Author: Yasir Imran

Yasir Imran is a Pakistani national living in Saudi Arabia since 2004. He writes because he want to express his thoughts and share his knowledge about expatriate issues in Saudi Arabia.

Ar Ruddaf Park Taif Pictures

Yasir Imran

Ar Ruddaf Park or Al-Rudaf Park is a beautiful man made park located at heart of Taif. In the middle of the park there are dancing fountains which are operated with music beats. Last weekend I visited Ar Ruddaf Park Taif city, Saudi Arabia and I got a chance to take some pictures.

I would like to share them here as I like it there very much. Although I did not get a chance to see those dancing fountains because they operated in the evening time & I got to leave for home before evening, still you will love park scenery and beauty. There are huge rocks at various spots in the park which adds a lot to its beauty & natural look.

The park opens for public on selective days during the weekend. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. So make sure if you are planning to visit there go on above mentioned week days.
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We love to work and live in Saudi Arabia say expats

Yasir Imran

A recent survey My Yellow Brick Road conducted by The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) reaffirms that migrant professionals residing in Saudi Arabia feel secure, happy and fulfilled in the kingdom due to a wide variety of reasons.

There are 151 people participated aged 30 years in average, in the survey throughout Saudi Arabia. 46 percent think that safety is the key reason of their satisfaction, 44 percent think comfort of friendships is the best reason, while 34.6 percent think comfortable lifestyle in the kingdom is best reason.

Participants said they had collectively achieved several goals, Money savings (54.6 per cent), a better lifestyle (38 per cent), buying a home (37.5 per cent), and paying for education (32 per cent).
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New Regulations & Fines by Ministry of Labor

Yasir Imran

Saudi Ministry of Labor (MoL) will impose various fines on employers / companies who are unable to follow new regulations. Below is the summary of these fines under new regulations, please note we have compiled this for information sharing purpose only, you may visit actual news site for further clarification.

SR 2,000 fine on employer on keeping passport of employee with him.

SR 3,000 fine under wage protection program on companies who are unable to pay salaries on-time to their workers. This amount of fine will be for each unpaid worker. Furthermore workers will be allowed to transfer their services to another company without the need of approval from current employer. Wage protection program will be compulsory for companies who are having at least 11 workers and a maximum of 100 workers on Feb 2016.

SR 5,000 fine on employer if he did not provide a copy of contract to his workers.

SR 10,000 fine on employer for offering such a job to male worker which is restricted for female worker.
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SAUDI HORECA 2015 Biggest Hospitality Food & Beverage Exhibition in Saudi Arabia

Yasir Imran

Saudi Horeca 2015 Exhibition

HORECA is the biggest annual hospitality exhibition. HORECA Exhibition has been running in various Middle Eastern Countries like Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait from more than 22 years. Saudi Horeca 2015 held from 18-20 Oct 2015 in Riyadh. It has been running in Saudi Arabia from 5 years. There are more than 113 local and international companies participated in this exhibition making it a big success.

HORECA is the biggest annual hospitality exhibition. HORECA Exhibition has been running in various Middle Eastern Countries like Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait from more than 22 years. Saudi Horeca 2015 started in Saudi Arabia from 2010 and up to 2015 it runs for 5 times in the Kingdom. There are more than 113 local and international companies participated in this exhibition making it a big success.

In Saudi Arabia, Horeca has been organized by SEMARK – Saudi Event Management & Marketing Company. Horeca features a host of activities and shows including workshops, culinary art show and much more. It has been held in RICEC – Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center which offers 4 halls of 15000 square meters and parking capacity of 1500 cars.
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Human Trafficking in Saudi Arabia – News Report

Yasir Imran

Saudi Gazette has reported that Summary courts in Makkah and Jeddah have charged 24 with human trafficking and they are sentenced to 10 years imprisonment along with 1000 lashes and fine from 20,000 to 100,000 Saudi Riyals. Below is the infographic showing details of the court’s decision.

Court's Decision on Human Trafficking Saudi Arabia
Court’s Decision on Human Trafficking Saudi Arabia

Source: Saudi Gazette

Higher Education in Saudi Arabia: The Way It Works

Yasir Imran
Higher Education in Saudi Arabia
Image Source: www.kau.edu.sa

Standing on the pinnacle of growth with economy proliferating at a rapid rate, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the most lucrative options for leading a comfortable life in every aspect. Right from the best employment options in its booming economic spheres, to a multitude of opportunities for those looking forward to pursue higher education, the KSA has always looked forward to harbor expatriates and talented individuals from all around the globe.

The article below will build on the same line of thought and discuss regarding the higher education system in Saudi Arabia. Give it a glance to gain a better insight before you’re on your flight to this exotic kingdom.

The Universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Post its entry into the era of globalization in the early 1970s, higher education became a focus for the Saudi regime to shape the economy in the most efficient way. Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) was established in the year 1975, with the foremost objective to incept institutions to serve the same purpose throughout the kingdom. Consequently, as of 2014 there are 25 public and private universities in Saudi Arabia.
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What we call some common Iqama professions in Arabic

Yasir Imran

I have compiled a list of some Iqama Professions & their relevant meaning in Arabic. I have also added another column where you can pronounce these professions correctly in Arabic. Please note that this post is not related with Family visa neither these professions below have any relevancy with getting family visa.

If you are looking for information regarding family visa you may read information under Family Visa category. Below is a list of Professions, Their Arabic Meaning & Pronunciation e.g How do we speak them.

ProfessionsName in ArabicHow to Pronounce
AccountantمحاسبMu-ha-sib
Architectمهندس معماريMu-han-dis Ma-ma-ri
BankerمصرفيMas-rafi
CarpenterالنجارAl-Naj-jar
CookطبخTab-bakh
Dentistطبيب أسنانTabeeb Asnan
DesignerمصممMu-sam-um
DoctorطبيبTabeeb
DriverسواقSaww-wag
ElectricianكهربائيKa-har-baii
EngineerمهندسMu-han-dis
FarmerمزارعMa-za-ray
General Accountantمحاسب عامMu-ha-sib Aaam
General Workerعامل عاديAamil Aye-di
Graphic Designerمصمم جرافيكMu-sam-um Jara-fic
LawyerمحامMu-haam
MechanicميكانكيMi-kaan-ki
PilotطيارTeyy-yar
Postmanساعي البردSaa-ie Al-Bareed
SalesmanبائعBaaye
ProgrammerمبرمجMu-bar-maj
SecretaryسكرتيرSekr-tair
TeacherمعلمMu-Al-lim
Worker / LaborعاملAamil
WriterكاتبKaa-teb
GuardحارسHaa-ris
SponsorكفيلKaf-fil
JobوظيفةWaz-zeef-fah
WorkعملAmal
ProjectمشروعMash-rooh

Termination of Work Contract in Saudi Arabia: Avoid These to Stay in Your Job

Yasir Imran

work-contract-saudi-arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia- a country harboring millions of professionals from all across the globe, stands as a lucrative option for all those looking forward to lead a comfortable professional life. A country with nearly 31% of its population constituting expats sure does entice any individual to secure a job offer here. But there are certain subtleties you need to comprehend with, before you’re on your flight to Saudi Arabia.

One such thing to consider is the employment contract you’re going to sign. Of course, you know about it being both in English and Arabic, but is that all?

What about the termination and related clauses? Yes, it does need some space of you mind and thoughtful consideration. Hence, the section below will seek to discuss the same and help you gain a clear insight about the employment contract in the KSA and the clauses leading to its termination.
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