leaves with my mom and I'd be complaining the entire time ;D She'll say watch one day you'll get married to someone who's in love with them so you better learn now ;D Now I'm a pro at making them mashallah, but they're not my fave food..i make them for everyone else. So it's totally a dish of love. Stuffing veggies for us is also a sign of who can cook and who can't :D if you pierce your veggies as you core them, you're screwed. I have yet to cook and stuff intestines..i can't believe you watched the process and still had an appetite mashallah loool In Saudi they boil them too and I don't think they know about the fry/broil method.

Well I am a very weird guy compared to majority of men. I hate to be dependent on people. I only want to be dependent on Allah for He gives me whatever I am in need to achieve certain things. So how do I function?.Just learn those dishes myself. I already alhamdulillah have managed to be able to cook different dishes from my own culture. 2-3 hours busy making it ..no problem i learned it and now and then prepare the dishs. There are brothers who will wait until they marry a sister who is able to.make those dishes. I say why wait?. A woman is not better than me ..Why don't I just learn it myself. Women these days (no offense ladies) have become SUPER lazy. They are useless. ..can't cook..can't clean..also don't want to learn to cook or to clean. Don't want children. They want everything but don't want to work for it (again no offense).

I have heard the hardest thing is wrapping the mix in the leaves. I also have found a solution to that. There are those little mechanical machines that you put a leave on it and some rice and like a sigaret you wrap it XD..done deal ;D. Right now in the phase of making own bread and that kind of vegetables in that yellow sour water. I'm not sure what that is called.

That's one of my pet-peeves..when people get all picky about eating leftover foods. Alhemdulilah I don't have to deal with that..there's rarely any leftovers in the first place ;D Also if there's leftovers here in Saudi, some families give the food away to workers or for others to take home with them. Or they freeze it and they heat it up with other side dishes. NOt all do that though, I've heard of people throwing food away, lots of food, which makes me so mad. I haven't come across it personally though alhemdulilah, but you know vids go around.

Every time I see people throw food away I think of Prophet Ayub (as) when Allah cured him and gave him blessings he went around collecting as many of those blessings as possible. So that reminds me of Allah giving us food (blessing) and we throw that away or even Rasullah (saws) I remember I think it was Umar ibn Khattab (as) narrated that Rasullah (saws) saw a date on the ground half dirty cleaned it and ate it. That makes me just go very humble to even clean my plate with a piece of bread and eating that before cleaning the plate with water.

looooooool omg OK so when they eat, they're not barbaric ;D ;D The way they do it is they form the rice in their hand like a kufta (like a meat kebab shape lol) and they eat it..its not as unsanitary as you think it is loool now imagine the plate divided like a pizza, each slice is a territory. They begin from the outermost side and eat in towards the center. As the plate empties from in front of them, they will take from the surrounding areas so as long as it's not from someone else's "territory." So technically, the rice that is between people is untouched by anyone and safe to eat. I hope that makes some sense?? Also you got that one guy who's being generous and throwing pieces of meat to everyone telling them that they got the best piece ;D ;D

Yeah in every culture you have those people that throw the good pieces of meat to others XD. However I still am not completely satisfied with the answer. There are still people who have touched some pieces of rice with their hands (sides of the walls) who eats those rice grains that have been touched by somebody else's hands?..

At the masjid(Morrocan) during laylatul Qadr last year they also brought a plate with some dish all juicy with i believe 1 or 2 hole chickens at the center. I couldn't eat it as I saw the dish suffering mongol invasion by the hands of fellow brothers. It is not out of arrogance that it do not eat it as in my culture we also eat some dishes shared but we touch the bread and with the bread we grab something and eat it. We do not touch the food itself with out hands. In the past I ate a dish with a fellow brother at his home and we both had our own plate but my hand was all wet because of the juices of the dish and I wanted to clean my hand every time I toched the food. I find it disgusting if my hand is all wet because of the juices of food. I also do not want to touch somebody elses food or somebody touching food. I know I also one strange dude...but just seeing some people eat as if they suck the juices of the food from their hand before empty it in their mouth.

[*charisma*]

Well I am a very weird guy compared to majority of men. I hate to be dependent on people. I only want to be dependent on Allah for He gives me whatever I am in need to achieve certain things. So how do I function?.Just learn those dishes myself. I already alhamdulillah have managed to be able to cook different dishes from my own culture. 2-3 hours busy making it ..no problem i learned it and now and then prepare the dishs. There are brothers who will wait until they marry a sister who is able to.make those dishes. I say why wait?. A woman is not better than me ..Why don't I just learn it myself. Women these days (no offense ladies) have become SUPER lazy. They are useless. ..can't cook..can't clean..also don't want to learn to cook or to clean. Don't want children. They want everything but don't want to work for it (again no offense).

I have heard the hardest thing is wrapping the mix in the leaves. I also have found a solution to that. There are those little mechanical machines that you put a leave on it and some rice and like a sigaret you wrap it XD..done deal . Right now in the phase of making own bread and that kind of vegetables in that yellow sour water. I'm not sure what that is called.

Using the dolma machine is cheaaating! I never buy any machine that helps except when I've mastered how to make the dish. But hey you do you loool.

And yea I agree about the woman thing. Alhemdulilah all of my sisters and I know how to cook and we're OCD about cleaning cuz that's how we were bought up, can't say the same for other girl's I've met. On the flip side though, there are guys who lost their man card cuz they don't know how to work with their hands/fix things ;D

But trust me, if your wife is a good cook, you will definitely appreciate and prefer that she cooks :D If you like cooking, we should revive that food thread that's here in the forum somewhere...otherwise I'll be offtopic all day ;D

Every time I see people throw food away I think of Prophet Ayub (as) when Allah cured him and gave him blessings he went around collecting as many of those blessings as possible. So that reminds me of Allah giving us food (blessing) and we throw that away or even Rasullah (saws) I remember I think it was Umar ibn Khattab (as) narrated that Rasullah (saws) saw a date on the ground half dirty cleaned it and ate it. That makes me just go very humble to even clean my plate with a piece of bread and eating that before cleaning the plate with water.

When we were younger and there'd be leftover pita bread, we'd go for the whole ones instead of eating the scraps that were leftover. Once my aunt was like "If you eat the leftover ones you get a lot of hasanaat." We were like really :o so I think from that day we'd finish the leftover breads before cutting another pita. Sorry random memory haha.

Yeah in every culture you have those people that throw the good pieces of meat to others XD. However I still am not completely satisfied with the answer. There are still people who have touched some pieces of rice with their hands (sides of the walls) who eats those rice grains that have been touched by somebody else's hands?..

At the masjid(Morrocan) during laylatul Qadr last year they also brought a plate with some dish all juicy with i believe 1 or 2 hole chickens at the center. I couldn't eat it as I saw the dish suffering mongol invasion by the hands of fellow brothers. It is not out of arrogance that it do not eat it as in my culture we also eat some dishes shared but we touch the bread and with the bread we grab something and eat it. We do not touch the food itself with out hands. In the past I ate a dish with a fellow brother at his home and we both had our own plate but my hand was all wet because of the juices of the dish and I wanted to clean my hand every time I toched the food. I find it disgusting if my hand is all wet because of the juices of food. I also do not want to touch somebody elses food or somebody touching food. I know I also one strange dude...but just seeing some people eat as if they suck the juices of the food from their hand before empty it in their mouth.

I don't think they care in regards to the rice touched by someone else. BUt the dishes that Saudis eat aren't "juicy." If there's broth, usually it's set in a separate bowl on the side for each person, and they'll have it with bread. So I totally get what you mean now when you mention the juices of the dish because other cultures do have juicy dishes like that ;D

This is a palestinian/jordian dish called mansaf.

I think if anyone felt grossed out then they just eat from what's in front of them. But people who are comfortable and used to eating with their hands like that don't really think about it I guess. I don't think I really ever thought about it either ;D now I'll be taking note loool I'll let you know if I discover something new!

[Simple_Person]

Using the dolma machine is cheaaating! I never buy any machine that helps except when I've mastered how to make the dish. But hey you do you loool.

And yea I agree about the woman thing. Alhemdulilah all of my sisters and I know how to cook and we're OCD about cleaning cuz that's how we were bought up, can't say the same for other girl's I've met. On the flip side though, there are guys who lost their man card cuz they don't know how to work with their hands/fix things ;D

But trust me, if your wife is a good cook, you will definitely appreciate and prefer that she cooks :D If you like cooking, we should revive that food thread that's here in the forum somewhere...otherwise I'll be offtopic all day ;D

The age of science and technology. I have those hands with little fingers and if one has those hands with those fingers, there is a lot of power in it. So for me for example it is rather hard to do delicate work. However alhamdulillah Allah has opened the age of science AND TECHNOLOGY :P.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Newc...2-747fd311ca49

When we were younger and there'd be leftover pita bread, we'd go for the whole ones instead of eating the scraps that were leftover. Once my aunt was like "If you eat the leftover ones you get a lot of hasanaat." We were like really :o so I think from that day we'd finish the leftover breads before cutting another pita. Sorry random memory haha.

That's good and please do remind other brothers and sisters of this matter. As the Ummah isn't being humiliated because Allah "felt" like it, it is WE who do not want to stick on the Islamic principles to not waste Allah's blessings.

I don't think they care in regards to the rice touched by someone else. BUt the dishes that Saudis eat aren't "juicy." If there's broth, usually it's set in a separate bowl on the side for each person, and they'll have it with bread. So I totally get what you mean now when you mention the juices of the dish because other cultures do have juicy dishes like that ;D

This is a palestinian/jordian dish called mansaf.

I think if anyone felt grossed out then they just eat from what's in front of them. But people who are comfortable and used to eating with their hands like that don't really think about it I guess. I don't think I really ever thought about it either ;D now I'll be taking note loool I'll let you know if I discover something new!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH.. seeing that picture.. the dish is being run over like bulldozer..look at rice being on the sides of the dish being wasted..people grabbing rice as if it is clay to grab and make a statue out of it or something. Look at the guy on the upper right corner grabbing the rice as if he is making a snow ball..(while the juices whatever little the food contains drop from his fingers on the plate again). That other dude on top..still having rice on his fingers as his saliva probably touches it ..AAAAH my eyes can't keep looking at it while not being grossed over it. If it was a separate plate and 1 person was eating from it, although it wasn't something enjoying seeing it, it is HIS plate and nothing unsanitary about it..now they are attacking it like hungry hyenas..

[noraina]

I'm not sure why my dad said the camel meat was salty...maybe the person who prepared it for him was a bad cook and just drowned it in salt, lol.

Oh, and about the cooking...one of my mother's life goals was that her daughters are maestros of domestic science :D So whilst these days I spend much of my time studying, on the weekends and holidays she gives me some cooking lessons, with dishes getting progressively harder and harder. Alhamdulillah I'm quite good (if I don't say so myself) and I'm very possessive over the kitchen so I might not appreciate 'someone' else trespassing on my territory :D

Although thankfully in my culture there's not that stuffing egg plants and vegetable thing going on....although there are samosas, and because they're 'snacks' you have to make at least 50 for an Eid party, grrrrrrrr.


btw, I have another question....how are the masjids there for women? Does there be like women's prayer rooms and are there classes say, in tajweed or even the Islamic sciences for us sisters?

[*charisma*]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH.. seeing that picture.. the dish is being run over like bulldozer..look at rice being on the sides of the dish being wasted..people grabbing rice as if it is clay to grab and make a statue out of it or something. Look at the guy on the upper right corner grabbing the rice as if he is making a snow ball..(while the juices whatever little the food contains drop from his fingers on the plate again). That other dude on top..still having rice on his fingers as his saliva probably touches it ..AAAAH my eyes can't keep looking at it while not being grossed over it. If it was a separate plate and 1 person was eating from it, although it wasn't something enjoying seeing it, it is HIS plate and nothing unsanitary about it..now they are attacking it like hungry hyenas..

But it's soo good ;D ;D I think when you're really hungry, and you're comfortable about the people you're eating with..you just don't care. It's all slurped down. mashallah. You know I think it increases brotherhood.

I'm not sure why my dad said the camel meat was salty...maybe the person who prepared it for him was a bad cook and just drowned it in salt, lol.

That's what I'm thinkin sis ;D sucks that his first experience had to be like that.

Oh, and about the cooking...one of my mother's life goals was that her daughters are maestros of domestic science So whilst these days I spend much of my time studying, on the weekends and holidays she gives me some cooking lessons, with dishes getting progressively harder and harder. Alhamdulillah I'm quite good (if I don't say so myself) and I'm very possessive over the kitchen so I might not appreciate 'someone' else trespassing on my territory

Omg yesss..My mom was like that and i got that way too subhanallah. The only work she'd let us do is the slave work haha..the chopping of the veggies, the skinning and dividing the chicken, or cutting the fat from the meat. But I'm really thankful for that..I was like 10 years old when I started..then I eventually rebelled and started cooking meals and baking on my own cuz by the time you know how to do the hard work, the rest of it is fun and easy :D

Although thankfully in my culture there's not that stuffing egg plants and vegetable thing going on....although there are samosas, and because they're 'snacks' you have to make at least 50 for an Eid party, grrrrrrrr.

I gotta go through stuffing samosas too this year for ramdan...I'm fine with it as long as the samosa leaves are store-bought. It's too much work when you make the dough out of scratch, which I've done before too.

btw, I have another question....how are the masjids there for women? Does there be like women's prayer rooms and are there classes say, in tajweed or even the Islamic sciences for us sisters?

Points for you for bringing this thread back on topic :D

They have tajweed classes, and they teach islamic science in the universities here. Actually, in the first couple of years in uni here, it's required to take islamic courses. I'm not sure how common they are at masjids though because honestly I pray at home, but I know for sure there are also institutions for tajweed and islamic learning specified for women if the local masajid don't have them.

[noraina]

Omg yesss..My mom was like that and i got that way too subhanallah. The only work she'd let us do is the slave work haha..the chopping of the veggies, the skinning and dividing the chicken, or cutting the fat from the meat. But I'm really thankful for that..I was like 10 years old when I started..then I eventually rebelled and started cooking meals and baking on my own cuz by the time you know how to do the hard work, the rest of it is fun and easy

Same here subhanAllah....my job was to peel potatoes, cut up the chicken, chop the onions, sort out the spices, wash the dishes, stuff the samosas - my mum was very particular about how I do these things no matter how much I grumbled. Alhamdulillah though it has paid off, I can make a wonderful meal including desert from scratch and my mum always insists that getting a degree is one thing, and learning domestic skills is another - and she says 'you know which one you couldn't live without' :D.

But my pet peeve is when I am working in the kitchen and someone's trying to do it 'their' way. When I'm there, it's either my way or the highway ;D

Points for you for bringing this thread back on topic

They have tajweed classes, and they teach islamic science in the universities here. Actually, in the first couple of years in uni here, it's required to take islamic courses. I'm not sure how common they are at masjids though because honestly I pray at home, but I know for sure there are also institutions for tajweed and islamic learning specified for women if the local masajid don't have them.

I thought so, and yes I prefer to pray at home as well - alhamdulillah us sisters have it easier in that regard, lol.

I suppose my final question would be - how do you find life there yourself? Can you see yourself staying long-term or are you intent on moving to Nottingham :D.

[Simple_Person]

But it's soo good ;D ;D I think when you're really hungry, and you're comfortable about the people you're eating with..you just don't care. It's all slurped down. mashallah. You know I think it increases brotherhood.

You might indeed have a good point there. Increase in brotherhood a bit like sharing some food the same just even though haram you also see this for example with weed done by people. They all use the same cigarette with weed in it passing it around. Till now that indeed the people that i see not to share food with are the ones that i do not feel comfortable with, so if in my life i might see people that i truly see as brothers with full confident they have my back then i can agree with you eating from the same plate might suddenly become not such a big issue at all.

Although still if there are plates to divide the food on them and each individual eating from their own plate i would prefer that, but in time of poverty or lack of means makes perfectly sense and increasing the feel of brotherhood. Jazakallah khairan for bringing this to attention as my view now slightly has changed.

[*charisma*]

I suppose my final question would be - how do you find life there yourself? Can you see yourself staying long-term or are you intent on moving to Nottingham .

Honestly, before I arrived here I thought I wouldn't like it at all because I had all of these prejudices and assumptions. I was extremely critical. But subhanallah...I've been here for 5 years now and I consider it my home. Although, i am the type of person that adapts really easily. So that could definitely be a factor. I've heard some people say that they do not like the life here because it's restrictive. Someone coming from a beautiful country like Lebanon for example, where people freely mix or can dress however they want and do whatever they want will find it very restrictive in that aspect. It definitely depends on each individual. I'm introverted and not materialistic at all, so I am content anywhere as long as I have what I need and I am not around intrusive people.

Living here made me realize even though Saudi may not be as progressive as other nations in some things, that IT'S OK! It just means there will be more opportunities in the future. Every country doesn't have to be the same, and this is what makes saudi so unique. It's not perfect, but there isn't a nation that is. I've grown some resentment towards people that want to push for "liberal" changes and make it more "westernized"...there are other countries for that. And if you're lucky to be a westerner, then you can probably travel anywhere in the world to see those liberal countries... so I don't get it..it's just another ploy to divide and conquer. But yeaaa anyways lool yes I really enjoy it here even though I hated saudi (due to negative assumptions) before I came :p

[noraina]

Honestly, before I arrived here I thought I wouldn't like it at all because I had all of these prejudices and assumptions. I was extremely critical. But subhanallah...I've been here for 5 years now and I consider it my home. Although, i am the type of person that adapts really easily. So that could definitely be a factor. I've heard some people say that they do not like the life here because it's restrictive. Someone coming from a beautiful country like Lebanon for example, where people freely mix or can dress however they want and do whatever they want will find it very restrictive in that aspect. It definitely depends on each individual. I'm introverted and not materialistic at all, so I am content anywhere as long as I have what I need and I am not around intrusive people.

Living here made me realize even though Saudi may not be as progressive as other nations in some things, that IT'S OK! It just means there will be more opportunities in the future. Every country doesn't have to be the same, and this is what makes saudi so unique. It's not perfect, but there isn't a nation that is. I've grown some resentment towards people that want to push for "liberal" changes and make it more "westernized"...there are other countries for that. And if you're lucky to be a westerner, then you can probably travel anywhere in the world to see those liberal countries... so I don't get it..it's just another ploy to divide and conquer. But yeaaa anyways lool yes I really enjoy it here even though I hated saudi (due to negative assumptions) before I came :p

I definitely agree with you on that...Saudi Arabia is not perfect and could probably 'improve' on a number of levels (as do all countries) but it's core essence, that traditional society which makes is so very different from other places in the world, that's something I'd never want to see it lose. Somehow, a lot of countries, Muslim as well as non-Muslim, have lost parts of their culture and 'feels' which'll never come back, and this seems to be a given with 'progression'. And that isn't all bad, lol, but in this world there should be some room for both.

I'm glad you've enjoy it there though, may Allah swt give you success and happiness where you are. Ameen x

[strivingobserver98]

Salam hope your all well.

Sorry for overloading you with questions.

1) Is it safe to carry iPhone while walking around makkah. Or risk of getting stolen?

2) Do you buy new SIM over there for Wifi? How much for data?

3) Why do people go bald in Umrah? Is it sunnah?

4) Do people (eg. guards, staff, shopkeepers) speak english too? How useful to learn basic arabic?

[*charisma*]

Muslim as well as non-Muslim, have lost parts of their culture and 'feels' which'll never come back, and this seems to be a given with 'progression'. And that isn't all bad, lol, but in this world there should be some room for both.

I agree, but I don't think it should be forced by outsiders. It's something that should happen naturally as society changes.

I'm glad you've enjoy it there though, may Allah swt give you success and happiness where you are. Ameen x

Aww, jazaki allahu khair. May Allah grant you the same if not better ameen <3

Sorry for overloading you with questions.

Walaikum Assalaaam

Don't worry about it :D

1) Is it safe to carry iPhone while walking around makkah. Or risk of getting stolen?

It's pretty safe. I didn't get any feeling that anything would get stolen and I haven't had anything stolen alhemdulilah. Just practice common sense I guess. Keep your stuff with you.

You can utilize one of these bad boys:

2) Do you buy new SIM over there for Wifi? How much for data?

I already have a phone plan since I live here, but yes visitors can buy their own sim card.
Your own sim card will work too I think, but you'll be roaming, so it might cost more and/or you'll need to call and ask your provider for more info in regards to that.

THese are the major mobile service companies that'll provide internet and phone services for Hajj & Umrah, it'll give you an idea about costs:

ZAIN

STC (Click on "Sawa Ziyara")

MOBILY

Sim Cards are 30 SR = ~6.2 GPB

Edit: Also you should bring your passport with you as I think they use your passport number to create your account for you.

3) Why do people go bald in Umrah? Is it sunnah?

Yes, shaving the head is sunnah. For girls, we have to cut a lock of our hair. Better to bring your own clippers as well.

4) Do people (eg. guards, staff, shopkeepers) speak english too? How useful to learn basic arabic?

English is a hit and miss with Saudis. Some speak it, some don't. Staff can be a mixture of people of different ethnicities. Usually they know english enough to communicate like Indians, pakistanis, malaysians, etc. The way different ethnicities communicate with Arabs and each other is by speaking broken Arabic. So if you find someone of your ethnicity you may be able to ask them for info in your native language. If you can learn some arabic phrases it will be helpful, but I don't think it's absolutely necessary. Signs, food products, etc are in already English.


Good Questions mashallah! :)

[strivingobserver98]

I already have a phone plan since I live here, but yes visitors can buy their own sim card.

This seems so complicated. I thought of an idea, why not you just give me one? Since your resident? Sim card with no money in, then post it over to me. I'll top it up. Or maybe leave it under some prayer mat and i'll pick it up there lol, I dunno. Would you be open to posting to UK? :jz:

It's pretty safe. I didn't get any feeling that anything would get stolen and I haven't had anything stolen alhemdulilah. Just practice common sense I guess. Keep your stuff with you.

Thanks I'll order one :)

[*charisma*]

This seems so complicated. I thought of an idea, why not you just give me one? Since your resident? Sim card with no money in, then post it over to me. I'll top it up. Or maybe leave it under some prayer mat and i'll pick it up there lol, I dunno. Would you be open to posting to UK?

When do you plan on doing Umrah inshallah?

It's not difficult. When you arrive at the airport in Jeddah, they will have counters for providers. That will probably be the easiest for you instead of roaming around jeddah or makkah looking for a provider. However, if you do find yourself doing that, they are pretty common and you will for sure find one at any mall. You don't have to fill out forms or anything, but to register you will need your passport and they will take your fingerprints. You will get a sim card with whatever you need on it. Just make sure the phone you have is unlocked and will accept international sim cards.

[strivingobserver98]

It's not difficult. When you arrive at the airport in Jeddah, they will have counters for providers. That will probably be the easiest for you instead of roaming around jeddah or makkah looking for a provider. However, if you do find yourself doing that, they are pretty common and you will for sure find one at any mall. You don't have to fill out forms or anything, but to register you will need your passport and they will take your fingerprints. You will get a sim card with whatever you need on it. Just make sure the phone you have is unlocked and will accept international sim cards.

Awesome idea I'll do that iA.

[strivingobserver98]

Hey any reason why there's like some saudi men who walk with miswak in their mouth and walk lol. They are not brushing teeth of course, but just carrying it in their mouth, I thought it might be a trend or fashion of some sort :O?

[*charisma*]

Hey any reason why there's like some saudi men who walk with miswak in their mouth and walk lol. They are not brushing teeth of course, but just carrying it in their mouth, I thought it might be a trend or fashion of some sort :O?

Hmm, Idk if I've ever noticed that tbh. Maybe it's like walking around with a toothpick or chewing on pens lool. Oral fixation.

[Amor101]

Assalamu Alaykum

I heard Saudia Arabia has only female buses. Is this true? Are there a lot of Saudi women employed?

[*charisma*]

Assalamu Alaykum

I heard Saudia Arabia has only female buses. Is this true? Are there a lot of Saudi women employed?

walaikum asalaam

Yes there are female only buses, as well as male only buses. However, most Saudi women have their own private drivers, or they utilize the various taxi services available. And yes many saudi women are employed. Employment for women in general is not an issue here.

[Cptn._.Mario]

One day I'll get a chance to visit. Insha Allah

[safs_98]

Yea I'm familiar with all of that too and I cook them...bless your future wife..you chose to love the foods with the most work :D
I used to stuff grape leaves with my mom and I'd be complaining the entire time ;D She'll say watch one day you'll get married to someone who's in love with them so you better learn now ;D Now I'm a pro at making them mashallah, but they're not my fave food..i make them for everyone else. So it's totally a dish of love. Stuffing veggies for us is also a sign of who can cook and who can't :D if you pierce your veggies as you core them, you're screwed. I have yet to cook and stuff intestines..i can't believe you watched the process and still had an appetite mashallah loool In Saudi they boil them too and I don't think they know about the fry/broil method.




That's one of my pet-peeves..when people get all picky about eating leftover foods. Alhemdulilah I don't have to deal with that..there's rarely any leftovers in the first place ;D Also if there's leftovers here in Saudi, some families give the food away to workers or for others to take home with them. Or they freeze it and they heat it up with other side dishes. NOt all do that though, I've heard of people throwing food away, lots of food, which makes me so mad. I haven't come across it personally though alhemdulilah, but you know vids go around.




looooooool omg OK so when they eat, they're not barbaric ;D ;D The way they do it is they form the rice in their hand like a kufta (like a meat kebab shape lol) and they eat it..its not as unsanitary as you think it is loool now imagine the plate divided like a pizza, each slice is a territory. They begin from the outermost side and eat in towards the center. As the plate empties from in front of them, they will take from the surrounding areas so as long as it's not from someone else's "territory." So technically, the rice that is between people is untouched by anyone and safe to eat. I hope that makes some sense?? Also you got that one guy who's being generous and throwing pieces of meat to everyone telling them that they got the best piece ;D ;D

‎السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
Just got back from my trip to Saudi (came for Umrah )
In Mecca we took breakfast with our hotel and it's sad to say but the amount of food that I saw that got wasted ! Not sure what the hotel did with all that but hopefully they gave it out rather than throwing it away.

[safs_98]

Bought a SIM card in saudi from Mobily , because I only gave for Umrah they gave me a SIM card that only lasts for 3 months , they asked for my passport and took my finger print. If this may help got my SIM card in Medinah as I first started in Medinah then proceeded to Mecca

[safs_98]

Bought a SIM card in saudi from Mobily , because I only gave for Umrah they gave me a SIM card that only lasts for 3 months , they asked for my passport and took my finger print. If this may help got my SIM card in Medinah as I first started in Medinah then proceeded to Mecca

Came for Umrah *

[safs_98]

I have a question regarding the meat in Saudi ? Is it 100% halaal because I heard people saying that the imported meat isn't halaal ? And is it true that the local meat suppliers some of them use the tape recorder to slaughter ?

[AabiruSabeel]

:salam:

I have a question regarding the meat in Saudi ? Is it 100% halaal because I heard people saying that the imported meat isn't halaal ? And is it true that the local meat suppliers some of them use the tape recorder to slaughter ?

Local meat slaughter houses in KSA have men who slaughter by hand.

For imported meat, nobody can say for sure. They say it is Islamically slaughtered for export to KSA but who knows? Can we really trust Brazilian and Australian slaughter houses? They even mark Halal certification on Fish packets.

[safs_98]

:salam:



Local meat slaughter houses in KSA have men who slaughter by hand.

For imported meat, nobody can say for sure. They say it is Islamically slaughtered for export to KSA but who knows? Can we really trust Brazilian and Australian slaughter houses? They even mark Halal certification on Fish packets.

Thank you for the clarification:) much appreciated

[safs_98]

:salam:



Local meat slaughter houses in KSA have men who slaughter by hand.

For imported meat, nobody can say for sure. They say it is Islamically slaughtered for export to KSA but who knows? Can we really trust Brazilian and Australian slaughter houses? They even mark Halal certification on Fish packets.

When you say they regarding fish
Saudi or ??

[AabiruSabeel]

When you say they regarding fish
Saudi or ??

I mean imported ones. Not all, but it has been reported several times. Fish is already Halal and there is no need to slaughter it to make it Halal.

[safs_98]

I mean imported ones. Not all, but it has been reported several times. Fish is already Halal and there is no need to slaughter it to make it Halal.

Yeah exactly fish is already halaal so what's the need for the halaal certification?

[sister herb]

Yeah exactly fish is already halaal so what's the need for the halaal certification?

Seems that producers of imported fish don´t know that the fish is halal. That tells a lot about their knowledge.

[taha_]

Assalam o Alaikum rahamutullahi wa barakuthu.

I have went to Saudi Arabia when I was kid back in 2010.

Has anything changed? How are the people there?

How was the development of the country?

is living there feels difficult? I don't remember the enviroment of Mecca. What about medina? I have never went to medina before.

Is Saudi arabia polluted or clean and green? Is there any trash?

jazakAllah khair

[*charisma*]

Walaikum Assalaam wa rahmatallahi wa barakatuh

Has anything changed? How are the people there?

Since 2010, yes a lot has changed. It's becoming a bit more modern now. Women can drive, easier to get visas for umrah, tourism visas on arrival, etc.

How was the development of the country?

With the expected boom in tourism, there is a speed in developing better kinds of entertainment, hotel services, restaurants, etc.

is living there feels difficult? I don't remember the enviroment of Mecca. What about medina? I have never went to medina before.

I loved living there. It is not difficult at all, but of course this always depends on how well you can sustain yourself in any country. However living in Muslims lands always feels incredible, even nonMuslims that live there agree. Madina is very peaceful and beautiful.

[taha_]

Assalam o Alaikum rahamutullahi wa baraktuhu.

JazakAllah khair. Is it expensive country?

[*charisma*]

Walaikum Assalaam

JazakAllah khair. Is it expensive country?

No i wouldn't say it is. Although it depends on where you come from because if you are not a citizen there are fees you have to pay to stay in the country.

[taha_]

Assalam o Alaikum rahamutullahi wa barakuthu.


JazakAllah khair for your info.