The Holy Prophet Muhammad: A shining example to follow
Some of the fears being expressed in the wake of the upset victory of Donald Trump in the US presidential election may be exaggerated. But there is enough reason to worry over the rise…
Articles
Columns and opinion pieces, in English and Arabic.
Showing 21–40 of 114
Let’s make Saudi Vision 2030 a reality!
According to a report in a local newspaper, the government will start paying contractors within the next two weeks and up to 80 percent of the money owed will be paid by the end…
Impress people with your mind, not your wealth!
Reports of wealthy Gulf Arabs being robbed in Europe are now a common occurrence. Last week masked men stopped a car heading from Le Bourget airport in Paris and robbed the two occupants of…
Donald Trump in the White House? Not to worry!
I am always amazed at Arab reaction to the results of US elections. This year saw the winner Donald Trump an outsider to the American political scene beat the Arab favorite Hillary Clinton. This…
Will the Arabs ever learn?
In 48 hours Americans go to the polls and the new entrant to the White House will be packing his or her personal belongings for a four-year stay. Also in the next 48 hours,…
Checks and balances are needed to raise government employee productivity
There have recently been many discussions about the productivity of Saudi employees, especially those in the public sector. This subject became more intense after the former Minister of Civil Service Khaled Al-Araj claimed that…
Change the kafala system!
I have been reading about changes in the labor laws and kafala (sponsorship) system in Qatar. I have been involved with sponsors for the last 28 years. But don’t get me wrong – I…
Just not surprised at Congress’ act
September was a very eventful month for the Kingdom. The main news was the Justice Against Sponsor of Terrorism Act (JASTA) bill approved overwhelmingly by both the US Senate and the Congress, following the…
Significant speech silences doubters
Ever since the Syrian conflict began and assumed ominous proportions questions were raised about Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the humanitarian relief programs. Large-scale migration of Syrians scrambling on any vessel to escape the horrors…
Economic ties with China a key positive measure
Once termed by Napoleon Bonaparte as the “sleeping giant,” China has now woken up and is living up to his prophecy: “The giant sleeps, and let it, for should it wake the world will…
Be humble, the chair you are sitting on is temporary!
A Saudi female graduate of a prestigious American university told me that on a visit to the United States last month, she sent a note to the president of the university expressing her intent to…
Who are the real enemies of India and Pakistan?
The state of affairs in the subcontinent is alarming. The high-pitched frenzy of hatred and toxic words by established and wannabe public figures has affected a large segment of the population, especially in India…
US election? For Arabs it doesn’t matter who wins
The moment of truth for Americans and the world will be decided on November 8. In the coming weeks, the frenzy of the election campaign between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will reach an…
Saudi Vision 2030 requires comprehensive implementation
The Saudi Vision 2030 transformation plan has come under great public scrutiny. It has also aroused the interest of many outside the country. For the first time in Saudi history, a well-crafted plan has…
When will the Kashmir killings stop?!
Once again Kashmir is in the headlines. The killing of over 50 protestors, the blinding of youngsters and arrests en masse have occurred. The usually volatile Indian media has been silent except for those…
A deadly threat!
Every day the media focuses on the deteriorating political and economic situation in the Arab world. In the Gulf states, the challenge is how to overcome terrorism. However, there is a far greater threat of which…
Pokémon Go: The new bogeyman
In every period of history there are characters or issues that seem to disturb people and cause anxiety or fear. They are referred to as “bogeymen”. There have been many such bogeymen in history…
Counter Islamophobes with positive narrative
Terrorist attacks — whether in the West or East — reflect criminal behavior and adherence to that mindset. With every attack — unless the perpetrator has a Muslim name — no mention of his…
The Arab world has had enough!!
The three-pronged attack in Jeddah, Qatif and the holy city of Madinah truly shocked all of us. The last one, near the Prophet’s Mosque, touched the ethos of Muslims and people of other faiths…
Between the two points of darkness
I had just read a WhatsApp message on the tragic death of the brother of a former colleague of ours who was killed in a car accident in the Eastern Province a few hours…