Stranded Children

Living in the Persian Gulf among oil-rich neighbours, seeing its wealth being invested in luxurious shopping malls, stunning leisure resorts, huge villas, and modern universities one would automatically expect its society to have developed at the same pace as its modern 21st Century look. However, this is quite illogical for any too rapidly changing society with a different history as that from the West, as certain issues may show.


One of these issues is that of “stranded” children. Actually, these poor little persons do not “really” exist, although they were born to this part of the world. They are the children of mostly poor labourers who conceived a child out of wedlock while they were working for little money without being able to enjoy the prosperity of the country they are living in. They come here for many years on end and don’t have the means nor the possibility and sometimes also not the intention to live in a legal relationship. Thus, their children will not receive any kind of legal papers. They don’t even have a birth certificate because their parents are too frightened to be discovered out of fear to be imprisoned and then deported. If this happens the result would be a dilemma as they would have (and sometimes even want) to leave their children behind. Without a birth certificate or legal papers these children would not be allowed to travel with their parents. While their parents return to their home country and often get married without revealing their illegitimate child to their new spouse, these children are left to the mercy of some friends back in the Gulf and the authorities.


In Islam these children are not to blame nor do they carry any sin, of course, but reality is that they carry all the burden of their parents’ actions and ignorance. The authorities may try their best to deal with this issue, but it takes a long time to change the law accordingly, because many people have difficulties in overcoming the traditional assumption that what is not to be cannot be. According to their religious views illegitimate children are the result of an immoral relationship so this is an issue which is often ignored, rather than dealt with in an urgent manner.


Certainly, there are laws and regulations for punishing such parents according to Islamic or state law that is based on religious views, but these children remain stranded and often abandoned by their own parents. When reading their sad stories one imagines a different, less prosperous place than their rich Gulf birth country. But then again, as sad as their stories may sound, they might have a better chance being taken in by someone over here, than going back to the home of their poverty stricken parents, where they might not be welcomed. For their sake let’s hope that this is not only another disadvantageous effect of global migration but also a twist of fate. Who knows?

The Soap Opera Lesson

When you come to live in a new country and you would like to find out about its society, culture and customs then watch soap operas on TV; even if you don't understand the language, like Arabic for example. That shouldn't really bother you, because all that matters is the way people communicate with each other regardless of what they are saying.

Soap operas are just ideal for this purpose. In fact, in soap operas you will be able to witness how people interact with each other in a specific culture. So when you watch Arabic soap operas, from the Gulf for instance, the first thing you will quickly notice is the volume level in which people over here talk to each other. No, they are not arguing, as you might think, but just having a normal conversation. So don't worry when your Arabic colleague raises his voice above the European acceptable courtesy level, he is probably just asking where you put the report he is looking for.

Another notable characteristic is the vivid gesticulation during a lively discussion. Throwing their hands and arms all through the air while having a conversation does not mean that the speaker is practicing his latest martial arts moves on you, but he is underlining his argumentation. This is a persuasive speaking technique that takes a little getting used to though, but as long as you learn to duck at the right moment you will be fine.

Oh yes, there is, of course, a storyline to the soap, but the distinctive mimic and body language that usually replace the missing acting skills tells it all.

The Deadly Trap

In Europe we are taught from pre-school days onwards where to cross the street savely. One of the "save spots" are the well known Zebra crossings, that also taught me the name of an exotic animal before some of the more common, local species.

However, should you ever come to the Persian Gulf and happen to be a pedestrian, then be warned. Well, of course, like in any other wealthy country, there are plenty of zebra crossings in this part of the world, and as part of international traffic regulations the same rules apply to the crossing of these road stripes as in Europe. At least theoretically. But here lies the very fine, but extremely crucial difference that turn zebra crossings on our streets into deadly traps .

Contrary to our European traffic participants who are certain of the fact that a zebra crossing is a point where a pedestrian is able to cross a street savely, which also means, of course, that cars will stop for this person to do so, in this part of the world you will risk your life if you trust international traffic regulations. Although car drivers have been instructed about these rules, they nevertheless seem to consider pedestrians on zebra crossings as traffic obstruction! Unfortunately, this is not a one time witness account. Once you are on the zebra crossing and a car comes along, you better run for your life in any direction that will save you. Not only will they not stop for you, but they might also hoot, shout and yell at you for being in their way in the middle of the street, i.e. their territory. So be careful! You might be hunted down like a zebra by a lion. It's just like a real safari, just that in this case you are the prey.