July 12, 2011
Opinion.
Is It Time For The Expatriates ‘To Start To Think To Start’ To Leave?
A Question For The Expatriates To Ask For Themselves Only!
Prognosis
There was an article a few weeks back by a famed Omani Columnist titled – ‘Fearing axe expats leaving for good’! This is my dire attempt to try to address that assertion being made.
v “O my people! I have indeed conveyed to you the Message of my Lord, and I have given you good advise but you like not good advisers.” (Ch 7:73-79 Quran)
Prophet Saleh – (MethuSaleh) – Peace Be Upon Him.
v No one is listening to me – now I know how a radio feels! – Grandpa Abe Simpson.
v The problem is many people hear – but few listen! – Anon
Importantly and more sadly, it cannot be denied that a lot of things have changed in our Oman now – especially with our Youth! Things will never ever be the same again! All the things I had tried to caution and counsel have come into being – especially in my two Management books – Psychology of Arab Management Thinking – and more importantly even in the title itself – A Cry for Help! The book was published one year before what had
happened to us! – www.majidbooks.com
Notes
I am writing this all today because of the article – see it here –
v
Reply to Saleh Shaibany – https://majidsn.com/2011/06/21/reply-to-saleh-al-shaibany-fearing-axe-expats-leaving-for-good/
v
Also this one – https://majidsn.com/2011/06/24/the-final-episode-learning-to-go-silent-now/
v
http://www.betweenusonly.com/?p=1456
– The New Future.
v
http://www.betweenusonly.com/?paged=22
– What The Old Man Said!
v
Also this article – http://www.betweenusonly.com/?p=1325
– Time To Say Goodbyes!
v
http://main.omanobserver.om/node/57939
– Equal Opportunity and Pay
Please read all these articles in joint consultation with this write up.
Introduction
No one knows how far this is true but the story goes on like this. After Iddi Amin the ex
Ugandan Dictator had ‘chucked out Asians’ from Uganda, there were stories that some local peoples had approached also the then President of Tanzania – Julius Nyerere and asked him – What about us in Tanzania? Are we going also to ask the Asians to leave as Uganda has done?
Iddi Amin had accused the Asians of siding with the British to destroy ‘from within‘the economy of Uganda. He also said he had received a ‘dream’ from God to ‘chuck out all the Asians’ in Uganda! Nyerere is purported to have replied – No we will not tell anybody to leave – but they will all leave by themselves – without us telling them to do so! – Which they did – especially after the ‘Ujamaa’ Socialist policies then! Tanzanian Asians mainly were the next exodus to leave Tanzania – just like their Ugandan brethrens!
Known of his temperamental and unpredictable behaviours, in a speech to his peoples he – Iddi Amin – took a ‘Citizenship’ document of an Asian named Patel – he tore it up and exclaiming – Mr. Patel – you are now no longer the citizen of The Republic of Uganda! He added – No longer ‘Paper Citizens’ – We do not want them here anymore! – To wild acclaim,
applause and cheers from his congregation – of the indigenous African population of Uganda!
There were many of us who had left early from Zanzibar after the bloody revolution of January 1964 to move to places like Dar es Salaam and other places in Tanzania and Kenya mainly. Incidentally few Arabs origins in Uganda were touched by Iddi Amin calling himself as a ‘Muslim’ and allied to the Palestinian cause. I wonder how many Asians who might have been
pro-Palestinians but were still on those planes leaving Uganda for mainly UK, Canada and Australia – and had missed the boat in joint affiliations with Iddi Amin on these leanings?
Anyway, those of us who lived in Tanzania were subjected to continuous embarrassing searches – even at homes – and if known as ex Zanzibar Refugees. The situation went worse after the assassination of Abeid Amani Karume – the then President of Zanzibar – by one ‘Arab’ youth who was pro the system and was working in the Army. They were called ‘Comrades’ or the Socialists supported by Cuba and China mainly – and had sided with the majority Africans against the fellow ‘Arab Government’ under the then the Sultan of Zanzibar – linked to the Al Busaidy family in Oman!
There were also ‘forced marriages’ when Arab, Indian and Persian girls were forced to get married to young African men – and this was the time of mass exodus of ‘coloured’ peoples in Zanzibar. Luckily, India and Iran had accepted their citizens – we Omanis were not that lucky – though the Yemenis were more luckier than us – despite their South Yemen Communist Government was in cohort with the Zanzibar Government – politics make strange bed fellows
indeed!
The point is that Yemenis too were massacred in this bloody Zanzibar revolution, though! Just like the Omanis and the Arabs too – and like in Ruanda even some ‘moderate fellow Africans’ too! This was the first ethnic cleansing in Africa – not the Ruanda ones. In all these the role of ‘our protectors’ the British is all vague – and we keep forgetting they may have their own agendas – which are not necessarily parallel and linked to us then the Sultanate of Zanzibar – or the Arab side either!
You will forgive me for going far stretched out in all these – but the connections and filling in the dots will become hopefully very clear! Give me a shout – if not!
As a College student in Morogoro Tanzania at the time of the assassination of Karume, some Arab students were arrested after ‘celebrating’ this. I am not stupid nor naïve after having seen myself nearly shot and my late Father too (Please read the articles – relevant parts – Appendices – My Broken Heart! and The Glass Is Bent!) – So I knew what to expect. In my diary of the day I wrote – ‘Very sad news today of the assassination of Karume’ in brief. Sometime later – a good friend of mine – an African indigenous sidled down to me whispering to me – It is good they killed the fu …ng bas…rd! – All the time he was chatting and occupying me, my college room was being searched by their peoples.
When I returned, I found my diary at the entry that it was written – and I knew that they must have photographed it – finding nothing on me – they left me alone. A few months later, I left the course and joined ESSO (EXXON) – and a few months still later on left for Oman in November 1973 – under the UN Refugee programme under UAE Rulers then – and after the Accession of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said – May Allah Give him long life and health
– Amin. Omanis started to leave East Africa to return home – after many of their Indian peers had already been millionaires in especially Canada and USA – but those were the dark gloomy days of Oman history!
Strangely my late Father who had gone to Africa to follow his father – my father with his two children at 12 boy (elder brother of mine) and 8 girl (elder sister) and with his wife – all Arabs and Omanis and born in Oman – he was the first one to return to Oman – he was arrested and jailed in Oman. In anger, he sold off all his properties then in 1956 at Quriyat Al Hail Gaaf – the twists and ironies of life – because 6 years later the Zanzibar bloody Revolution wished he did not! Especially when final return in 1972!
The person who bought his property became one of the richest families post the Ascension! Twists and ironies too it was the time of the Dhofar Rebellion wars when he came back in 1972 – and he was arrested (again) because his boat and with others was caught off (suspiciously) outside Dhofar waters – poor peoples desperate to return home and mistaken for rebel supporters instead! The irony too was that we had the same friends protecting us both in Zanzibar and in Oman!
The Arab Spring Uprisings.
I do not want to go into details in this – as too we in Oman did not escape it! However, you are invited to also read this – An Open Letter To The Omani Youth. – http://www.betweenusonly.com/?p=1315
Also – http://knowledgeoman.com/en/?p=165 – All Under One Flag.
And – http://www.betweenusonly.com/?p=860 – Forty Years On!
So What Has Changed Now?
I can safely say this – that Oman will never be the same again. A lot of things have changed. All the things I had tried to pre-warn and counsel have come into being. Especially in my two Management books – Psychology of Arab Management Thinking – and more importantly even in the title itself! – A Cry For Help! The book was published ONE YEAR before The Arab Spring Uprisings!
The Book Theme – A Cry For Help!
A frank, honest, transparent, open and call-a-spade-a-spade no punch-spared, no barrels held stuff and no frills play book exposing the increasing lack of ethics, principles, professionalism and tolerance – plus increased radicalisation, extremism and increased
fundamentalism of the Offices environment – and in similar to the overall similar fast changing facts of the ground in the region.
Addressing the increased extremism, fundamentalism, and lack of tolerance and forbearance in the Arab workforce, Author Majid Al Suleimany presents A Cry for Help! – Context and Perspectives – Arabian Management Services.
In three parts, A Cry for Help! concentrates on the management styles and aspects of companies located in the Arabian Gulf Cooperation Council that encompasses Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
It discusses the:
• Growing radicalization of local staff
• Misbehaving Few Expatriates
• Unhappy, dissatisfied local staff
• Bad treatment of Local Staff – especially by some Expatriates – mainly Indian, European and Western Staff on the Locals
• Increasing extremism and fundamentalism in The Offices
For more on my books information and details – please visit www.majidbooks.com
Those who thought I was just stirring up the pot in creating artificial troubles, situations and will-not-ever-come-to-pass-in Oman-at least must have their words and tongues eaten up as the Arabs say – because I as an Omani loyal and faithful citizen was sincere, honest and genuine. In the end, I was targeted and marginalized – and I had never received any
Management Projects or Temporary Contracts after that – though I had applied many times to any openings that had arisen!
Sadly and tragically for An Author who knows many profile personalities – including HH, HE and many top Omani CEOs and GMs! – some whom I did successful projects before! You see it is all about my books! I know the sarcastic lot amongst you would add – Should we stop playing the violin now? But that does not bother me at all – my conscience, body and mind is crystal clear – and feel vindicated too – I think! Though very sad, unhappy and desolate that all my cautions and advices went to waste – and this should not have happened to us – as we were a beacon to be followed and to be emulated!
The Omani Youth have now changed forever. See here for all the topics I had written about CHANGES – in addition to my books above – https://majidsn.com/articles-since-january-2009-in-my-two-columns-in-the-oman-daily-observer/ – articles concerning changes only from January 2009 – let alone the books!
I can also say that the worst that has come out of all these is the drawing up of artificial lines and borders on the grounds – and that took the greatest hit and toll is the relationships now and the future mainly between Omanis (especially The Youth) and the Expatriates (The Old
Guards)!
Admittedly, Omanis generally are still over friendly, accommodating, respectful to expatriates – ever still weak and docile – and preferring expatriates to locals at all times – because they are ‘cheaper, trustworthy and more reliable’ syndromes.
Do not get me wrong – I am not against expatriates – especially without the expatriate lower ends labourers GCC countries will not be like what it is today. That is an undeniable fact – even if hard to swallow by some of us! We owe them the thanks appreciation and gratitude too at least!
I agree too that there is still some mass mistreatment and injustice to this labour force – and though steps have been started to amend and remedy the situation – it is still vague and farfetched. Far more needs to be done!
I am not naïve and stupid either – I know there are many jobs that expatriates are still better off in doing and in performance you name it! Some are so indispensable – that if they go – the establishments they are in would most probably too collapse! The best example is the Municipal Cleaners – at 2 a.m. still cleaning the streets – whilst the rest of Oman is sleeping!
However, if you have read this it will show you that the picture is not that rosy – http://knowledgeoman.com/en/?p=728 – Why There Is A Need To Omanise? Also here – http://majidall.com/2011/07/10/equal-opportunity-and-pay/ – Equal Opportunity and Pay! Also – http://main.omanobserver.om/node/57939
The Arab Spring Uprisings.
I do not want to go into details in this – as too we in Oman did not escape it! However, you are invited to also read this – An Open Letter To The Omani Youth. –
Let us also face it
If the tables were turned today and I had to work for my living in UK, USA, Europe or India etc – I will always be on my toes – show I am better than them – either openly (or by hidden innuendos and agendas) – work very hard and diligently – otherwise the natives will take me out of the equation – and ‘they will take our jobs’ – though I may well tend to forget that I am here temporarily – and the job is for their own Nationals first and foremost! And admittedly – there is nothing permanent and forever in life – except God and Death only!
If you have watched Mumbai Calling and Outsourced comedies – you will get the gist of my meaning – of how Indians at least behave lazily at home on the work front!
The Omani Example.
Ask yourself and recorded in history and maritime too – Omanis that went out had created history – and the only non-European colonialists in Africa – see start of this write-up. Their peers that stayed on and suffered in silence and agony – to the gloomy and dark days
in Oman. So what was the difference?
It was the opportunity thrown to them to the former. Today in History books in East Africa they have recorded Omanis as bringing ‘Civilization, Islam and * Cleanliness’ – though the bad side of so-called Slavery too! * Imagine my shock to see how dirty the streets were in 1972 when I came here!
There is also this element why some people will ever prefer for the expatriates to stay on! Who will rent their flats? Read their English Newspapers? Buy in the Supermarkets, Stores, and Cars? Who will the lack-of-confidence-and-trust Omani bosses shout at without impunity? Who will do their jobs – with them only signing the documents prepared by the expatriates? And all the harassments and bad treatments? Surely no fellow Omani takers for that matter!
I think you might have seen these famous British films where the joke and tease is – ‘The Natives Are Restless Tonight! – After the British Colonialists hear some distant drums beatings! – Reminds me of the song Distant Drums by Jim Reeves – that I used to like a lot as a teenager!
I have always been accused of taking my Readers up to the bridge – and then let the Reader decide for himself to cross the bridge or not! In short, however, there is need for pragmatism, tolerance, harmony, patience, more cooperation – as in all my articles and works.
Sorry for the abrupt end – you see I am really dead tired and fatigued now ….
Take Care!
By:-
Majid Al Suleimany
Muscat – Sultanate of Oman – July 12th 2011.
APPENDICES
*** The Office Fire *** – From – Love Story.
Five days later after the Office fire incident and his fight with the big American CEO, he had quit the place – and taking all his things in his carton. He could not understand why he cared and felt so much for the company – but here he was treated so abruptly, crudely and badly too!
As he pulled out from the place, he was crying first all inside – and then like a baby as he neared home. He had never cried like this ever before! The housemaid said to him – Do not cry boss – everything has a reason, and maybe there is something better for you to come.
The Madam came home – why are you crying Darling? Do Not Cry – God will repay you. You did nothing wrong. The man thought – men do not cry, but why am I crying now? He could not explain it.
***16 Years Old*** Family – From – The Glass Is Bent!
The shot rang out! They have killed my son, the Mother cried out to the rest of the Family huddled inside. Everybody was crying! We have lost our son, the Mother cried to the Father. The shot rang out again. It was all quiet outside the house, nobody knew what was appening. The one who said he was a Police Official and had lost his job – because of you peoples – had taken the boy outside.
I want your eldest son, pointing his pistol at the family. I want to ask him some questions. When a loaded pistol points at you, there is hardly anything you can do, even if you are many.
Besides, this was a new experience the family had never met before. An armed man who comes into your house, and wanting to kill someone because you come from that group of peoples who had made him lose his Sergeant job – though he was not an Islander, but came from the Mainland. From even a different country for that matter.
Like they say, what goes around comes around. If you do good things to peoples as part of your family’s focus and aspirations, you will be recognized – and good things will come back to you. The other armed men were now shouting to the Ex Police Man,what are doing to the boy? They are innocent peoples, they respect everyone.Besides, they just came to this place. Leave him alone. They were pointing guns at him. Give us your pistol, they said to the man. The man gave it up unwillingly. They – they called themselves Comrades – they hit him by the butt of the rifle. He fell down. Now run they told him – or we shall shoot you next. Like also in each basket, there are good and bad fish or fruits – take your pick.
Your son is alive – the men told the family – Do Not Cry. He shot at him, but he missed him! It is God’s wish to send us to save you all. You need to come with us, to come to the refugee centre. This town on the outskirts are no longer safe for you peoples.The boy went in, they all hugged him – including his younger brother who was always picking fights with him, trying to undercut him being the leader of the pack!
END
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