Working in the Middle East - Saudi Arabia

Working in the Middle East

Strictly speaking, when working abroad, one is not classified as a tourist. However, it is a great way to experience living in a foreign land and interacting with other cultures. Working in Saudi Arabia also enables you to visit neighboring countries and cities such as Dubai, Bahrain, Jordon, Egypt, Qatar, Oman and other countries at affordable rates.

Working in the Middle East is definitely a life changing experience. It could be the next exciting move you make both  personally and professionally.

My husband and I are currently working in Saudi Arabia. I am teaching at Princess Nora University in Riyadh. It is the first women's university in Saudi Arabia and the largest women-only university in the world, composed of 32 campuses across the Riyadh region.

We have had many ups and downs but anyone who has been here will tell you that it is no bed of roses. But with an open mind, patience and tolerance you will find that the reward is definitely sweet!

The first year is always the hardest and you may have to make some lifestyle adjustments. But really, at the end of the day, it's not that bad especially if you stay focused on your goals. When the going gets tough, just think about that fat tax-free paycheck at the end of the month.

With hard work, sacrifice and a whole lot of patience, it could actually help settle all your debt back home and enable you to plan for your future with a clean slate. Not many people get this great opportunity.

As a South African Muslim, we are blessed  and grateful for this opportunity to work here and be so close to the two Holy cities Makkah and Madina. We all know how expensive it is  to visit the holy land from South Africa. Working here enables you to visit Makkah and Madina with your family anytime you choose.



Get the correct visa to make your life easier:

The correct visa to get is the employment visa, however it is common that people come over and work here on a temporary business visa. Strictly speaking, it is not legal to work on that visa but somehow it is 'acceptable'.

I will absolutely NOT recommend that  people especially women come here on a business visa. People are willing to work in the middle east to save money but also to travel.
With a business visa, this is not possible. This is also the reason why my husband and I are not able to go back home this year and spend Ramadaan and Eid with our family.

We cannot leave the country as we will have trouble getting back into Saudi.
During the end of 1st semester vacation, many teachers were stranded all over the world because of the business visa. Some of them were even detained and deported. If you leave the country without a re-entry visa, you will have to get a new visa. This could take time and also become costly.
So please make sure that you come over on the proper employment visa to avoid unnecessary drama.

Requirements for work visa

This visa is issued to those who have the qualifications due and selected to fill in a vacant job in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi establishment must obtain Work Visas from the concerned authorities in the Kingdom.
 When applying for this visa the following must be submitted to the approved agent.
1.    A copy of the follow-up receipt showing the visa number issued from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
2.    The electronic visa authorization.
3.    The age of the applicant must not be less than 22 years.
4.    A copy of the employment contract signed by both parties.
5.    Passport valid for at least six months.
6.    Copies of academic certificates and practical experience authenticated by the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
7.    A medical report (the medical form and list of authorized labs can be obtained from authorized visa agents).
8.    Police Clearance Certificate.
9.    Two recent colored (6x4) personal photographs where the background must be white.

Benefits of working in Saudi Arabia:

The employment packages on offer vary from company to company within the Middle East.

Depending on the company and location, the salaries on offer differ.

They are dependent on the years of post graduate experience.

Packages in Saudi Arabia usually include:

• 12 month contract with the potential to renew on an annual basis

• TAX FREE Salary range between $3,000 to $4,000 (  per month  

(dependent upon qualifications and experience)

• 1 Round trip ticket or airfare per year for you and 3 other members of your family.

• End of contract bonus

• 30 days paid vacation per contract plus university-approved holidays

• Company paid medical insurance coverage for you and your family.

• Provided accommodation OR a monthly housing allowance.

• Provided transportation to and from work OR a transport allowance of 1,000 SAR (approx. $267) per month

NB: - Packages vary

Before applying to any company, ensure that you have the following requirements:

-          M.A./M.S. TESOL or M.A./M.S Linguistics OR

-        M.A./M.S./ Bachelors/Btech degree in any field including a CELTA or TESOL/TEFL certificate   of at least120hours in person with no online component.

-       At least two years teaching experience

-      Applicants must be NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKERS

-    Applicants must hold an American, Canadian, British, South African, Australian or New Zealand Passport.

So do you qualify and are you ready to take that plunge? Or do you know anyone who might be interested? If so, feel free to contact me for more information, tips and contacts.

Good Luck!

Email: muneerah_786@hotmail.com

Facebook Page:  Tourism Buzz

Twitter: @tourismbuz

Blog: http://dreamdepo.blogspot.com/2012/07/working-in-middle-east-saudi-arabia.html

                                Go snorkeling and scuba-diving in the Red Sea!

  

Odd One Out! - My Hijab Story

Odd One Out!

Growing up I always felt like the odd one out! Even amongst my own family and friends. I felt somewhat misunderstood. I never really just followed what others did. "So surely there must be something wrong her, why doesn’t she do what we do?" I could feel the stares just walking into a room.

I just ignored all judgments!  Didn’t ever care what people thought of me, after all, they are just people – we should be more concerned about what our Creator thinks of us!

I thank and praise Allah/God Almighty for granting me parents who taught me to stand firm in my belief Alhamdulilah/Praise Be To God and not to be influenced easily.

Yes, choosing to do the right thing can be a lonely road at times but with patience and trust in Allah,  surely you will be rewarded.

I always felt judged because of the way I looked or dressed. I felt invisible to the world until one day, one man looked passed my outer covering and saw me. 

A good caring husband who truly loves me unconditionally was my reward!

To all the ladies out there! Yes we all love attention, we also want a good caring partner for life! By flaunting your assets, sure you will get lots of attention – just not the right kind from the right guy!

Yes, it can be a lonely tough road at times. You may even be subjected to unfair discrimination. I know that in some countries hijab is banned, 

 but it is completely against the South African Law:

THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH AFRICA

Section 9 Equality

(3) The state may not unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more grounds, including race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language and birth.

(4) No person may unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more grounds in

terms of subsection (3). National legislation must be enacted to prevent or prohibit unfair discrimination.

http://www.usig.org/countryinfo/laws/South%20Africa/The%20Constitution%20of%20South%20Africa%209.pdf

Even though this is clearly stated in our constitution, Muslim women in South Africa - myself included, are still subjected to unfair discrimination. See articles below:

Edcon investigates discrimination claim

December 6 2005 at 03:23pm

By Thomas Hartleb

Retailer Edcon is investigating whether a Muslim woman was discriminated against when told the success of her application for a job rested on whether she was willing to remove her headscarf.

"When we conclude that investigation, we will determine a course of action based on our corporate policy," Edcon chief executive Stephen Ross said on Tuesday.

"Under the laws of our constitution every party to a dispute has the right to a fair hearing."

Ross said the company employed a "diverse group of associates", some wearing headscarves, some a crucifix and some the Star of David with their store uniform.

According to the Media Review Network (MRN) and the Muslim Judicial Council, a manager at the CNA in Canal Walk, Cape Town, allegedly told Muneerah Kriel her interview was a waste of time if she was not willing to remove her headscarf.

"The MRN would like to appeal to Edcon to categorically make an announcement on the matter and also to apologise to Muneerah Kriel for the way she was treated by the manager of CNA," said spokeswoman Nabeweya Malick.

"We call on Edcon to afford Muneerah an opportunity to be re-interviewed and to be assessed on merit."

Malick claimed Kriel was also asked to remove her headscarf on a previous occasion, after being accepted for training at the Indaba curio shop at the Waterfront in Cape Town.

A manager told her she would have to do so to secure her position, but she refused to comply and explained why the wearing of a headscarf was compulsory for Muslim women, Malick said.

In a similar incident on October 27, prison authorities dismissed a Muslim social worker for wearing a headscarf to work.

Fairouz Adams, a social worker at Worcester prison in the Western Cape, was dismissed for having "violated the corporate identity of the department of correctional services."

Eddy Johnson, spokesperson for the regional chapter of the department, said Adams was "summoned to a disciplinary hearing at which she was then found guilty of violating the dress code". Johnson said Adams had the option of appealing her dismissal.

Malick said Adams's case had still not been resolved. - Sapa

http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/edcon-investigates-discrimination-claim-1.260725?ot=inmsa.ArticlePrintPageLayout.ot

Former employee takes CNA to CCMA

October 6 2006 at 12:41pm

By Moses Mdewu Mackay

Muneerah Kriel, 21, had applied for a sales assistant position at CNA in Canal Walk, Cape Town.

She claimed that during the interview, then-manager Pamela Brooke allegedly told her that she would not get the job unless she agreed to remove her headscarf.

In an earlier report, Brooke said: "This is in terms of security. If she wears her headscarf her vision would be obscured. Why must she have this huge headscarf? I don't know why she is going on this crusade."

Brooke said the problem was the size of the scarf and that Muslim staff could wear scarves that complied with the store's dress code.

Speaking to Cape Argus this week, Kriel said Brooke had left the company after the incident, and that she had since testified at Brooke's CCMA hearing in June.

The hearing resumed at the CCMA offices in Darling Street on Tuesday, but a commissioner said the media had been barred. An official later said the case had been postponed to November 20.

Kriel said the company had apologised but she wanted Brooke to apologise too.

Edcon executive manager for employee relations, Melanie Naidu, refused to disclose the outcome of the disciplinary action against Brooke, but said she had contested the company's decision.

http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/former-employee-takes-cna-to-ccma-1.296567?ot=inmsa.ArticlePrintPageLayout.ot

Yes, on two occasions I was denied a job, not because I was incapable, but because I chose to exercise my constitutional right to freely practice my religion.

You think that my hijab is a sign of oppression? Nay, it is my FREEDOM! I am free from the trap of materialism! No one dictates to me what I should or what I shouldn’t wear this season!

You think that my hijab is a sign of weakness? Nay, it is my STRENGTH! I am strong enough to stand up for what I believe in – even if that means I have to stand alone!

You think that my hijab silences me? Nay, I command RESPECT without having to utter a word!

You think that my hijab is dangerous? Nay, it is my PROTECTION! Hijab is a righteous deed and it is a sign of honor and equality with men and stands as a shield of protection against evil men.

You think that my hijab hides my true personality and that I live a boring life? Nay, my hijab is my IDENTITY!  I am not afraid to be different , stand out and shine! Use it to your advantage. Be unique, people will remember you!

You still think I am the odd-one-out? Well look at me now!

                                Number one on the racetrack and at the finish line! :-)

So you see, I can achieve and have as much fun as anyone else in this world. As they say, 'Never judge a book by its cover' or should I say, - Never judge a woman by her cover!  ;-)

Peace, LOVE and Happiness ~ Muneerah Kriel, July 2012

Far More Precious Than Diamonds and Pearls –Muhammad Ali

The following incident took place when Muhammad Ali's daughters arrived at his home wearing clothes that were not modest. Here is the story as told by one of his daughters:
When we finally arrived, the chauffer escorted my younger sister, Laila, and me up to my father's suite. As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us. We exchanged many hugs and kisses as we could possibly give in one day.
My father took a good look at us. Then he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will never forget.

He looked me straight in the eyes and said,
"Hana, everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to.

Where do you find diamonds? 

Deep down in the ground, covered and protected.

Where do you find pearls? 

Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell.

Where do you find gold? 

Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock.

You've got to work hard to get to them."

He looked at me with serious eyes. 

"Your body is sacred. You're far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too."  

~ Muhammad Ali

Farasan experience

This really is an untouched part of the world. Located off the coast of Jizan in the south of Saudi Arabia. The Island was fairly easy to get to with the local ferry which is FREE and can easily accommodate 100s of passengers and light duty cars.The tickets can be obtained at the Jizan port,a passport or Iqama is needed to book. Lines can be long at time so come early. The Ferry leaves at 7am sharp. Transport or local mini vans are available though sparingly. The cost will be 5 Riyal a trip,best to do is to find a local driver and get his number. I traveled all over the Island and the cost was minimal this way,remember bargaining is a culture here so try to get a deal with the driver for the weekend. 

I stayed at the SASO Hotel at the cost of 200SAR per night. The accommodation was adequate. The bathroom and rooms were clean and the hotel had a very nice garden out back. I had a wonderful experience diving off the coast of the smaller islands. The coral is untouched and there is plenty of wildlife about. In one day I managed to swim with a sea turtle,sting ray and many colorful fish. I visited about three smaller islands by speedboat which can be rented per hour for approximately 150 to 200 SAR per hour. These boats are located close to the port by the Coral hotel. My second day on the main Island we stayed at the Coral hotel. The hotel has a semi private beach with outside accommodation styled in "traditional motif" from the province. The main hotel was simple and adequate. The best attraction of the hotel is the view of the ocean and the manicured grass and palm trees. 

Our group left the island late the evening on Friday and we headed to the main port. The ferry leaves at 14:00 the afternoon so we opted for the adventurous trip back in the small speedboats. These boats cost 50SAR per person with a minimum of 8 people before departure. This part of our trip was an unusual  adventure in KSA as the Farasan Islands is a gateway for illegal immigrants this area was patrolled by uniformed military. It wasn't a major hassle to get on a boat but make sure you have a copy of your Iqama or passport ready. Overall my stay on the Islands was amazing,we had great sights,amazing fish bought at the local market and a sense of "Island lifestyle" in Saudi Arabia.

Visited May 2012 - {Waseem Frieslaar}

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