Iraqi ommunity in Saudi Arabia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Iraqi ommunity in Saudi Arabia - Essay Example He planned to introduce various aspects of modern administration and western technology not contradicted by the principles of Islam (Abir, 1988: 4) including modern education in its various disciplines. The lack of Saudi professionals, therefore, necessitated the employment of foreign teachers and experts. To develop integrated urban cities, various measures were taken. For instance, to fulfill one aspect of this purpose, schools and hospitals were built, telephone lines and electricity were introduced, running water, roads and airfields were constructed all of which were carried out by foreign manpower and expertise, employed from all over the world. The skills of Muslim professionals as well as non-Arabs and non-Muslims were also employed in Saudi development. Most of them were recruited as teachers in universities and schools, engineers, chemists, physicians, doctors, contractors, nurses, and businessmen. There are undeniable common interests between Saudi Arabia and other countries that entailed the flow of all the skilled laborers, teachers and businessmen to Saudi Arabia during the oil boom era. Despite the turbulent relations between Saudi Arabia and Iraq until the monarchy era until the fall of Saddam regime, Saudi Arabia managed to be diplomatic and remain cautious in dealing with Iraq’s political and socio-economic issues. With the tense Saudi-Egyptian relations and the support of Nasirs to the Republic in Yemeni war, suspension of dealings with the Egyptian labor occurred. As an alternative, Saudi administration considered the feasibility of bringing qualified professionals in from Iraq. Hundreds of them arrived and occupied various professions. In addition to working as the state’s representative staff in embassies and consulates, these specialists received contracts from competent authorities which found a lack of local qualified employees.