Here is a rather gruesome ad from the Punjab Anti-Narcotics Force, warning prospective pilgrims going for Hajj to Saudi Arabia of the dangers of drug trafficking.
The painted bill board ad makes the point, rather graphically and quite clearly that anyone caught bringing drugs into Saudi Arabia will face death. One wonders, however, if that point is being made a little more graphically than necessary.
he wording on the billboard (seemingly quite large and on an outdoor public location) says:
**Don’t unknowingly invite death.
By taking someone’s else luggage or unnecessary foreign or local medications do not put your own life at risk.
Taking narcotics or addictive elements to Saudi Arabia will result in a certain death penalty.
Anti-Narcotics Force (Punjab).**
How, I wonder, does a parent explain to a child who sees this billboard why the Arab-looking man is beheading the Pakistani-looking man with such gusto.
One wonders who it is that really gives Muslims a ‘bad name’? The message for the prospective drug smuggler to Saudi Arabia is quite clear. But, what is the message for the rest of us? And the rest of the world?
Re: Picture of the Day: Gruesome Billboard-Hajis Beware
its a fine warning.
Over 100 thousand hajis go for hajj from pakistan, overwheliing majorty is old people who are at risk. the warning should be clear and precise. It works.
It is quite easy for a parent to explain and educate child about death panelty in a foreign country for a specific crime. Whats so odd ?
Re: Picture of the Day: Gruesome Billboard-Hajis Beware
Yes, this is an important warning indeed, and perhaps a parent should clearly tell a child who has seen the board what it’s about, no reason to beat about the bush.
Re: Picture of the Day: Gruesome Billboard-Hajis Beware
I have lived in Saudi Arabia and I know the situation of Pakistanis smuggling drugs very well.
First of all, Saudi Arab Princes go to Pakistan to entice poor people to smuggle drugs into Saudi Arabia. They are paid money and are guaranteed that no harm will be done to them. They are used by Wealthy Saudis as drug mules to smuggle drugs into Saudi Arabia and they have some staff at Airports on their pay roll. Some make it and others do not due to some alert custom officer catching the person with drugs.
Those that are caught are then sentenced to death.
How do I know this?
I lived in Saudi Arabia from 1986 to 1996, 2 years in Makkah and 8 years in Jeddah. We had a family friend who was a doctor and one time he was treating some Pashtun Hajji prisoners who had been caught smuggling drugs or something. They told him how they were enticed to smuggle drugs into Saudi Arabia.
Re: Picture of the Day: Gruesome Billboard-Hajis Beware
The warning is fair, and accurately tells the truth about Saudia Arbai'as brutal draconian drug laws. as someone else pointed out before, alot of people from pakistan are enticed into becoming drug mules for large sum of money or residence in saudi arabia, and the ones that get caught get brutally murdered by saudi police.
Re: Picture of the Day: Gruesome Billboard-Hajis Beware
But I hope that capital punishment is given only after a proper inquiry and based on INTENTIONS of a person.
For those who have turned it into a business... sure - go ahead - chop the head
For those innocent people who somehow were TRICKED into doing this crime, chopping heads is not the right thing to do. They could be punished for ignorance or just being stupid enough to carry someone's luggage or brief case.
AND - if this is an ORGANIZED CRIME with headquarters INSIDE the KSA, then I have yet to see any Saudi Prince being held accountable and getting his head chopped. What about those customs officials who are part of the drug-ring and make money on all the successfull shipments ??
