Saudi Arabia: Reverted Indian expatriate helps Haia uncover 1,300 violations

December 18, 2015

Jeddah, Dec 18: An Indian expatriate has helped the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (Haia) over the past 20 years uncover 1,300 violations, mostly related to the production and sale of alcohol, according to a local publication.

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Mohnish, 52, who has spent about 10 years living in Al-Ahsa, said he was a Hindu who became Muslim after arriving in the Kingdom. He had decided to help the Haia before converting to Islam because he was opposed to people carrying out illegal activities, according to the report.

“After I got the visa to work in the Kingdom, I decided that I should comply with the residency and labor regulations in the country to live a decent and good life.”

“I did not get married so that I could provide a decent life for my family in India, help my mother buy necessities for her house, and help my brothers marry because I am the eldest.”

He said taking up such responsibilities at an early age made him wonder why expatriates were leaving their homes and families to work abroad but were willing to disrespect and violate the laws of the country that was sustaining them.

He had been motivated by a sense of morality; and because he wanted to stop people breaking the law, which was have a damaging effect on the reputation of law-abiding fellow compatriots.

He said living in Al-Ahsa allowed him to see how true Muslims lived, and he then started reading more about Islam and attending the lectures of local preachers.

“I felt my heart was at peace and became convinced that I should convert to Islam. Haia members helped me and I uttered the two declarations of faith,” he said.

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Agencies
June 5,2020

Expatriate workers who fail to abide by the coronavirus protocols in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia may face deportation, according to media reports.

“Individuals who fail to abide by preventive measures, including wearing medical or cloth face masks, failing to observe social distancing and refusing to have their temperatures taken, will be fined SR1,000. The fine will be doubled if the violation is repeated. Residents will be deported after paying the fines,” Okaz newspaper said.

Authorities called on people to report offenders by dialling the toll free number 999, except for the holy city of Makka, where the toll free number is 911.

As per the newly-revised Saudi protocols, social gatherings such as mourning or celebration events that take place inside homes, rest houses or farms, are allowed, but attendants should not exceed 50 persons.

The private sector is also required to adhere to precautionary measures: providing their staff with disinfectants and sanitisers, taking the temperatures of both staff and customers at the entrances of shopping malls.

Other measures include sterilising shopping trolleys and baskets after each use, sanitising facilities and surfaces, closing children’s play areas and fitting rooms in shopping malls and ready-wear outlets.

Authorities highlighted the need for all individuals and entities to abide by health safety rules, social-distancing protocol and the new guidelines set for social gatherings.

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coastaldigest.com news network
May 12,2020

Riyadh, May 12: Saudi Arabia will impose a full-day lockdown and curfew across the Kingdom during the upcoming Eid holidays from May 23 until May 27, according to the Kingdom’s Interior Ministry.

Details are awaited

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News Network
May 18,2020

Abu Dhabi, May 18: Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has recorded a special message for Indian expats in the UAE as the country fights the coronavirus pandemic.

Khan - one of the biggest stars of Bollywood for decades - enjoys a large fan following in the Gulf, which is why Abu Dhabi roped in the actor to record a special video message for expats, urging them to cooperate with authorities in the capital and the country as they carry out sanitisation and testing programmes.

In the video, tweeted by the Abu Dhabi Media Office on Sunday night, the superstar appeals to Indians in Abu Dhabi to become heroes by staying home (stepping out for essential work/errands only), following precautionary measures and simply 'do the right thing' by getting tested if they have any Covid-19-related symptoms.

Khan, who has shot his recent super hit films (Race 3) in the capital, assured expats that Abu Dhabi authorities will not leave the community in these challenging times as it is a hospitable city who takes care of all residents.

"Following preventive measures also protects your family from the virus - so do the right thing as heroes do," Khan concludes.

The second phase of Abu Dhabi's sanitisation and testing in labour areas is underway, which started on May 16. Special testing facilities have been set up in the city for this purpose that test thousands of workers everyday.

As of May 17, UAE has confirmed over 23,000 cases along with over 8,000 recoveries and 220 deaths.

The country recently made a breakthrough in treating Covid-19 by using stem cells to help with the recovery.

The UAE leadership has thanked citizens and residents for their cooperation and assured that the country will take care of everyone in the country - with food and medicines being the red line, and that there will be no shortage of either during the crisis. Stimulus packages have been announced to help businesses stay afloat.

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