New Saudi train service for Gulf Arabs only.

[*Nobleman*]

Shirib, its easy to be angered by the topic title, but think deeper for a minute. Only one phase of the train project has been built so far and the capacity is limited. This is probably some sort of test for the saudis, before the rest is built. Trust me carabta discriminate in a lot of other things, hajj/umrah not being one of them. They go out there way to make the hujjaj feel welcome. Either way theres not really proof to suggest anything. All I can advise is you go yourself, with an open mind and you may well fully appreciate what these folks do. Its easy for us sitting in the west to cry bloody murder, but we cant really emphasise how big this project is. Picture getting 3 million visitors to seattle in a short period of time, many from third world countries.

[ArcadeFire]

Nobleman,

My grandparents have been to hajj and umra several times, and my uncle lives in Jeddah and they say otherwise. And for the Saudi government spending things, any Muslim government would do so, especially when they sat on all that oil wealth. That should be a given.

And for this subject, why is a Gulf Arab different from me? Why should he be able to take a train, while I cannot?

Because its new and shiny, black folk dont know how to take care of nice things

[Leila25]

And for this subject, why is a Gulf Arab different from me? Why should he be able to take a train, while I cannot?

Are you surprised that you are being discriminated against because of your nationality? The country bans half of its population from accessing government buildings, driving, requires them to get consent for education, health, travelling. Yet gender discrimination somehow is acceptable, but god forbid a saudi and gulf arab get to use the trains before others.

[Shirib]

Shirib, its easy to be angered by the topic title, but think deeper for a minute. Only one phase of the train project has been built so far and the capacity is limited. This is probably some sort of test for the saudis, before the rest is built. Trust me carabta discriminate in a lot of other things, hajj/umrah not being one of them. They go out there way to make the hujjaj feel welcome. Either way theres not really proof to suggest anything. All I can advise is you go yourself, with an open mind and you may well fully appreciate what these folks do. Its easy for us sitting in the west to cry bloody murder, but we cant really emphasise how big this project is. Picture getting 3 million visitors to seattle in a short period of time, many from third world countries.

Ok, I got that only one part is made, and thus can't carry everyone, but why are they ALLOWING ONLY GULF ARABS, and not anyone else.

Are Gulf Arabs more entitled or something? You're really not telling me why them and not the Somali, Pakistani, Indnesian, Morrocaan etc. who are going. Its clearly based on nationality, so how does that not suggest discrimination?

[Cirwaaq]

Ethiopia will destroy the whole place one day so isn't that just wasted invesment?

[Leila25]

Nobleman

Your love for Saudis has blinded you, i am not saying there is discrimination however you are defending them without stating one good reason for this practice. How about the needy and the elderly were to be given priority instead of of nationality?

[Cumar-Labasuul]

Somali people's ignorance amazes me, we can't even fix our country and we have the nerve to criticize other countries who have done so much to improve the hajj experience for millions of muslims.

Wallahi when I went in 2007 I met many somali teenagers who were studying in the universities of makkah and madinah and they didn't have to pay a penny. Do you know that the saudi government offers scholarships to muslim men who live in non-muslim countries as well as 3rd world countries. They pay for their materials, accomodation and flight and much more and we have the nerve to be critical.

BTW nobleman, I couldn't agree with you more bro

[Shirib]

Cumar

The Hijaz doesn't belong to King Saud, or anyone else for that matter, it belongs to all the Muslims of the world. Since it is in their country it is their responsibility to take care of it.

But tell me why should we not be critical of only allowing Gulf Arabs to take the train and not other Muslims. Please just answer that?

[Enlightened~Sista]

Somali people's ignorance amazes me, we can't even fix our country and we have the nerve to criticize other countries who have done so much to improve the hajj experience for millions of muslims.

Wallahi when I went in 2007 I met many somali teenagers who were studying in the universities of makkah and madinah and they didn't have to pay a penny. Do you know that the saudi government offers scholarships to muslim men who live in non-muslim countries as well as 3rd world countries. They pay for their materials, accomodation and flight and much more and we have the nerve to be critical.

BTW nobleman, I couldn't agree with you more bro

Cumar that's only for the ones who want to study Islamic Studies. As for the ones who want to study medicine, engineering etc even if they get 99.99% they will not be given any kind of assistance.I have relatives & friends who got 90% and 99% in their final exams and wanted to pursue medicine etc but couldn't.Many of them are just sitting at home with nothing to do.

[*Nobleman*]

Shirib, its easy to be angered by the topic title, but think deeper for a minute. Only one phase of the train project has been built so far and the capacity is limited. This is probably some sort of test for the saudis, before the rest is built. Trust me carabta discriminate in a lot of other things, hajj/umrah not being one of them. They go out there way to make the hujjaj feel welcome. Either way theres not really proof to suggest anything. All I can advise is you go yourself, with an open mind and you may well fully appreciate what these folks do. Its easy for us sitting in the west to cry bloody murder, but we cant really emphasise how big this project is. Picture getting 3 million visitors to seattle in a short period of time, many from third world countries.

Ok, I got that only one part is made, and thus can't carry everyone, but why are they ALLOWING ONLY GULF ARABS, and not anyone else.

Are Gulf Arabs more entitled or something? You're really not telling me why them and not the Somali, Pakistani, Indnesian, Morrocaan etc. who are going. Its clearly based on nationality, so how does that not suggest discrimination?

I cant really explain the reasoning apart from it being a test service and what better way to test a service then on the home nations. May seem like a poor excuse but when it comes to hajj and umrah there is no such thing as discrimination. However I am not saying normal every day arab society is free from discrimination, that even I cannot defend.

[Enlightened~Sista]

Nobleman there is discrimination.Have you come across Somalida Somalia ka so hajiday? They are not treated like Somalida Britain/Westka ka so hajjiyey.

[Shirib]

Nobleman there is discrimination.Have you come across Somalida Somalia ka so hajiday? They are not treated like Somalida Britain/Westka ka so hajjiyey.

That's based on money not race

[*Nobleman*]

Nobleman

Your love for Saudis has blinded you, i am not saying there is discrimination however you are defending them without stating one good reason for this practice. How about the needy and the elderly were to be given priority instead of of nationality?

No saxib your hate for anything arab has blinded you from logical thought. Go to saudi, make umrah or hajj inshallah and then maybe you will be able to see what type of efforts these guys go through, year after year. Why would they spend billions on services for foreigners only to discriminate against them over one such minor service of hajj . Your point doesnt make sense to me. The full service will probably run in a couple of weeks, let me know if foreigners are still refused to ride then ok. Only real excuse is it is a test service and the most logical way of testing is on the home nations and not the elderly.

[Cumar-Labasuul]

Shirib, I don't see what's the issue here nobleman posted this:

The number is modest in comparison with the total number of pilgrims, but other nationalities will be able to use the train in the second phase.

Anyway even if that was a negative point of the saudi government regarding the Hajj their pros far outweigh their cons and I can't imagine any other muslim country replicating this every year.

Enlightenedsista, yes I know it's only for islamic studies but the whole reason they are issuing out scholarships for that subject is because it's 'islamic studies' so what if they don't do it for other subjects it's not like you can pick and choose do you see uk doing the same.

[*Nobleman*]

Nobleman there is discrimination.Have you come across Somalida Somalia ka so hajiday? They are not treated like Somalida Britain/Westka ka so hajjiyey.

That's based on money not race

Yep its all about the finances. Just like a rich brit will enjoy a hajj of luxury compared to a regular brit who will experience a more modest hajj, no discrimination, just about the money. You gotta understand that all the tour operators are private companies. The more money one has the better service they get. Send your fam in somalia 5k and trust me they'll enjoy one hell of a nice hajj.