I am writing to offer my thanks for the article Saudization and expatriates (July 17) by Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi. As a British citizen of Pakistani origin, I have found it difficult to comprehend the reasons why some Saudis seem to be racist in their beliefs and actions.

We have always been taught to look up to Muslim Arabs, especially those of the Land of Hijaz. On the one hand, it is pleasing to see so many Saudis exceed all expectations of generosity, hospitality, welfare, manners, respect regardless of origin and Shariah compliance.  However, on the other hand, I have to say that I find it disturbing that so many figures of authority consider expatriates as a scourge and as parasites.

Considering that the Kingdom gave the world many things including, human rights, welfare, justice, and respect for Arabs, non-Arabs and foreigners alike, then why is it that while Saudi Arabia is a part of the G20, it does not appear to be very interested in recovering its lead in these matters?

Dr. Al-Ghamdi's article was most enlightening, and I am sure that as long as people like him are among us it will be possible that the problems of Saudi unemployment can be eliminated without blaming the blameless.

It is worth mentioning that other societies have had and are still encountering similar problems, but they do not blame the weak and under-trodden as the cause. When the UK had to dispense with its outdated manufacturing employment base in the 1980s, it started investing heavily in alternatives including specialist manufacturing and high-tech industries. China will be facing similar problems in the not too distant future, and their government has put a plan in place so that China moves away from low-tech manufacture, to high-tech IT-based industries/services within the next 20 years.

And as Dr. Al-Ghamdi points out, it is unlikely that we will have Saudi plumbers or barbers, but what is there to stop even more investment in the fields of technology, medicine, science including nano and biotechnology, crop technology, and specialist engineering including aerospace, so that in 20 or 30 years the Kingdom can be proud of its extensive contribution and worldwide exports in these and other specialist fields.



Mohammed Hussain, By email