Refleksi: Tiap tahun jutaan orang berbagai bangsa datang melakukan ibadah agama ke Arab Saudia, tetapi mungkin , teristimewa dari Indonesia tidak mengetahui ada diskriminasi dan rasisme. Diskriminasi dan rasisme ini mungkin juga dialami oleh para TKI/TKI. Apa komentar Anda tentang diskriminasi dan rasisme di Arab Saudia?
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=123023&d=30&m=5&y=2009 Saturday 30 May 2009 (05 Jumada al-Thani 1430) A journey that seeks to end discrimination Laura Bashraheel | Arab News JEDDAH: Two Saudi men have undertaken a journey that will take them across the Kingdom in a four-wheel-drive vehicle during two months. They are on a campaign to tackle issues of discrimination and tribal racism. Hussein Al-Mansour and Ali Al-Hamzan have been sponsored by Prince Mishaal bin Abdul Aziz, chairman of the Allegiance Commission, to tour Saudi Arabia's 13 provinces in a vehicle carrying the slogans "No to Discrimination, No to Racism" and "Our Loyalty and Belonging is to Saudi Arabia." The vehicle will also carry pictures of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan. "We will meet governors, ministers, tribal chiefs, educated people, media personnel, businessmen and people from all strata of the society," said Al-Mansour. "Our goal is to get everyone in the society talking about this issue. Princes will give their opinions, journalists will give their viewpoints and citizens will share their perceptions," he added. "Discrimination and racism are dangerous," said Al-Mansour, adding that they affect cohesion. Al-Mansour and Al-Hamzan came up with the idea of touring the Kingdom after King Abdullah called for countries in the region to end their differences at the Kuwait summit. The two presented their plans to Prince Mishaal who offered his support Al-Mansour and Al-Hamzan's journey was approved by the higher authorities and the Ministry of Interior. More than 130 students belonging to two different tribes recently fought pitched battles inside a high school in Taif. It is these types of attitudes that the two campaigners want to discuss with people. Al-Mansour and Al-Hamzan define racism as intolerance of a particular ideology or class, and the tribal, religious and social marginalization of others. "We want to show how bad it is ... the trip is aimed at gauging everyone's opinion," said Al-Mansour. The pair will also carry with them a notebook for people to jot down their opinions. The notebook will, at the end of the trip, be handed to Prince Mishaal who will present it to King Abdullah. "This trip might not be the solution but it's an invitation to work on curbing racism," Al-Mansour added. "Saudi society loves to be part of solutions ... if we give them immediate solutions, they won't accept them," he said, adding that Prince Mishaal will give his final opinion at the end of the trip. The two believe that the media have an important role to play. "Tribal leaders are crucial in ending racism among tribes," said Al-Mansour. The trip was supposed to begin in mid-March, but this was not possible due to the two not being able to get legal permits. "We aim to meet Prince Khaled Al-Faisal. He is not only a governor; he is a poet, a painter and a politician. He is an influential character," they said. They added that they expect the people of Jeddah to be the most responsive. "We expect people of Jeddah would respond in a better way than any other place ... we will receive more understanding from its people," said Al-Mansour. Al-Hamzan and Al-Mansour said they do not wish to miss out on any sector of Saudi society. "If we ignored any category, we would be guilty of racism," said Al-Mansour with a smile. The two will cover in their journey - Makkah, Al-Baha, Jazan, Asir, Najran, Tabuk, Al-Jouf, Hail, Qassim, Madinah, Riyadh, Eastern Province and Northern Frontier. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
