Saudi Arabia Q&A

[*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 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 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 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 .

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/New...lgo_pvid=8108e548-57f9-4dc3-a972-747fd311ca49

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 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 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

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

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

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' .

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 .

 

[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

 

[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

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

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
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 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