In Zargrifth, Mohammad Bin Qasim documents his novel experience in Saudi Arabia where he worked for 25 years (1981-2004). This is a country that is loved and revered by the Muslim Ummah because of the Kaaba, the house of God, being located there. It was also the abode of our last prophet, Hazrat Muhammad. (PBUH). Every Muslim dreams of the day when he would perform Haj and will be blessed by God.
As one reads through the book, one learns more about the social, economic and political structure of the country. It also describes the bitter realities of the place which are not any secret to the world. Almost everyone would have experienced these themselves or learned of them through friends and relatives.
The very first experience of the author at Riyadh airport was not very pleasant, as he witnessed one of his co-travellers being manhandled. Later, more compatriots were humiliated and discriminated against. The author holds ourselves responsible for this ill-treatment to some extent. There are numerous cases when Pakistanis have entered or tried to penetrate into the Kingdom with fake degrees and documents.
The book provides an insight into the social, economic and political structure of Saudi Arabia. A conservative, closed society, the literacy rate is low with still lower literacy in women. Women cannot drive, nor are they visible in the workplaces. Polygamy is common. The author has cited numerous instances of the low status of women which has often been reported by the print and the electronic media.
The book also throws light on the plight of the workforce from Pakistan and other Asian countries. Since all the migrant workers have to surrender their passports to their Saudi employers, their fate depends on the whims of the employers. Moreover, there is a vast difference between the pay scales of the western and Asian workforce. This difference is also obvious in their attitude towards both the communities.
While appraising the welfare and development work undertaken by the rulers, the author appreciates the honesty and integrity of the common man. Further, the author was in the Kingdom during the Gulf wars and records his personal experiences and views.
The book is entertaining too. Readers will come across anecdotes which are also a comment on the psyche of the indigenous population. The writer points out how linguistic differences create hilarious, as well as, odd situations.
While discussing the Pakistani school in Riyadh, its mismanagement and the negative role of the Pakistani community, the author observes that we are ready to find fault with others but very easily skip our own weaknesses.
The book could have done with better editing. While the book rightly claims to be a guide for people entering the job market in Saudi Arabia, the narration sometimes becomes too personal for a book of this nature. A long list of personal friends is boring for a general reader. Similarly, the recounting of personal problems could have been avoided. Occasionally, undue boasting detracts from the readability of the book.
If you already have been to the Kingdom, this book will refresh your memories of the place. If you have not been there before, you learn much from the book. You will know what to expect and what not to. - Syeda Saleha
Zargrifth - Saudi Arab Par Ek (Anokhee) Nazar
By Mohammad Bin Qasim
Justuju Publishers.
Email: hashims@gmail.com [DAWN made an error in writing the eMail address as "hashmis@gmail.com"]
ISBN 969-8831-00-2
271pp. Rs299.
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