Speaking of GULF STATES…here goes;
My first posting (at my bank) was in BAHRAIN (1975-1981)
***Some of my best friends were Bahrainis…including the local based BAHRAINI employees ***(Anwer Kerim, Noora, Fatima, Mona, Kooheji…and others..who are STILL in touch with me. Noora came to attend my daughter’s marraige in 2005 because my eldest was the dear one to all my colleagues in Bahrain..and specially of Noora Halabi) and some Bahraini officials including a minister..who is still a Minister.
There wasn’t an iota of feeling that BAHRAINIZATION must shape up…!
My second posting took me to DOHA-QATAR (1982-84)..where again, my best friends were Qataris (and Hindus)…and no feeling whatsoever…that they are the country people and we expartriates!
***My third posting was at Abudhabi (1984-1990) and Dubai (1990-1993) which saw me get pretty close on friendship with UAE Nationals that even now when i go…and I do frequently ***( in fact i am there in Dubai next weekend for some sign off at the Stanchart..) my UAE National friends come running to meet me…offer me privileges and travel facilities etc.
The whole issue—I reckon, has been created by US only by not following their laws…by breaking them and making life for fair and honest ones miserable that the hosts are forced to adopt strict majors…as a matter of no choice!
THE GULF semantics and their moods and system..in real sense..has been understood well by our “neighbors” that they keep increasing. I know they come on low salaries etc…that the market for Pakistanis has gone way below…but then again…the behavior of neighbors has been far more to MEET THE EYE then ours!
The only thing, which however–NOW—irks me…is the horrendous traffic and skyrocketing prices…where the profit margin is amazingly higher—then it was during our GOLDEN era!!!
Peace Partner!