All My Books Facebook Photos Album!
All My Books Presentation!
Photo Album!
From The Newest One First! Books 52 to 01!
More here –
All My Books Facebook Photos Album!
All My Books Presentation!
Photo Album!
From The Newest One First! Books 52 to 01!
More here –
My New Books!
(53rd) – That Is The Way It Is! 54th – Still That Is The Way It Is!
www.createspace.com/6804565 www.createspace.com/6817074
Front Covers
Books Introduction
After my last book 52 titled All My MAS Books! www.createspace.com/6306051 and the last book on the series Between Us Only! titled Wipe My Tears! www.createspace.com/4304972 – I became very sick and was admitted in Royal Hospital in Oman from November 2015 to January 2016 when I was operated for Prostate Operation – thankfully malign!
I lapsed into a Coma State in ICU – Intensive Care Unit EER – in December 2015 and was there for more than a month!
Unknown to me at the time, there was a Court case placed against me by One International Home Bank against my defunct Consultancy – Management & Marketing Development Consultancy – MMDC – which had collapsed and gone bankrupt in January 2001 – that is 15 years ago – and still being followed and being traumatized to date!
The TRUTH be told also –
SIMPLY NO ONE had contacted me from the Bank or from anyone else! For Plus 12 years!
Today I have LOST MY PERSONAL FREEDOM and Civil Status too – sadly to the Most Committed Loyal True Feeling Sincere Citizen and National. My GMC Yukon they refused to renew The Mulkiya which expired since April 2016.
I am just paying The PDCs and if I do not another issue will arise. This Bank has billions to offer Big Cmpanies but they still go to Retired Omani Pensioners with a vengeance drawing blod from stone! Al Hamdu Lillah!
Oman & The World Please Note!
Nothing has changed much in Oman despite all my writings in my columns and books – the columns that ran for more than 15 years before being targeted and killed off in 2013 – on a technicality – but frankly I think more on their designs policing to subdue people speaking The Truth! The games of The Mafias usually run and led by sadly our Indian friends dominating The Media in Oman – and tragically more by our own Omanis – The Old Guards!
The articles in this book are mainly centred on the above aspects as now being denied the public route through my Oman Daily Observer in my columns Between Us Only! and At My Workplace!
I decided to add this book 53 to my series of books – with due apologies to The Reader that the emphasis and concentration in this book was what was happening to me at the time – and to compile the subjects topics under this book 53 – That Is The way It Is!
When people cannot expect justice because you have No Wastah or with being famous and rich – then writing to your own heart and conscience is the only way left!
Al Hamdu Lillah! Hasbiya Allah Wa Naymat Wa Kyll!
The Author
December 17, 2016
****
Prophet Nabii Daud David RA Sura Sad 22 – 26.
Surah Sad – Nabii Daud RA The Holy Quran
****
When You Fail To Get Your Haqq Justice & Rights!
When you fail to get your Haqq Rights and Justice on earth surely on The Day of Reckoning in front of Allah SWT God Al Mighty you will get it there where you need it more and where those responsible from Head of Courts Judges Banks Leadership wii be brought forward for Due Punishment – and could start on earh first then punishments in their graves too. Allah Akbar. Allah Kareem! God is Great!
****
About The Book!
This book 53nd is The Sequel to my earlier 52 books to date!
After my last book, I was admitted in Royal Hospital for a Prostate operation that ended me falling into a coma state in ICU – Intensive Care Unit – EER – for almost a month! See B – The Prophet’s Dream!
The book ontains all the articles and topics that I had posted in My Websites Blogs and The Social Media since the 52nd book.
The book can also stand on its own to describe all my 52 books to date! 6 books on Arab Management, 3 on Road Safety, 6 on My Autobiography (The Story of My Life!) – 12 on my Columns Writings ‘Between Us Only!’ and ‘At My Workplace!’ and the rest on assorted topics!
The book is a bird’s eye view on all about all my books and from all my varied articles to date! The books produced here are in main part linked to me as Majid aka as Magic – Magic Man as the pseudonym I used in ‘The Forums’! Also interestingly the article – Why Do They Call You Magic? Also Who Is Majid? And My Epitaph! The articles are also about My Family and My Late Parents – Peace Be Upon Them!
I hope you will like reading about me!
People were always asking me – Why don’t you write a book about yourself and all your books as at one stop centre? The story of your life? All about your books! So people can remember you and your works – and as a Memory and Record for all your works to date!
I then decided to accept the challenge and write this book. Like the other books – I have tried to be as factual as possible – and with my usual style of writing of speaking to you directly from my heart – and to be as sincere, genuine, frank, forthright as possible – so that this book can not only be used in Research works – but as a Guide and Beacon for the children, grandchildren, great grandchildren – and future generations by the Grace of Allah God – Ameen Amen.
The Author – December 16, 2016
****
Images For Demonstration Purposes Only!
Prophetic Supplications for Trials
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The supplication of my brother Dhun Nun (Yunus, peace be upon him), who called on Allah while in the whale’s belly: ‘There is no deity but You. Glory be to You! Verily, I have been among the wrongdoers’ (Quran 21:87) – no Muslim person says it, for any situation whatsoever, except that Allah Most High answers his call.” [Tirmidhi]
La ilaha illa Anta, Subhanaka, inni kuntu mina z-zalimin.
لا إلهَ إلا أنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظّالِمِيْنَ
2- “O Allah! There is no ease except that which You make easy, and indeed You, when You want, make difficulties easy.” [Sahih Ibn Hibban]
My Facebook 2016 Video – Majid Al Suleimany –
My New Books Website!
Incorporating all my books at one place centre – A Bird’s eye view of all my books!
Books Locations At –
All My Books (CreateSpace Amazon) 33 out of 37 books visible at one place. One Stop Information Centre!
Books Facebook Page –
https://www.facebook.com/My-Majid-Books-149327601800586/?ref=bookmarks
Books Websites – http://www.myownmajid.com
http://www.myown-ebooks.com and http://www.omaniauthors.com
Books Presentations (Various)
PDO Talents Day 2014
Please Support Us Omani Authors too!
PDO Talents Day 2 PDO Talents Day
In The Bookshops (Family)
muscat-airport[2] waves-2[3]
Home Library!
Books Home Library
Majis MISC Sohar 2015
MISC Display
Full Books PDF List To Download
MAS Full Books List Updated 03.2016
Books Recognition USA 2014
USA Gold Seal
BookCoverImage[1] 37A – Front Cover 13A – What They Said
All My Books (CreateSpace Amazon)
33 out of 37 books visible at one place.
One Stop Information Centre!
You can find all my books here at one place!
http://omaniauthors.com/2015/09/05/one-stop-centre-on-all-my-books/
Or Go here –
Trafford Books (3)
More Information Here –
Best Regards
Majid Al Suleimany
My Books Website
Simply let no one meddle in your life – and with your wellbeing and happiness!
A long time ago, I had a major operation at Royal Hospital in Oman. Perhaps it was the post operation tantrums – but I was crying profusely and uncontrollably! Then this nice Omani Lady Doctor came over to me and asked me what was the matter – and why I was crying after having a major operation? It was not safe nor good for you Ami (Uncle)!?
I told her it was already 5.30 pm and only half an hour left for visiting time and that morning at 10 a.m. I had this major operation. There was no one at my bedside – all alone! The Filipino Nurse was telling the Indian Nurse – Tell him in English! He is ‘fluent in English’ more! The Indian Nurse was urging me to ‘wake up and open your eyes Uncle’ in Arabic! After the effects of the operation’s anaesthesia!
The Nice Good Lady Doctor – who came later on to meet me again in another medical situation – Diabetic First Time Attack – told me these words – which will stick with me to my dying day to my grave – In Life First is – You Majid! – Second is – You Majid! Third is – You Majid! Only!
The Rest – Your Wife, Children, Family, Relatives and Friends etc. – They can form their own queue after this! Remember This Always! – she actually was crying with me! Incidentally, she was a Married Doctor – with some of you with ‘dirty minds’ – but she was a very caring and feeling doctor – on her rounds to visit me!
Like I always say in my columns and books – and even the recent new book – Speak The Truth Only! – www.createspace.com/5640529 – Family and Relatives – after the Offices Environments with Bosses and Colleagues Peers – are The Worst Places where people take you for granted – and for most trouble making mischief and problems making – even affecting one’s livelihood, commonality and happiness.
Take Care!
By
Majid Al Suleimany
August 1st 2015
Never Ever Before Seen Forthrightness, Openness and Frankness In Writing!
Never Ever Before Seen Forthrightness, Openness and Frankness In Writing!
The New Book – Speak The Truth Only Always!
http://www.createspace.com/5640529
Two Samples of The Works!
M.04 Open Forums – Or Entrapments?
When I was working for this Oil Company at one time there was this Open Forum that anyone Staff – even Locals – could write to The Top Guys in Shell International in London and The Hague!
The Local Management were ‘encouraged’ to allow their people also to ‘contribute’. In hindsight, I think it was more an ‘An Entrapment’ to see who of the local guys more active and vocal – with ‘Yours Truly’ on board!
I used to raise many issues related to Omanisation (Localisation), Training and Development and Recruitment and Job Opportunities for The Omani Youth! This really incensed the Local Admin Director who kept on saying that as HR you are in Management and ‘supposed to defend ‘Management’!
I retorted that I was not ‘attacking any Management of any sort’ and that as HR was ‘The Conscience Keeper’ of The Establishment – and that ‘freedom of expression’ was guaranteed to us in ‘The Forums’ I had every right to participate!
This made him more mad by my obstinacy and vocalism! I knew I was not going to be promoted being under him anyway – or even get a higher bonus – so why the heck? Let me enjoy myself! They could not fire me anyway because the ‘Laws of The Country’ protected us (then!) and also I was doing my job quite well – with exceptional of this added irritant – especially to him!
Like many (Office) Dictators, he thought I was doing this especially as ‘I was planning to instigate an uprising to overthrow him! L L !
One day he came to my Office to try a different approach to say even if he wanted to promote me he could not – because of this element! As he ‘heard’ I was doing a good job otherwise!
Anyway, I stopped contributing when I heard people ‘outside the Offices’ talking about this – and when one in Nigeria wrote to me to put his case of Shell causing environmental disasters in Warri and The Nile Delta! I realized things were turning sour and deadly – and soon after Locals were ‘no longer allowed’ to participate due to ‘pressures beyond their control and coming from Outside The Company!
*******
M.05 The British Police Officer (in Oman)!
He was not in a Police Vehicle but though Police Registered the Peugeot 504 – always white colour – and I was behind him in my Toyota Crown when he went through a No Entry sign near The Offices Bank in those days. He came across to me on the other side of the road – again crossing a No Entry Sign as he blocked me as I was coming in!
He was fuming mad – and breathing heavily? He asked me why did I blow my car horn at him? As he was in Police Uniform? I said meekly to him – because as a Police Officer you had violated Traffic Rules – and you should know better! Whilst all the time putting a ‘brave front’ whilst shaking all inside! He wanted my Driving License and my PDO card. I was at first reluctant – but then I gave him.
He told me he was a ‘Personal Friend’ of a Top Public Official (also British!) and he will tell the MD about me! He wrote down my full name – my Personnel Number – and my Department!
Later on the good MD called me in his Office for a private chat – his good advice to be careful because ‘these guys (then!) could have you arrested for several days – or weeks even – without taking you to Court – even if you were right! It is his words against your – and guess whom The Judge will believe! He said tome things of ‘reality’ which even today I will not be able to put down here! L !
I found it strange and odd when he (The Police Official) said to me – As Officers in case of Emergencies – we can break the Laws! I do not know if going to the Bank was an emergency – unless it was only for him! L!
Charity Begins At Home! A Wake Up Call!
Whilst you are jovially feasting at Ramadhan Breakfast, please remember that Out There and in Oman there are people who are struggling hard to get a decent Futoor breakfast meal for themselves and their children! They are still proud people who do not want to stoop low to register themselves for Social Aid Packages!
Also please remember our Relatives and Family Members in Oman Interior and Outside Oman like in Tanzania etc. who are going without and their Ramadhan Breakfast Futoor Meal and Suhoor with boiled cassava and yam roots!
Please remember the foods we throw out in the dustbins that the cats now only sniff at!
Remember also those in wars like in Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Egypt, Palestine etc.
May Allah SWT Guide us all to The Right Path and Way Ameen!
Nobody knows what is awaiting us in the future – so let us just pray for now! Ameen Amen
Dear All and After Compliments;
After people both Citizens Residents Guests etc. Have suffered in silence and pain for the last 2 days the said in charge have still yet not got things right once again … and we still do not have water supply from the Main! 😦
After installing 2 tanks…should we install a third and a fourth now?
I think it was Pervez of Pakistan who said The Citizens do not care about grand projects but just the basic necessities of life like water electricity food housing security etc That means too Tourism Railways Grand Projects if we cannot even get the water situation right!
There is also the saying that if you see an elephant’s shit and you want to copy then great harm will come to your body..! acutely speaking!
PAEW should now fire the said contractors and all the officials involved…before we bring Fitnas Harm and Injuries Dhulum to The Citizens – especially already very much tired and pained to the limit…and the same for Ministry of Information because Governmental Newspapers do not hear us but controlled by Foreigners Mafia and culpable naïve and timid Locals Managers!
That is why my columns were killed.. because I dared to speak The Truth only!
Ever Loyal Citizen
PLEASE HELP US! PLEASE!!!
My Epitaph!
I Want To Be Remembered!
Majid Al Suleimany
November 24, 2012
Majid Epitaph (Legacy) – I want to be remembered!
Open Link Above.
Total 21 Books – 4 Arab Management – 3 Road Safety – 4 About My Books – 10 From Between Us Only!
A long time ago as a kid, I used to hear people talk about death and how they will go! I always wondered out aloud how I would go – if my turn came up next!
I always prayed that I would go sudden and people surprised he went away that fast! But I never want to cause trouble and inconveniences to others before I die – if I was to choose these things! But it is all in God Allah hands!
Anyway, I had this dream of ‘dying by starvation’ – I do not know what it meant! Was it going to be real as in the dream – or as a metaphor like liking to eat too much and getting fatter by day – and as now being diabetic case?
Or would it be like my late Father PBUH where he wanted food and water but was denied by The Doctors (they were using instead drips!) – because they needed to operate on his stomach – because there was a blockage in his small intestines – and till after the operation could be given food!
Anyway only God Allah SWT Knows these things best!
Sorry for a morbid subject!
Here lies a person who in all his life had acted and stood up for the rights of others – and to whatever extent and even harm and injury and damage to himself personally – and he went down that way!
Where he could change things himself he did – otherwise he spoke out for Change. Always wanted to be fair, just, professional, principled, correct and ethical in all things he did.
A person who was always sincere, genuine and honest – frank, open and forthright who always looked at The Bigger Picture – and never wanted things to go wrong as his focus and theme in life! Even though many of his efforts were never acknowledged, accepted and realized – and he became a victim himself in his life, career, and future and with his family too!
He wants to be remembered that way only!
Please Pray for Him – when they tell you he is gone!
Majid Said Nasser Al Suleimany
The Author –
November 24, 2012
This is me!
Behind The Wheel! Proof Prototype Review!
Open For Full Cover!
Behind The Wheel! Arabic – Proof Prototype Review!
With family members at Holy Month of Ramadhan Futur Breakfast yesterday Friday night July 11 2014!
Reviewing the book!
Best regards,
Majid Al Suleimany
The New Arabic – Behind The Wheel! Book Under Process of Publication!
ماجد السليماني
أن تكون سائقًا آمِنًا
تشير الإحصائيات إلى أن سلطنة عمان من بين البلدان التي تشهد أعلى عدد من الحوادث المرورية والإصابات الناجمة عنها على مستوى العالم. ومع انتشار السلوكيات المتهورة في قيادة السيارات فإنه من الأهمية بمكان البدء في تغيير الثقافة السائدة في استخدام الطرق. يقدم هذا الكتاب الجديد والرائد البراهين الدالّة على أهمية التزام قواعد السلامة أثناء قيادة المركبة.
يحفل الكتاب بالعديد من القصص المؤلمة والمؤثرة مُبيِّنًا مخاطر الطريق والثمن الباهظ الذي يدفعه السائق جرّاء تقصيره. ومع تأكيد كبار المسؤولين على أهمية السلامة على الطريق، آن الأوان ليكون سائقو المركبات أكثر حذرًا في القيادة. إن هذا الكتاب القيّم؛ “أن تكون سائقًا آمنًا! خلف عجلة القيادة! سرد جديد عن السلامة على الطريق” من شأنه أن ينقذ حياة الكثيرين في أنحاء البلاد.
يفتح هذا الكتاب أعيننا على أهمية السلامة على الطريق والقيادة الآمنة، وذلك من خلال مجموعة من القصص الواقعية يسردها ضحايا الحوادث المرورية الذين يرغبون بنقل تجاربهم للآخرين ومشاركتهم الدروس والعبر لتثقيف سائقي السيارات في كل مكان في الوطن. يجدر بكل من يمسك بعجلة القيادة أن يقرأ هذا الكتاب الذي لا يُقدّر بثمن ويمكنه أن ينقذ الكثيرين.
مستلهمًا الحادث المروّع الذي ألمّ بعائلة زميل لنا في العمل يسعى الكتاب إلى تشجيع القيادة الآمنة حول العالم. ويأمل الكتاب من خلال سرد قصص الحوادث المرورية والخسائر الناجمة عنها أن يلقى صداه لدى القُرّاء. إن القيادة المتهورة دائمًا لها عواقبها سواء نتجت عن الحادث إصابات أو خسائر في الأرواح أو الممتلكات أو حتى صدمات نفسية. يمنح هذا الكتاب قُرّاءه الأسباب المقنعة ليكونوا سائقين آمنين.
Behind The Wheel! – Being The Safe Driver!
The Sultanate of Oman has one of the highest numbers of automobile accidents and casualties in the world. With such rampant and reckless automobile behaviors on the rise, there has never been a better time to change the culture and safety of our roads. With this groundbreaking new book, drivers across the nation will finally have proof in hand as to why they should drive safer.
Filled with heartbreaking and emotional true stories, this illuminating book shows drivers everywhere the dangers of the road and the true cost of negligence. With high-ranking officials across the country acknowledging the importance of road safety, it is time for drivers everywhere to be more careful and drive safer. An invaluable road safety tool! Being the Safe Driver! Behind the Wheel, New Road Safety Novel can save lives all across the country.
This eye-opening book emphasizes the importance of road safety and careful driving through a collection of real-life stories from accident victims who share the hard experiences and lessons they learned in order to better educate drivers everywhere. A vital read for anyone behind the wheel, this priceless book has the ability to save lives!
Inspired by a horrific crash which took the lives of a coworker’s family, Being the Safe Driver! Behind The Wheel! strives to encourage safer driving across the world. Filled with dramatic, true stories of accidents and loss, the book’s poignant moments are sure to resonate with all readers. Whether an accident results in injury, property loss, or simply a shaken emotional self, reckless driving always has consequences. From horrible injuries to destroyed families, this enlightening book does a fantastic job of giving all readers reasons to become safe drivers.
http://www.createspace.com/4153269 – http://www.createspace.com/4097374
PDO Retiree Exhibits His 10 Books!
MAJID AL SULEIMANY BOOKS ORDERS
Majid Al Suleimany Books Display in PDO Talents Day May 12, 2014
Things Turning Bad Now!
People have told me that I have very good perception and observation skills and prowess and it shows even in my articles! Things that people have clearly seen but just not noticed – or simply ignored!
Despite the fact that Modi has not yet been declared winner of the Indian elections. his supporters and followers in our lands have started ‘tightening up the screws’ in his services – and like I have always said in my columns –
Biting the hand that feeds you – and ending licking the boot that will kick you out!
Proved right and correct in many instances and examples!
It starts to show in the articles and features in the especially English Newspapers – where the majority of their editing team are Foreigners – with just in name the locals as top guys – but all the shows are being done by the Mafias and supporting from inside and outside by The Old Guards!
An illustrative example was yesterday where I had gone to this Exchange House in Ruwi and this Indian guy was taking his time to pay me! My good sister had sent some money from UAE to help the family for the recent wedding of my daughter recently!
He was going about checking things and it went on for more than 10 minutes! It takes only 3 minutes for receiving payments from customers – let it be said!
Then he gave my papers to one young Omani boy to check on the Computer Records as if we were in a Public Place and as if I was receiving money from Al Qaeda or Laundry money! I am not that cheap anyway – at least for this amount of money sent!
I was getting angier and angier all the moments – until I burst out – When you have to pay to customers you take all your time – but receiving money? It is all different!
Incidentally they found simpy nothing IN MY RECORDS to stop me being paid!
Ali Baba’s List! Of thieves and muggers!
The Exchange Houses are supposedly owned by Locals here and in UAE – why do they employ these kind of peoples treating us like this – as if we are the strangers and they are the owners of the land? 😦
How long will these things go on before they explode in our faces? A cinder fire that is burning intensely underneath – till it spurts out with intensity, venom and disaster?
Last week at a place I worked as a HR Consultant this Omani Senior Person (!) wanted to go to the Ministry of Manpower to complain about her Indian boss who has recently turned more nasty towards her as his Assistant – and despite complaining to HR and GM (both Omanis) nothing has changed – from my famous expression always – Do not rock the boat! Even if your Omani Staff are suffering – and so long as you are okay! Sic! Double Sic! 😦 😦
I understand now why THEY Killed My Articles in my columns – but thanks to the Social Media – they cannot keep some of us down!
Our mistake for being so receptive, respecting and welcoming – and disunited, polarized and docile too! 😦 😦 😦
They cannot control and dominate Us! Because we speak our minds – and do not push the dirt under the carpet!
ALLAH KAREEM! GOD IS GREAT! ALR x 1000 times!
Sad and tragic!
Citizen Majid bin Said bin Nasser bin Zahor bin Salim bin Masoud bin Ali Al Suleimany
Manah / Hail A Ghaaf Quriyaat
Message to Our Leadership and Those That Really Care and Feel For Our Country – and wish to protect her from harm and injury – and to protect, preserve our achievements, destiny and Legacy – AMIN
My Late Father and I!
Message to The Mafias Especially – we are not all bumbling stupid fools! We have noticed already – and KEEPING WATCH!!
Oman – Please Do Not Cry For Me Anymore Now!
How Oman Has Changed In Its Ways!
Buying a car on Hire Purchase at age of 55 plus? Think Again!
A long time ago I walked into this car showroom in Ruwi and saw this beautiful car and immediately fell in love with it! It was the Pontiac Bonneville – now no longer made!
There was this nice old Oman man and he called me over and asked me if I liked the car? Maybe he saw me the way I was looking at it? I told him Yes – but will come in two months time to see what I could do! He asked me my name – and he recognized my father as one he did business with – and wanted to meet him if possible?
A few days later they met embraced and cried together – remembering the old days. By this time I had been given the car already – and the poor kind hearted man – Allah Rest his soul in eternal peace in this world and the next – and open the doors for the highest heavens for him – Ameen – he took money from his own dishdasha to pay for Registration. My family were shocked to see me with the new car!
Yesterday in the same business house they wanted a Guarantor for the GMC Yukon and though provided yet was still turned down! Why? Because I am over 55 and have No Wastah!
How times change! The difference of course having an expatriate (Indian) GM who calls All The Shots! And he remembered my Columns and my articles! Even though those too are now dead! With a new man calling all the shots! Conditions after conditions were set just to make things difficult and more difficult. Famous style well known of finding formality to just say NO purposefully and willfully!
Even the Banks etc. think that you can drop dead at any minute! Thus it is better if you go to the Saih Dhabi funeral grounds and just wait for your turn to kick the bucket!
Though I have seen so many higher brackets younger ones going fast – and some sadly as Road Casualties! But no problem! I have seen cars with green plate numbers (test drive new) also meet with tragic fatalities!
There are those in Top positions who have lots of financial issues – but easily and fast given the loans!
Did you know that even the so-called Islamic Banks also think just the same? Even the new completely Fresh Ones for that matter! So where is the Islam part here?
I could live to 102 years old – and that young man at 35 die just tomorrow! Only Allah God Knows these secrets! Not us human beings! Certainly Not Financial Houses – many run by Non Omanis Non Believers too! Even if Omani and Believers too!
It is all so confusing and complexing!
Oman – Please Do Not Cry For Me Anymore Now!
Allah Kareem – God Is Great!
Take Care!
Majid Al Suleimany
The Famous Theme – Do Not Cry For Me Argentina!
Videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2eMHqS7lTU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Spy3Nd2D6w
Reactions Received – My Letter To The Newspaper!
Fan (Omani) – I think your reaction to the newspaper was to the point. My only advice is that don’t allow the other party to get the best of you. Don’t sound emotional. Just give them your piece of mind and move on..
Lady Fan (Omani) – Well , its one’s duty to speak up when things don’t go well, if I were you I would have kept quiet cause its just like talking to a wall. Its not heard and nobody cares. Its just losing ur face over and over again and nobody cares. I will never agree with you the way you humiliate ur self. You are a talented man you deserve the best of the respect. Be calm Majid it won’t harm you and Allah sees everything. Be patient. If one door closes the other will open. Believe me.
Fan (Omani) – Spot on. I think there is a lot of hypocrisy in our society. You call a spade a spade and that’s quite admirable. Very few people have the guts to go openly public in expressing a critical opinion. Did you get any response?
From A Dr. Phd – Dr. Faris Al Hajri – See Comments Here
Dear Mr Majid, We strongly support your endeavor. Remember, the best writers, noble people, celebrities, scientists, etc, were at first neglected by their own people; that is in West during the past centuries. But; today it all changed. So keep up, never give up, you’re a very great writer, never let any negative people or pessimistic people put you down, the most you succeed, the more their feel ashamed of their wrong acts.
Finally, the Universe will respond to you abundantly. Keep up with those who are attracted by you, keep some distance to those who neglect you.
Keep looking at your achievements most whenever you get upset of a specific incident. You’re great in the eyes of many who deserve to see your smiles. Cheers!!!
Senior Omani Professional – I admire your guts and in your sincerity to want to make changes in things before they go really bad!
Some others too ‘personal’ to include here – but equally good (or have requested anonymity) !
Missing ! Where are the Expatriate Fans? Abandoned Ship?
Best Regards,
Majid Al Suleimany
Best Wishes and Regards
Majid Al Suleimany
N.B. If this is how a long time serving National Columnist of over 13 years and in a Public Newspaper is treated, the mind just boggles what happens elsewhere? You be The Judge!
END
Letter To The Newspaper (My Columns!)
Dear Chief Editor & Team
After Compliments;
I would like to express my thanks and appreciation for your turning down my article – No Money For The Crayons! For your Weekend Magazine despite a personal call and plea from you yourself to me to send in the article.
The Weekend came – but my article was not in!
Nobody had called me earlier to explain why the article did not appear. As my style, I sent in my emotional query. The response was ‘the article was not suitable for our requirements’ – but I guess it was your rights and decisions to accept or reject any article. No one can argue or dispute that!
Sadly, the article was received well in the social media including WordPress, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Tumblr, Google Plus etc – and I did send you some feedbacks – which as usual were unacknowledged and ignored – as usual! What else is new?
It gave me courage to create my own website dedicated to Short Takes (Stories) here at http://www.myshorttakes.com/
Sadly too, despite a signed contract with the person you took over from – my contract of two columns per week and a formal WRITTEN notice of one month from both sides for any changes – I was unceremoniously removed by ultimatum of only one article – take it or leave it – and I chose ‘to leave it’ – or as we lot born in Zanzibar like to say ‘rubbing salt into the wound’! Sic!
So sad and tragic!
And all this because I previously complained bitterly for being delayed in payments for over even 6 months – and then deciding which article to pay or not!
It is sad and tragic how our National Governmental Newspaper can treat this way long time running National Columnists!
But nothing is surprising – because that is how things are goiing now – and one has to accept the status quo only!
On Monday 7th April, 2014 there was a PDO Petroleum Development Oman Retirees Party. As you may know if interested, the biggest chunk of my Readers come from PDO and The MOG Sector – being one of them. Plus Omanis that read English Newspapers more – and all The Residents, Guests and Friends in Oman – AlHamdu Lillah – God Is Great! Ameen – Amen!
I told them they can follow me in The Social Media if still interested – and if they have any issues I can refer them to past articles.
Dear Sirs – you yourself told me in more than one hour chat with you why you left your previous job to join here!
But I do not blame you – because The Truth is people want the dirt to be pushed under the carpet and those like me daring to speak are targetted, sidelined and marginalised.
The Truth can NEVER BE STOPPED – it is all issues of time and dire consequences and repercussions only!
Nice knowing you all and thanks for the iPhone 5 Ramadhan Gift – at the cost of my columns.
Let me be clear! I do not want resumption of my columns even if paid 100 Rials per article. This is not only for you but sadly all the other newspapers in Oman for that matter.
Take care and wishing you and your families all the best – and my sincere genuine apologies!
Goodbye….
Sent From My Dell PC
Best Wishes and Regards
Majid Al Suleimany
N.B. If this is how a long time serving National Columnist of over 13 years and in a Public Newspaper is treated, the mind just boggles what happens elsewhere? You be The Judge!
END
Just A Final More Time!
A Goodbye Final Letter To My Heart!
April 6, 2014
Dear Majid;
Today I was reading the following articles in Times of Oman: –
I also refer to several of your Posts in your websites – as below: –
Dear Majid;
I think as a faithful, caring, feeling, genuine and loyal citizen you have done your bit! No one can deny you this – whatever or however they feel about you! That is The Truth only!
Dear Majid – You yourself have said it! Do not tell someone with eyes to see; with ears to hear; and with a mouth to speak! Or as we Arabs say too – There is no one so blind but with eyes but cannot see – so deaf but with ears cannot hear – and so dumb but with a mouth but cannot speak!
Or as The Romans used to say – Those that the gods want to destroy – the gods make them not able to see, hear or speak!
Dear Majid – I remember your rhetorical story of the man driving fast in his quarrel with his wife at the side grumbling, complaining and nagging at him – and the children at the back seats fighting amongst themselves – and throwing things around at each other! Will the car make an accident? With the distracted driver?
Dear Majid – you are also an acute sick and diabetic case person. You are soon going to be alone with your last daughter getting married – and flying from The Cuckoo’s Nest!
My Dear Majid – it is time you hang up your apron! Take the rest and quiet that you need now in your life! Take care only of yourself – and your family only!
Rest now Dear Majid – you do need the rest, peace and quiet now!
Your work has been done! Take Care – and wishing you all the best!
Whatever is bound to happen – and you are no longer responsible! If it is bound to happen – it will – and there is nothing now you can do to stop it!
You tried your best! You did your bit anyhow – some can say even ‘chewed more than you could take! Now Move On!
Take Care My Brother! My Friend!
Love You,
Majid Al Suleimany.
April 6, 2014
Muscat – Sultanate of Oman.
Rwanda Genocide – Twenty Years On!
Twentieth Anniversary today!
Sayings –
History will always repeat itself because humans never learn from their mistakes
George Bernard Shaw: We learn from history that we learn nothing from history.
George Santayana: Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
George Wilhelm Hegel: What experience and history teach is this — that people and governments never have learned anything from history, or acted on principles.
Maya Angelou: History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.
Thucydides: History is Philosophy teaching by examples.
Unless we learn from history, we are destined to repeat it. This is no longer merely an academic exercise, but may contain our worlds fate and our destiny – Alex Haley
‘The world is too dangerous to live in – not because of the people who do evil but because of the people who sit and let it happen’. – Albert Einstein
Some Connecting Websites –
God Is Great! Allah Kareem!
Dear All & After Compliments;
Reference several posts here and at http://www.majidall.com and http://www.majidwrite.com concerning ending of my columns – I was able to create this website http://www.myshorttakes.com – after decline of the ‘requested Short Story’ – No Money For The Crayons for The Weekend Magazine!
As a result, my two weekly columns were killed off!
Frankly, if even the payments were regular, they amounted to OMR 300 Three Hundred a month for 9 to 10 columns a month.
Now with my websites added in, I do not have to suffer the absurd omissions of my columns – and the editing that went with some to unbelievable ridiculous proportions that even the gist of intended meaning and purpose got lost in the process.
True I have lost the monthly stipend – but I now no longer have to suffer the humiliations and marginalization with my new added website at http://www.myshorttakes.com
Please visit the site – and more here –
http://myshorttakes.com/2014/04/03/more-emotional-touching-stories-here-2/
Enjoy! Happy Surfing!
Best Regards,
Majid Al Suleimany
Frankly I am more happier now – And definitely Not A Question of Sour Grapes!
Images For Demonstration Purposes Only!
All My Active Websites
S / N | Theme – Type | Website Address |
01 | Books – 1 | www.majidbooks.com |
02 | Books – 2 | www.myown-ebooks.com |
03 | Books – 3 | www.myownmajid.com |
04 | Columns – 1 | www.betweenusonly.com |
05 | Columns – 2 | www.majidall.com |
06 | Family / Personal 1 | www.majidsuleimany.com |
07 | Family / Personal 2 | www.majidalsuleimany.com |
08 | First Website | www.alsuleimany.com |
09 | Opinion | www.majidsn.com |
10 | Professional | www.mas-trac.org |
11 | Road Safety Awareness | www.bethesafedriver.com |
12 | Short Takes | www.myshorttakes.com |
13 | Writing – 1 | www.majidwrite.com |
14 | Writing – 2 | www.mymajidwrite.com |
Happy Surfing! Enjoy!
Best Wishes and Regards,
Majid Al Suleimany
Omanisation must stretch to the very top of industry
Salim bin Nasser Al Hadhrami – DG Planning & Development – MOM
Times of Oman – March 31, 2014 – By Elham PourMohammadi
Muscat: Omanis should be in high-level positions in industry and the private sector needs to assist the Ministry of Manpower to achieve this, a senior official told the Times of Oman.
The Ministry of Manpower, along with some other government organisations, is making efforts to reduce the level of expatriates working in the private sector in Oman from its current level of 39 per cent of the total manpower to 33 per cent, said Salim bin Nasser Al Hadhrami, Director General of Planning and Development at the Manpower Ministry.
“Recently, the Ministry of Manpower announced some ministerial decisions to organise the job market with a focus on joint inspections in all governorates,” he said. “We have found cases where an individual owns several business entities where hundreds of expatriates are working but, unfortunately, there is no Omani working in these organisations,” Al Hadhrami said, adding that the ministry has decided not to deal with any organisation where there is no Omani, since March 1.
“Unfortunately, some people explained that Omanis will work in ordinary positions. But we did not mean that. We actually wanted Omanis to work at managerial and technical professions in big companies.”
The director general added that small- and medium-sized companies also have to be managed by Omanis who dedicate themselves to their businesses.
“We know that there is a special authority for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) which provides them all the support,” Al Hadhrami said, referring to the Public Authority for SME Development.
He added that the efforts of the ministry and related organisations are aimed at organising the job market. “We expect all the parties to cooperate with us to correct the situation. We all know that the private sector is a strategic partner. Therefore, we expect them to employ more Omanis.”
He also noted that there has been no announcement so far as to how many expatriates would be replaced with locals throughout the Omanisation process.
At current employment levels, the Times of Oman calculated that reducing the number of private sector expat workers from 39 per cent to 33 per cent would ultimately see approximately 100,000 roles being Omanised over time. That number could fluctuate though as the general employment pool rises as Oman continues to expand and grow. Ministry officials have consistently said there is no deadline to achieve that 33 per cent target.
The Disease of Jealousy and Envy!
Sayings!
The Prophet (SAW) warned against envy by comparing it to fire that completely burns the wood. He (SAW) said: “Beware of jealousy, for verily it destroys good deeds the way fire destroys wood.” [Abu Dawood] Hasaad (Jealousy / Envy) is a disease of the heart and it causes impurity to the heart, when Allah’s Messenger (SAW) was asked who are the best of people? He (SAW) replied: “the one with a clean heart and truthful tongue.” They asked: ‘We understand a truthful tongue, but what does a clean heart mean?’ he answered: ‘It is the heart of one that is pious, pure, and is free of sin, transgressions, hatred and Hasad.” [Ibn Majah]
An African President – just after Independence from the colonial masters – was ‘teasing’ his congregation that the local ‘mentality and outlook’ that anything good must be ‘British – English’ and anything bad local!
For example?
A big rooster (chicken) must be an ‘English Chicken’ – thus ‘English orange’ – English mango (!) etc.! But there was no ‘English Cockroach’ – ‘English scorpion’ etc. – these were only local ones!
There is also this issue that some elements – perhaps more because of their backgrounds or perhaps sources support – think that they ‘know everything!’ and that they are better than everyone else and that they have more rights too! These people will never change – until it is too late for them – and everybody else too for that matter!
Sad and Tragic!
NEED I SAY ANY MORE? Do Not think so!
Take Care!
By Majid Al Suleimany
My Previous Article – http://majidall.com/2013/11/28/not-recognising-and-valuing-our-own-writers/
Some More Sayings! –
Images For Demonstration Purposes Only!
Famous Failures!
Discouraged? See This!
The Beatles were told – your music is too loud! It will NEVER take off!
Images Do Not Give Up! For Demonstration Purposes Only!
MAJID AL SULEIMANY BOOKS – http://www.myownmajid.com
It has not died .. Simply No one can kill it – except The Good Lord Only!
CERTAINLY NOT THE MAFIAS – NOR THE OLD GUARDS! WORKING TOGETHER TO BLOCK THE TRUTH – AND PREFER IT TO BE PUSHED UNDER THE CARPET!
A BLLODY SHAME _ WHERE WE ARE GOING NOW!!
ALLAH KAREEM _ GOD IS GREAT!
Take Care!
Majid Al Suleimany
Muscat – Oman – March 29th 2014.
All My Books Icons!
2 in Arab Management – 2 in Road Safety – 6 in Between Us Only! Series
For Direct Ordering and for more Information see here at www.myown-ebooks.com and at www.myownmajid.com
Educated middle-class Syrian exiles share their thoughts on the revolution and their determination to return home.
Al Jazeera World Last updated: 19 Mar 2014 20:55
Double Click To Open
Three years ago, Syrians took to the streets in protest against the government, and the resulting conflict has been longer and more violent than anyone could have anticipated.
In this film, we follow the stories of Syrians in exile who have all escaped the conflict with their lives.
The image the world often has of refugees is of a downtrodden traveller or occupant of a squalid transit camp. But this film is built around the experiences of educated, middle-class exiles of the Syrian revolution – an academic, an artist, a playwright, a researcher, a medical worker, and a women’s rights campaigner.
Now living in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, they were all once activists in Syria. Some escaped to avoid arrest, others simply fled the deteriorating situation.
All have individual stories – about being away from home, missing their places of work and study, their neighbourhoods and cafes. But they all have one thing in common – a fierce determination to continue fighting for a ‘Free Syria’, each in their own way. They all believe the war will ultimately end and that they will be able to go back to a free country ruled by a democratically elected government.
In Syria: The Battle Beyond, we hear their stories as they reflect on the struggles they face living in exile, and their hopes of one day returning home.
Al Jazeera World can be seen each week at the following times GMT: Tuesday: 2000; Wednesday: 1200; Thursday: 0100; Friday: 0600; Saturday: 2000; Sunday: 1200; Monday: 0100; Tuesday: 0600.
Images – For Demonstration Purposes Only!
Images – For Demonstration Purposes Only!
Famous Expression
There is an East African expression that goes on like this –
Those with eyes are not told to look – those with ears to hear – and those with a mouth to speak!
An expression more near at home in Arabic goes like this –
There is no one so blind with eyes but cannot see – one so deaf with ears but cannot see – and one so dumb but with a mouth but cannot speak!
And the Romans old saying –
Those that the gods want to destroy make them not see, hear or speak!
Take Care!
By
Majid Al Suleimany
NEWS REPORT TODAY
Quote – The government continues to march ahead with programmes to attract investments in various sectors, while at the same time trying to strengthen the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) for these two factors play a key role in generation of employment, and enhancement of value addition to the economy. This was stated by Dr Ali bin Masoud al Sunaidy, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Planning, while speaking at the fourth edition of Oman Economic Forum, held under the auspices of Darwish bin Ismaeel al Balushi, Minister Responsible for Financial Affairs – Unquote!.
As an ex Omani Columnist, Writer and Author I would recommend to Our Leadership to seriously consider to PRIVATISE OMANISE The Oman Daily Observer.
This is the only way to increase efficiency, transparency and accountabilities! And backlogs and maladministration!
Also the cancerous cells of The Mafias and The Old Guards unending sagas!!
Sad – but THE TRUTH!
Loyal Faithful Citizen,
Majid bin Said bin Nasser bin Zahor Al Sulaimani
Be an Indian; But Not In India! Real Story of NRIs!
SAD BUT TRUE! *A MUST READ…*
*From an Indian to an Indian…*
BE AN INDIAN, BUT NOT IN NDIA!
Why do they succeed outside India? Do they do the same to the Locals in other countries??
From Yahoo – East African Circle – By Pradyuman Josh
*Forwarded as received. *
Received from an *NRI businessman’s’ Group* in India
NRI refers to Non-Residents of India
*VERY INTERESTING AND TRUE! *
This is worth your time. Who ever put this together, is no fool and has the right vision about India, makes sense and is an eye opener.
I remember Brits in our own country India before independence that when Indians use to address them ‘YES, SIR!’ and joining their hands and bowing to them, as if they (Indians) were servants and Brits ‘Masters’ in India. *Imagine being a servant in ones’ own country.*
What for? Because of the white skin, privileged masters? They used and abused Indians in their own country and reduced them ‘to being stupid, suppressed them and broke down their self-esteem way down and made themselves (Brits) the masters of the slaves.
No wonder Brit’s ruled the world with that attitude and took/made us fools!
India would have been freed from Britain if our ancestors had fought and revolted against the Brits as did the Americans in the USA in the 16th century. Remember ‘the Boston Tea Party’ and other historical events where people revolted and gained independence from the colonial powers?
*Thought Provoking reasoning:*
I would like to sum up our performance in the 20th century in one sentence. Indians have succeeded in countries ruled by whites, but failed in their own. This outcome would have astonished leaders of our independence movement. They declared Indians were kept down by white rule and could flourish only under self-rule.
This seemed self-evident. The harsh reality today is that Indians are succeeding brilliantly in countries ruled by whites, but failing miserably in India. They are flourishing in the USA, Canada, UK, Europe, far east, etc.
But those that stay in India are pulled down by an outrageous system that fails to reward merit or talent, fails to allow people and businesses to grow, and keeps real power with unfaithful leaders, corrupt politicians, and selfish assorted manipulators. Once Indians go to white-ruled countries, they soar and conquer summits once occupied only by whites.
Rono Dutta has become head of United Airlines, the biggest airline in the world with a Fleet size of 705 aircrafts and 381 destinations world wide. Had he stayed in India, he would have no chance to lead in the Indian Airlines.
Even if the top job there was given to him by some godfather, the corrupt, dominating politicians and trade unionists would have ensured that he could never run it like United Airlines. Vikram Pundit was head of Citigroup until recently, which operates Citibank, one of the largest banks in the world.
Rana Talwar has become head of Standard Chartered Bank, one of the biggest multinational banks in Britain, while still in his 40s. Had he been in India, he would perhaps be a local manager in the State Bank, taking orders from politicians to give loans to politically favored clients.
Lakhsmi Mittal has become the biggest steel baron in the world, with steel plants in the US, Kazakhstan, Germany, Mexico, Trinidad and Indonesia. Indias’ socialist policies reserved the domestic steel industry for the public sector. So Lakhsmi Mittal went to Indonesia to run his family’s first steel plant there. Once freed from the shackles of India, he conquered the world.
Subhash Chandra of Zee TV has become a global media king, one of the few to beat Rupert Murdoch. He could never have risen had he been limited to India, which decreed a TV monopoly for Indian gov’t company, Doordarshan. But technology came to his aid: satellite TV made it possible for him to
target India from Hong Kong. Once he escaped Indian rules and soil, he soared.
You may not have heard of 48-year old Gururaj Deshpande. His communications company, Sycamore, is currently valued by the US stock market at over US $30 billion, making him perhaps one of the richest Indians in the world. Had he remained in India, he would probably be a politician in the Department of Telecommunications.
Arun Netravali has become president of Bell Labs, one of the biggest research and development centers in the world with 30,000 inventions and several Nobel Prizes to its credit. Had he been in India, he would probably be struggling in the middle cadre of Indian Telephone Industries. Silicon Valley alone contains over 100,000 Indian millionaires.
Indra Krishnamurthy Nooyi has been the CEO of PepsiCo Inc. since 2006, a Fortune 500 company.
Sabeer Bhatia invented Hotmail and sold it to Microsoft for US $400 million.
Victor Menezes, born in Pune in 1949, was number two in Citibank until late last year.
Shailesh Mehta is CEO of Providian, a top US financial services company.
Also at or near the top are Rakesh Gangwal of US Air, Jamshd Wadia of Arthur Andersen, and
Aman Mehta of Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corp.
In Washington DC, the Indian CEO High Tech Council has no less than 200 members, all high tech-chiefs. While Indians have soared, India has been stagnated.
At its independence time, India was the most advanced of all colonies, with the best prospects.
Today with a GNP per head of $370, it occupies a lowly 177th position among 209 countries of the world. But poverty is by no means the only or main problem.
India ranks near the bottom in the United Nations’ Human Development Index, but high up in Transparency Internationals’ Corruption Index.
The politician-raj (rule) brought in by socialist policies is only one reason for Indias’ failure. The more sordid reason is the rule-based society we inherited from the British Raj, is in tatters today. Instead
money, muscle and influence matter the most.
At independence we were justly proud of our politicians. Today, we regard them as scoundrels and criminals. They have created a jungle of laws in the holy name of socialism, and used these to line their pockets and create patronage networks. No influential crook suffers. The Indian Mafias flourish unhindered because they have political links.
The sons of police officers, politicians, rich people believe they have a license to rape and kill and get away from being charged criminally or prosecuted. Talent cannot take you far amid such bad governance.
We are reverting to our ancient feudal system where no rules applied to the powerful ones. The British Raj brought in abstract concepts of justice for all, equality before the law. These were maintained in the early years of independence. But, sixty years later, citizens wail that India is a lawless land where no rules are obeyed.
I have heard of an IAS probationer at the Delhi training academy pointing out that in India before the British came, making money and distributing favors to relatives was not considered a perversion of power, it was the very rationale of power. A feudal official had a duty to enrich his family and caste.
Then the British came and imposed a new ethical code on officials. But, he asked, why should we continue to choose British customs over Indian ones now that we are independent?
The lack of transparent rules, properly enforced, is a major reason why talented Indians cannot rise in India. A second reason is the politician-raj, which remains intact despite supposed liberalization. But,
once talented Indians go to rule-based societies in the west, they take off. In those societies all people play by the same rules, all have freedom to innovate without being strangled by regulations.
This, then, is why Indians succeed in countries ruled by Non-Indians, and fail in their own.
*It is the saddest story of the century for Indians and India.
From Yahoo – East African Circle – By Pradyuman Joshi
Images For Demonstration Purposes Only!
3. Fwd: FW: SAD but TRUE. A MUST READ!!
Posted by: “Pradyuman Joshi” papla1860@gmail.com
Date: Sun Mar 16, 2014 7:57 am ((PDT))
Date: Sat, Mar 15, 2014 at 10:14 AM
Subject: INDIANS & INDIA: SAD but TRUE…
Saudi officials shut down display at book fair
Summary
At this year’s Riyadh International Book Fair, greatly anticipated by Saudi writers and intellectuals, a display by a new press run by Saudis out of Beirut was ransacked and shut down.
Author Madawi Al-Rasheed
Posted March 13, 2014
A man shows a book by Saudi writer and poet Mohamed al-Rotayyan during the Riyadh Book Fair at the International Exhibition Center in Riyadh, March 9, 2013. (photo by REUTERS/Faisal Al Nassar)
*** Author: Madawi Al-Rasheed – Al Monitor
Posted March 13, 2014
Saudi Arabia boasts about the annual Riyadh International Book Fair, where Saudis can explore a flourishing book market, meet authors and engage in intellectual discussion. Every year, however, the book fair is transformed from an intellectual market into something more resembling a battle for the hearts and minds of Saudis. The gathering has become an arena in which multiple actors want to assert their presence, control the event and dictate what Saudis should and should not read. During the 2014 book fair, this struggle resulted in visitors on March 7 posting photos online of the destruction inflicted the night before on the booth of the Arab Network for Research and Publishing, a relatively new press based in Beirut.
Many writers and readers look forward to the annual book event, which breaks up the monotony of intellectual life in the kingdom and allows them to enjoy a different kind of consumption. The government promotes the book fair under the auspices of the Ministry of Information, while security agents, accompanied by members of the Committee for Promoting Virtue and Prohibiting Vice, otherwise known as the religious police, search for books to confiscate and destroy. They also look for any signs of mingling between the sexes and flirtatious behavior deemed to undermine public order.
A group of young Saudi intellectuals, including Judge Abdulaziz al-Qasim and the journalist Nawaf al-Qudaimi, established the Arab Network for Research and Publishing to promote books offering new perspectives on society, religion and politics.
As the press’ director, Qudaimi worked hard to create a significant collection of books written by Saudis and other Arabs, all presenting new interpretations of history and religious tradition with a view toward reconstructing consciousness and promoting an examination of past and current knowledge.
The press also translates books from other languages, primarily academic English books on Saudi Arabia and other countries. Days before the book fair, Qudaimi had begun to promote the press’ 2014 list, tweeting short promotional materials and summaries of the awaited titles. He was granted permission to display the publishing house’s collection in a designated corner at the Riyadh book fair.
The press’ books arrived and were displayed as expected. Qudaimi’s early publicity effort was so successful that a number of Saudis were looking forward to purchasing copies of their favorite volumes. They were disappointed, however, when they arrived to find the ransacking of the press’ display a day after the book fair opened its doors. Books and papers were scattered and thrown from the tables set up for their exhibition. Thus, the press was only able to display its collection for a very short time before being closed down.
Among Saudi liberals speculating about the reasons behind the raid, the majority prefer to blame the religious police, absolving the regime from any wrongdoing. This is an easy way out for them, because they would like to think of the regime as a bastion of enlightenment working against a tide of religious conservatism, bigotry and radicalization.
They have exhausted this myth, however, and instead live under the illusion that King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz is a reformer, working hard to open Saudi Arabia to new ideas and curb the influence of radical groups across the society. They cheered when a recent royal decree promised to punish radical groups and designate them as terrorists. The raid at the book fair affirms the myth’s collapse.
The raid not only proves that reform in Saudi Arabia is in short supply, but confirms that the regime is not serious about fighting terrorism. Freedom of expression is not by any means an unlimited right, but it is a precondition for open debate, including tackling the roots of violence. Without people being able to engage in free debate, read alternative interpretations and expose themselves to new ideas, the regime is fighting a lost cause. In fact, the raid proves that the government does not want to create the intellectual conditions for new ways of thinking and behaving.
The raided publications hardly contain any radical ideas, blasphemy or immoral material. In fact, several volumes deconstruct the roots of Wahhabi teachings, in particular those that would perpetuate repression at the personal and political levels, promote violence and suppress people’s rights. Many authors are critical of old Wahhabi teachings that promote rejection of democracy and civil and political rights.
A tweet with a picture of the booth before and after (Twitter/ @Alqudaimi)
A common theme runs through many books in which some authors search for ways to free the Islamic tradition from the authority of religious scholars whose interpretations have become sacred, especially in Saudi Arabia. Rather than exporting Wahhabi ideas, these Saudi authors draw on the work of modernist scholars in North Africa and elsewhere to reconstruct Islamic interpretations suitable for modern society. Many volumes offer a serious critique of Islamists in Saudi Arabia, highlighting their shortcomings in preparing people for demanding their rights.
The book fair raid indicates that such a collection of books has been designated a threat to Saudi national security. The regime, however, cannot fight terrorism simply by arresting terrorists and criminalizing radical language that might incite violence. It should allow people to engage in alternative ways of emancipating themselves and freeing their conscience from the oppressive preaching that still dominates the country.
The regime knows very well, however, that this freedom is inevitably bound to sweep away the political repression that sustains, finances and nourishes those whose main objective is to control the hearts and minds of citizens. As a regime founded on a holy marriage with Wahhabism, one of the most rigid Islamic traditions, considered by some as Islam par excellence, it knows all too well that its survival is dependent on Wahhabism remaining a revered corpus of religious thought.
The Saudi regime is keen to prepare Saudis for the afterlife, but the raided books aim to prepare them for this life, hence they were targeted in a way that demonstrates how dangerous this perspective is viewed. Books that praise the pious rulers of the country, congratulate them on their development projects and commend their support of Islamic causes are well-guarded on the book fair’s shelves. Also those publications that teach one how to ablute during water shortages remain abundant, but those that prepare people to pursue their rights as citizens or deconstruct mythologized history are banned.
No historical or political change can be forthcoming without a paradigm shift that dismantles traditional ways of thinking and replaces them with new perspectives. The regime fears this shift and is determined to suppress its slow birth. The Saudi regime is fighting a losing battle in the age of new media, during which books can circulate in electronic form. Its raid only sparked curiosity and increased people’s determination to search for the destroyed publications online.
The iron curtain has already fallen, and Saudi authors are themselves the new archaeologists with sturdy trowels for excavating a fossilized body of religious and political thought. The famous 10th-century Arab poet Abu al-Tayib al-Mutanabi said that the sword is mightier than the pen, but weak and troubled regimes, such as the Saudis’, seem to fear the pen more than the sword
*** Dr. Madawi Al-Rasheed is a columnist for Al-Monitor and a visiting professor at the Middle East Centre at the London School of Economics and Political Science. She has written extensively about the Arabian Peninsula, Arab migration, globalization, religious trans-nationalism and gender. On Twitter: @MadawiDr
Blacklist companies, not just punish corrupt officials –
Sunday Beat – Times of Oman – March 16, 2014
Saleh Al Shaibany
http://www.timesofoman.com/News/Article-31123.aspx
RELATED STORIES
Sunday Beat: Oman needs strict laws to combat corruption
Sunday Beat: The corrupt should not escape the consequences
Real justice will not be done until companies whose senior officials have been convicted on corruption charges are either blacklisted for a number of years from bidding for the government tenders, or made to pay heavy fines.
We should follow the regulations the rest of the world does to make companies accountable for the actions of their employees representing them.
The excuse that the board of directors cite by saying, “we knew nothing about it”, does not wash when it is their job to know about it. It defies logic when hundreds of thousands of rials disappear in the company’s bank accounts and the chairman says “it escaped my notice” or simply that “it was hidden from my view” and the courts believe that statement. A CEO or a managing director will not authorise the accountant to use the company’s money to bribe a government official unless he has approval from someone in the board. There is always that prior arrangement of “you go ahead with it but I will deny it if you are caught” type of thing which means the bribe had the blessing from the top.
For justice to go around a full 360 degrees instead of doing a semi circle, the Oman Tender Board (OTB) must ban the bribing companies for at least 10 years from any future activities. It is no excuse that these companies, just because they employ hundreds of Omanis, should get away with it. If they are allowed to bid again, then they should pay a fine equivalent to the bid value of the contract in which they were accused of offering bribe.
Otherwise, it will be morally wrong when one or two employees, acting under certain instructions, should be made scapegoats for something bigger than them without any consequences to the company itself.
The shocking thing is that while the company is being investigated for bribery charges, it is still in the running to win the next contract of the project they had bid for prior to the court case. It is like telling a school boy “don’t climb this tree again but you can climb the other one at the back but make sure you don’t fall this time.”
Then there is a question of the auditing companies. How does it escape their expert scrutiny when a large amount of cash was not accountable for? If a company is listed in the Muscat Securities Market (MSM) or in the case of a government organisation, surely the auditors must spot any financial irregularities. If not, where are they looking?
To say that the financials are hidden from their full scrutiny is again a lame excuse for not doing their job or simply taking for granted that “all is well” when it is not, as we now find out. For listed companies, it is the investors’ money that is used to bribe for contracts where the board of directors are the trustees. It is not business ethics, as one insider speculated. “Bribery money is the board of directors’ way of increasing profits for their investors.”
What about the role of the State Financial and Administrative Audit Institution when it comes to scrutinise the accounts of the government’s organisations and their employees? We expect such an institution with wide powers to put under the spotlight any financial irregularity committed by officials, especially those at the very top, to act decisively and timely to win the public’s confidence.
If we argue if we should make board of directors of private companies responsible for their actions, then it makes perfect sense to make heads of the ministries take responsibility for the spate of corruption cases in their patches. If their response is that “we were not aware of it”, then questions should be asked about their competence. Somebody else should be appointed who will be “aware of it” when it starts to happen again.
To sum it all up, corrupt companies should not simply plead ignorance and blame it on their managers to survive to make money another day. Similarly, heads of ministries cannot shrug their shoulders by claiming lack of knowledge. It is part of their responsibility and the buck stops with them. The time for cover-up has long passed.
You can get in touch with the writer: saleh@timesofoman.com
REPRODUCED ARTICLE
A Final Note!
On the brink of precipice!
As you are a Writer you will no doubt appreciate the passion that is associated with writing – and when one feels challenged with his writing!
But my advice now to you Majid is – To take 3 steps back and let this one ride itself.! You did try hard and give it your best shot – and have done your part! And the rest is no longer up to you or your being responsible.
Let it ride its course now! Take care of your health, your family and yourself only now – and wishing you always all the best!
From a VIP fan.
Take Care!
Best Regards
Majid Al Suleimany
Books by Omani Author Majid Al Suleimany
Availability of Majid Al Suleimany Books!
Dear All & After Compliments;
I am pleased to inform you that after The International Book Fair Exhibition that ended last week in Seeb, my books are available for purchase from only now Family Bookshop in Medinat Qaboos near BankMuscat MQ Branch and Kentucky.
Please see Books List below.
More information and details at www.myownmajid.com and www.myown-ebooks.com
You can also order direct – if you so wish to do so! Contact address is shown per book.
All My Books – www.myownmajid.com
Prices range from OMR 9 to 12.
If you wish, you can also get signed Author Copies and Dedications by giving 2 days notice period!
Please Do Support us The Omani Authors, Writers and Columnists! They are ideal gifts to give to especially outsiders and those leaving Oman gifts memoires and remembrances!
Also The Road Safety Books – For Traffic Week – www.bethesafedriver.com
And The Arab Management Books – by The Locals themselves (in English).
Plus My Columns books Between Us Only!
Best Wishes and Regards,
Majid Al Suleimany
https://www.facebook.com/majid.suleimany/timeline/2014
Open Letter To The English Press in Oman! See also Facebook!
What Is Happening To Us Now?
As some of you may know, I was a Columnist for The Oman Daily Observer for the past 13 years until November 2013 when my two columns – with a legal enforceable contract signed by both parties for two columns on a continued basis – unless one rescinded in writing and giving one month notice period – was abruptly cut to one article only.
When I complained, the new man in charge – fellow Omani National – asked me to write a story with Omani theme for their new magazine Weekend – which I did – but they replied it ‘was not suitable for their requirements`! I found it only missing the next day in the magazine. I wrote and called but no one answered.
See the article here –
http://myshorttakes.com/2014/03/03/short-story-no-money-for-the-crayons/
Before that for more than 6 months they did not pay me for my articles . When I complained my emails were blocked by the top guy (also Omani National)! Eventually and belatedly they paid me! Because at one time I had quit because of ‘late payments’ but was persuaded to come back because the same new man promised you will be paid – which they did – eventually 6 months later and even here periodically!
I was given an email ultimatum of only one column – or not at all! I chose the later – that is why you do not see my columns anymore now! The Indian Mafias and The Old Guards have won again to kill The Truth guy speaking out again!
Should these things happen in Oman from a Government run paper? You be the Judge!
And yes I am also Author of 10 books www.myownmajid.com I had to beg them to cover my books for the new ones even The Road Safety Ones www.bethesafedriver.com though Muscat Daily easily covered my books on a public interest as Omani Author! Do I need to say more? Sad!!
The books they cover are from VIPs and outsiders – and picture books or children books – but no serious stuff like mine that makes you think! They can even cover Malala – but not their own!
Is this a National Policy? Even the CIA looks after itself! Yet we see live how a school graffiti destroyed a whole nation – but yet we do not see or hear! Or allow people to speak! And yes – No one is afraid anymore!
If this can happen to an Omani National Senior Professional I dread to think what would happen to the younger ones in other media places! Very scary even to think about it!
The Big Question – Should a Government National Newspaper be run this way get involved – because these things have been known to effect us all in one way or the other – See The Mouse Trap Story!
The Mouse Trap story
I just had to share this one with you all!
A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package.
What food might this contain? The mouse wondered – he was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap.
Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning: There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!
The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, ‘Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me.” I cannot be bothered by it.’ The mouse turned to the pig and told him, ‘There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!’
The pig sympathized, but said, I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. ‘Be assured you are in my prayers.’ The mouse turned to the cow and said ‘There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!’
The cow said, ‘Wow, Mr. Mouse. I’m sorry for you, but it’s no skin off my nose.’
So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer’s mousetrap alone.
That very night a sound was heard throughout the house — like the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey. The farmer’s wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake bit the farmer’s wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital , and she returned home with a fever.
Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup’s main ingredient.
But his wife’s sickness continued, so friends and neighbours came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig. The farmer’s wife did not get well; she died. So many people came for her funeral, the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them.
The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness. So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it doesn’t concern you, remember — when one of us is threatened, we are all at risk.
We are all involved in this journey called life. We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another.
REMEMBER,,,,
EACH OF US IS A VITAL THREAD IN ANOTHER PERSON’S TAPESTRY;
OUR LIVES ARE WOVEN TOGETHER FOR A REASON.
One of the best things to hold onto in this world is a friend
Best Regards,
Majid Al Suleimany
With sincere due apologies!
My New Website – www.myshorttakes.com
Containing short stories takes from my books and columns – many highly emotional charged sincere feeling ones. You will certainly enjoying visiting this site!
Enjoy and Happy Surfing!
Please tell me what you think?
Best Regards,
Majid Al Suleimany
Website icon