Things Every Filipino Should Know About Saudi Arabia

There are about 3 million Filipinos in the middle east and 1.3 million of them are in Saudi Arabia.  Saudi Arabia has the largest concentration of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) in the middle east. The reason for this is the large demand of workforce needed by Saudi Arabia. And as personal testament by many Saudi nationals, they prefer Filipino workers due to their unparalleled work ethic, and trustworthy nature. But lifestyle in the middle east differ greatly from the Philippines. Saudi Arabia is a Muslim nation and is very strict about it. Unlike other countries, Saudi Arabia is considered as one of the most conservative muslim countries in the world. They are very strict in implementing Islamic rules specially to expats. That's why a lot of Filipinos are having a hard time during their first few years in Saudi Arabia. It is important that every Filipino who are planning to go to Saudi Arabia need to know more about it's way of living before proceeding to do so. Here are some things you should know about Saudi Arabia:

Countries with the highest concentration of Filipinos

1. Religion.
Islam is the only religion practiced in Saudi Arabia.  So, it is essential that every one respect this and abide to most of its rules.

2. Salah (Prayer Time)
During this time, all work is stopped for muslims. It is mandatory that they perform this prayer time. Also, all shops, stores, banks, and any form of business establishments are closed during Salah. It is important that every Filipino or any other expat respect this time. Normally, there perform Salah 5 times daily.
1st - early morning between 4am-5am
2nd - at noon between 11am - 12am
3rd - in the afternoon between 3pm - 4pm
4th - late afternoon between 5pm - 6pm
5th - in the evening between 7pm - 8pm

3. Pork in any form is prohibited.
So, expect strict implementation of this rule in airports and checkpoints. Canned goods made of pork, pork chicharon, any dish with pork will be confiscated.

4. Alcoholic Beverages are prohibited.
They are more strict about this. Any one caught in possession will be detained and/or deported.

5. Religious Christian Paraphernalia must be used discreetly and with caution. Rosaries, bible, and any artifacts Christian in nature is mostly considered disrespectful to Saudi nationals if you use this infront of them. In the airport, if you are bringing any of these, I advise you keep it in a discreet place in your baggage and never place them in your hand carry luggage. Even jewelry with a cross pendant is not advisable.

6. Relationship other than your legal wife is prohibited. 

Saudi is also strict about this. Sometimes a Mutawa (a religious police of some sort) roams around and inspects males that are together with females. Any one caught together without a marriage contract will be detained and/or deported. So, it is advised that married couples in Saudi Arabia always bring their marriage contract with them. All women are also required to wear Abaya - a black long dress for women cloaking the whole body. Women wear this to avoid lustful thoughts from men.

7. Ramadan.
This is every muslim's holy month. It is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and the month in which the Quran was revealed. Usually being observed between June to August each year. During this time of the year, muslims undergo fasting. They will not eat from sunrise to sundown mostly 6am - 6pm. They can't even drink water.  Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Also, work for muslims are shortened during this time. Opening schedules for business establishments are shortened as well. It is advised that every Filipino and expats to respect this time for our muslim brothers. Eating and drinking must be very discreet and must not be done publicly.

8. Holidays.
Every year there is a standard holiday of 11 days in Saudi Arabia.
During Eid Al Fitr (after Ramadan) - 5 days
During Eid Al Adha (after Hajj - annual pilgrimage to Makkah) -5 days
Saudi National Day (Sept. 23) - 1 day

9. Bachelors separate from Family status.
Usually, in restaurants, there are separate sections for bachelors/single men and family staus and females. Single women and Families are required to use the Family Section, while single men are to use the Bachelor/Single section.

10. Drugs are strictly prohibited.
Any one caught in possession of narcotic drugs will be detained and/or deported

11. Cost of Living.
Here are some of the average prices of commodities in Saudi Arabia (with php conversion):
Flat/Apartment (2-3 BR) - SR850 to SR1,250 or P10,000 to P15,000 per month (usually, 6 months advance payment required)
Diesel - SR0.35 or P4.00 per liter
Gasoline - SR0.65 or P8.00 per liter
Elecricity 1 to 2000 kwh - SR5.00 or P60.00
Water Utility Bill (monthly ave. Not exceeding 300 cubic meters) - SR40.00 or P480.00
Drinking Water 1.5 liters - SR2.00 or P24.00 per bottle
Rice - SR6.00 or P70.00 per kilo
Chicken - SR15.00 or P180.00 per kilo
Beef - SR24.00 or P280.00 per kilo
Cooking Oil - SR8.00 or P94.00 per liter
Fresh Milk - SR2.00 or SR24.00 per liter
Soda in Can 355ml - SR1.50 or P18.00
Shampoo 200ml - SR10.00 or P120.00
Bath Soap (big bar) - SR4.00 or P48.00
Toothpaste 100ml - SR5.00 or P60.00

12. Identification.
Saudi goverment is implementing a National Identification System. Here, every OFW or expat will be issued an Iqama (residence permit). This will serve as your ID and will be used for all your transactions like, sending remittance, applying for services, bank transactions, telecom services, applying for licenses, and many more. All your transactions will be linked to your Iqama number.

Photo from www.interexpat.com

13. Weather & Climate.
Saudi Arabia is mostly desert and weather and climate are mostly extremes. During summer, from June to August temperatures can rise up to 55 deg. Celsius. While during winter season from December to February, tempature drops up to 4 deg. Celsius. Saudi Arabia experiences minimal rain throughout the year only from November to February. So, OWF's going to Saudi Arabia are advised to bring their jackets during the cold season. Also, aside from the extreme weather, sandstorms regularly occur in Saudi Arabia.

14. Death of a Saudi National.
If in any case you are the cause of death of a Saudi National or any other muslim, whether by accident or murder, you are to be charged by death penalty or pay Blood Money or Diyya usually amounting to millions of riyals depending on court decisions. In Suadi Arabia and many other Islamic countries, the family of a murder victim can also choose to accept a blood-money payment in lieu of the death sentence, jail time, or lashing that might otherwise be meted out. So, for those who plan to drive a car in Islamic countries, it is encouraged to purchase coverage for potential blood-money claims as part of the regular auto insurance.

15. Multi-national.
Saudi Arabia is composed of several nationalities aside from their locals.  Some of them are, Filipinos, Indians, Pakistans, Bangladeshi, Nepali, Chinese, Indonesians, Sri Lankans, Egyptians, Sudanese, Ethiopians, Turkish, Syrians, etc. This is mainly because of the workforce they acquired from those countries.

These are just some of the things you should know about Saudi Arabia. OWF's should be well informed before deciding to pursue working here. Aside from the burden of being away from your family and loved ones, you also have to deal with the strict rules and restrictions that the goverment is implementing. In general, life is harder here. But on the bright side, you will be more disciplined and you will learned to value the joys of life even more.

For more blogs about Saudi Arabia, please visit:  http://onlyndzinksa.blogspot.com/