Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi

After writing an article about expatriates in this newspaper, I received a large number of e-mail messages from expatriates expressing their delight and appreciation for the article. Apart from this, as many as 45 readers posted their comments on the website of the newspaper commending me for writing about expatriates and their outstanding services to various spheres of the nation-building process.



In the article, I emphasized that Saudis must recognize the value of expatriates and their contributions and services to the nation, especially the services of those who have spent many years in the country. I stressed that these expatriates must be honored and that Saudis must express their appreciation for the services they have provided to the country. I said that these expatriates must be able to return home with positive feelings about this country and its people. These people can be real ambassadors for the Kingdom instead of letting them leave the country frustrated and exasperated because their efforts have not been appreciated.



I concluded the article with a proposal to Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, deputy premier and minister of interior, that expatriates who have spent long years in the Kingdom be granted special medals or merit certificates that will give them the right to visit the Kingdom at any time and to obtain free-of-charge visit visas from Saudi embassies or consulates.



My suggestion was to recognize these people for their sweat and toil for the welfare of our country as well as to garner their love and friendship for our nation even after their departure to their homeland. Among the e-mail messages that I received after publishing the article, the message sent by one Alex Joseph impressed me a lot. I appreciate his words and sentiments. Joseph spent several years in the Kingdom and still cherishes his affectionate and warm feelings for this nation even after his final exit. I share his message with readers because it shows the real love and true feelings of an expatriate after bidding farewell to the Kingdom.



Alex Joseph wrote:  "I came to Saudi Arabia in 1983 at the age of 28 and left the Kingdom in 2014 after serving 31 years. I got married after I came to the Kingdom. My two sons were born and brought up in the Kingdom. I was in Riyadh for the first 10 years and in Jeddah for the rest of my time in the Kingdom. You see, I spent more years in the Kingdom than in my homeland! Now I am back home but I feel like an expat here.



"What many Saudis perhaps fail to understand is that for many expatriates like me Saudi Arabia has become our first home. Whenever I say or hear 'Jeddah', a sword pierces my heart.  Oh, I miss it so much!



"In every nation there are good guys and bad guys, but only in Saudi Arabia have I seen 99 percent good guys. In all my years in the Kingdom, I was treated with dignity and warmth and being a non-Muslim hardly made any difference.



"Yet you are right, I left the Kingdom with a heavy heart knowing that in order to visit the beloved country where my dreams blossomed and bore fruit, I would have to start all over again like a total stranger. I would definitely love to have a chance to re-visit the Kingdom, stroll along the Corniche, smell the Red Sea, eat shawarma and wake up with the familiar sound of the 'adman'.  I retired as a highly paid executive and I am living comfortably with my earnings. Now that both of my sons are working away from home, my wife and I long to be back home in Jeddah with a small job to meet our expenses. Just to be 'home'.



"Thank you for the enthralling article. Your sincerity and warmth seeps through the lines. I am indeed deeply moved. With warm regards, Alex Joseph"



All the e-mail messages that I have received and the comments that I have read on the newspaper’s website made me joyful and profoundly satisfied. But the message of Joseph had an electrifying impact that reminded me about the countries where I spent several years while serving as a diplomat and of my friends in those countries.



Joseph had the feeling of safety and security throughout his years in the Kingdom where he had a decent living with good pay and where his children were born and brought up. Finally, he left for his homeland for good and there he still cherishes sweet memories and affection for the country that he considers his second homeland.



Here, I am repeating my proposal to the Crown Prince with the hope that he may instruct the concerned authorities to translate this into action so as to serve the broader interests of the nation, and in honor of those expatriates who passionately love the Kingdom. I also suggest that those expatriates who left the Kingdom should form organizations and groups with the objective of strengthening the bonds of love and friendly relations between the Kingdom and their respective countries and people.    



Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi is a former Saudi diplomat who specializes in Southeast Asian affairs. He can be reached at algham@hotmail.com