Cyprus-Forum.com

[Paphitis]

Yes, I survived for two years and Qatar, and I am talking about being there 24/7 not coming and then going a few days later, and I never once stated there that I was an atheist. I was there for the money and not for any principles. I would not advise anybody to say that they are an atheist in Saudi Arabia. I have a funny feeling that if you actually had to live there day in, day out for a lengthy period, you would soon lose your rose tinted glasses as far as Saudi Arabia is concerned. Oddly enough, somebody in Libya managed to drag it out of me that I am an atheist - he didn't seem bothered, either.

Most people are very fortunate to be in and out and we are all there for the money.

On the whole, we are very well treated. I have not put anything to the test, but the anecdotal information is that we are protected species, and the police as well as the religious police fear giving us a hard time because of the businesses we work for which have considerable pull within the Government to the point where people could be sacked. Most westerners are in the Oil and Gas Industry.

So no effort is spared to make sure we are ok and happy. We even have armed guards and we are escorted anywhere we go and we always move in groups.

I would not say I am Atheist either. No one has asked yet. But it is advisable to say that you are Christian and that should be a guarantee out of any potential jam if and when they may occur.

I am also fortunate enough to appear slightly Arabic and I make an effort to speak in Arabic and that has worked very well for up to now.

[Paphitis]

Maybe if Assad ruled like the House of Saud and paid as much as they do, Syria wouldn't be up shit creek and I would consider moving to Damascus. Well maybe not because Jeddah shits on Damascus! Sorry dude.

Oh, come on, the Gulf emirs can shore up their positions because they have enough money to spread enough goodies among the populace and to create what is essentially socialism and keep everyone quiet. It works very well in a place like Qatar where there is huge oil/natural gas wealth and a tiny population. Even so, Qatar has a massive state surveillance system rivaling that of the old East German Stasi, which suggests that not all is as well as it seems. You can sense a deep undercurrent of dissatisfaction even in rich Qatar if you look and listen hard enough, and I hear that this is even more so in Saudi, where open rebellions even break out from time to time, although they are not reported. The Shiite minority in Saudi Arabia suffers repression and this is documented. There is a deep rooted aspiration for change in the entire Arab world. It manifested itself in the events known as the Arab spring, just as they did in Europe in the year of revolution of 1848. The revolutionary spirit of 1848 appeared to suffer defeat and was followed by decades of reaction. However, I do not accept that this spirit was ultimately defeated, and it lives on in the post World-War-II Europe to which millions of people are attempting to reach just now in the quest to flee poverty and oppression. I believe that the long march of history is progressive, but it moves dialectically, not in straight lines, and Arab people will not always live under dictatorships.

All the Gulf States have a deep state and that includes the UAE even. None of them are countries in which to 'test your boundaries'

Everything is tightly controlled and regimented. I don't know about socialism, but the Emirs know that their resources will run out one day, so there seems to be a big push to diversify the economy by basically pumping Billions into infrastructure projects from which another income source can be derived.

I am not sure I agree with you about dictatorships. For instance, I believe the Royal Family in Abu Dhabi and Dubai is better than any Government in the EU, as well as Australia and even in USA. If you get it right, it works to the people's advantage. They are also very popular.

I don't believe democracy will work as well for them.

Saudis are always given first options on any jobs too. Most of us are on 3 year contracts which are usually renewed but the theory is that we are to be replaced by Saudis.

[Tim Drayton]

The lesson of history is that all dictatorial regimes - even if some last for centuries - are eventually overthrown in revolutions. It comes down to the basic formula, as Shelley put it: 'Ye are many - they are few.' There is no guarantee that what comes next will be any better, but I will always support popular movements to overthrow dictators. Arguably, modern technology makes it easier to sustain totalitarian regimes, though.

[Paphitis]

The lesson of history is that all dictatorial regimes - even if some last for centuries - are eventually overthrown in revolutions. It comes down to the basic formula, as Shelley put it: 'Ye are many - they are few.' There is no guarantee that what comes next will be any better, but I will always support popular movements to overthrow dictators. Arguably, modern technology makes it easier to sustain totalitarian regimes, though.

Well if that is the case Tim, I hope they have a peaceful and harmonious transition. It would be a terrible shame if the Gulf States implode on themselves like Syria has.

I completely love the people and have never had any issues with them but I don't go looking for issues either.

The system might not be my cup of tea but I accept it and make the most of it.

I love many things about their culture and I guess they know that I am accepting of them and that makes a lot of things easier.

The Gulf States have achieved a lot and it would be a shame if all that was torn down.

[Lordo]

The lesson of history is that all dictatorial regimes - even if some last for centuries - are eventually overthrown in revolutions. It comes down to the basic formula, as Shelley put it: 'Ye are many - they are few.' There is no guarantee that what comes next will be any better, but I will always support popular movements to overthrow dictators. Arguably, modern technology makes it easier to sustain totalitarian regimes, though.

but how many in history went from democracy to dictatorship and who has caused it

[miltiades]

The lesson of history is that all dictatorial regimes - even if some last for centuries - are eventually overthrown in revolutions. It comes down to the basic formula, as Shelley put it: 'Ye are many - they are few.' There is no guarantee that what comes next will be any better, but I will always support popular movements to overthrow dictators. Arguably, modern technology makes it easier to sustain totalitarian regimes, though.

but how many in history went from democracy to dictatorship and who has caused it

Another idiotic comment from the FI ( FORUM IDIOT aka Fucking Idiot ) I think the yanks are to blame for your severe deficiency of brain cells, fucking yanks

[Lordo]

well done the stupidest old fool has got the answer. how many glasses have you had tonight old fool.

[Tim Drayton]

Saudi Arabia has sentenced a youth to be crucified:

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/crucifixion-t ... ml#z32BQH5

How much is there to choose between the Saudi regime and Daesh?

[Lordo]

Saudi Arabia has sentenced a youth to be crucified:

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/crucifixion-t ... ml#z32BQH5

How much is there to choose between the Saudi regime and Daesh?

the yanks back saudi arabia to the hilt. it is time all the dictators are kicked out of the un. it is time to democratise un itself.

[miltiades]

Saudi Arabia has sentenced a youth to be crucified:

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/crucifixion-t ... ml#z32BQH5

How much is there to choose between the Saudi regime and Daesh?

the yanks back saudi arabia to the hilt. it is time all the dictators are kicked out of the un. it is time to democratise un itself.

Shut up you stupid moron, its not the Yanks that will carry out the sentense, its your fellow muslims.
What a complete fart you are !