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Expatriate life in the Magic Kingdom losing its luster. Really.
They earn good money, pay no taxes, enjoy luxurious lifestyles and lead insulated lives in Western compounds. A year of increasingly violent attacks against Western targets that killed more than 80 people had done little to unsettle the lives of Saudi Arabiaâs tens of thousands of expatriates â until May 29. That dayâs attack by Al Qaeda on the residential Oasis compound in the oil city of Khobar in eastern Saudi Arabia seemed different. "That was horrific...What made it different was the hostage-taking. They went asking people about their religion and nationality," said Frances Ross, a Canadian dentist who lives at the posh Kingdom expatriate compound in the capital Riyadh. "I donât feel safe on the compound anymore because Oasis was a very secure compound and they were able to get in. "I have no confidence that the guards outside our compounds are not sympathizers of Al Qaeda and giving them information about us," added another expatriate who did not give her name. Sitting by the pool at the heavily-fortified Kingdom compound a week after the attack, the talk among the expatriates was the same â who is leaving and who will stay. Most said the Khobar attack, on a compound similar to theirs, made them recognize the danger. "If they [militants] can walk into a compound what would stop them? Whatâs next? When they managed to escape that was the last straw that made me decide to leave," said Saeed Karam, a Lebanese who works for an advertising firm. "Weâre in a dilemma. Being in a compound is like being a sitting duck. If we canât live on compounds itâs better to leave. This is why expatriates tolerated life here, the compound environment is friendly and free. If this is out of the formula itâs not worth living here," he added. Layla, an American-Egyptian, was already packing to leave for Egypt with her two daughters but said her husband would stay in his job in Saudi Arabia. "My husband feels there is an escalation, that the situation will not get back to normal. After this attack, he immediately decided we should leave," she said. "Iâm very upset about leaving. Iâve lived here for 20 years. For me this is home. My daughter hasnât stopped crying. She doesnât want to go. I could convince my husband to change his mind but I donât want to take the risk. If something happens Iâll never forgive myself. What happened is beyond imagination." An estimated six million foreigners work in Saudi Arabia, home to 24 million people. Most of the roughly 100,000 Westerners enjoy affluent lifestyles in compounds that compensate for the kingdomâs ultraconservative customs. Entering one is like stepping into another world of miniature Western towns. Women can dress without a veil or abaya (traditional cloak), they mingle freely with men â customs prohibited by Saudi Arabiaâs austere interpretation of Islamic Sharia law. Inside, life is an up-market replica of home. They have mixed swimming pools, tennis courts, spas, restaurants, recreation centers, supermarkets, their own schools, boutiques and some have cinemas which are banned in the rest of the country. This luxury has lost its appeal. Many, feeling jittery, said their peace of mind vanished after the Khobar assault. It prompted many foreigners to consider repatriating dependants while they continue with their jobs. Some companies have decided to send Western staff home or relocate them to Bahrain or the United Arab Emirates. Many were still undecided and waiting for the school year to end. The Swedish school in Riyadh which caters for 800 Swedish residents, had just employed two extra teachers, but there are only 10 confirmed pupils for next year. "We just got here in March. Weâre considering our options... We did not want to leave but we might cut short our assignment," said Ross, whose husband works for a French firm. Many said the environment has become much more hostile and they were trying to adopt a low profile, avoiding hotels, restaurants and other places frequented by Westerners. "I donât go to downtown shopping or to the souks like before. I donât go to the supermarket anymore," said Scott, an American contractor. "When I am driving I try not to be in the middle lane, I am conscious of my surroundings and try to ensure I have the room to flee if I am chased," he said. Born and brought up in Saudi Arabia where his father worked, Scott said he would base his decision to leave on finances and not security. "I donât feel more at risk of dying here than when Iâm home," said Scott, whose compound was one of three struck by suicide bombers in May last year. Most Westerners said they feel safe and welcomed by business associates and ordinary Saudis but that the hatred of Islamists who regard them as infidels worth killing has got to them. Posted by: Dan Darling 2004-06-09 |
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