Saudi Blogs

Check out Ahmed’s neat selection of the 10 Must Read Saudi Blogs.

I would like to thank Ahmed for including my blog in his list (where he rightly describe it as angry) and for introducing me and other readers to Saudi blogs of note.

Also, Usama Hussain's article about Saudi blogs is out: A new voice in conservative Arabia. The article sheds light on the diversity Saudi bloggers opinions and their struggle to be heard in a country where free speech is limited and controlled by state owned media.

Comments

[Silverdragon]

Hi there - you might be interested to read this article on an Australian online independent current affairs site:

http://www.newmatilda.com/home/articledetailmagazine.asp?ArticleID=2355&CategoryID=209

Good luck with your blog and don't lose your optimism - the world can still be a beautiful place - it just needs a little help and a big dose of common sense right now!!

Cheers from Down Under!

[mohammed]

http://www.danielpipes.org/blog/2004/07/timeshare-comes-to-mecca

Jan. 23, 2009 update: That pious talk about building Le Meridien Towers (in Arabic: Burj Al Muttahed) in Mecca with "Sharia principles" and "Islamic values" (see the Oct. 2, 2005 update, above) turns out to have been a cover for fraud. The Towers' website posted a long and complex announcement today explaining what went wrong: the key paragraph is this one, referring to Saudi Amjad (SA) and Al Fassel Global Services (AF):

Although a lot of clients have received their deeds for the properties they have purchased, there are the unlucky few who have not. After several enquires to AF and SA, these clients were told that due to internal issues their deeds had been delayed and would be issued soon. However, it quickly became apparent that AF was holding on to some of the funds and not passing everything to SA and that was one of the reasons why the deeds had not been issued.

Looking to the future,

Al Muttahed have recently announced that they will buy back all the units from every purchaser that has in the possession a set of title deeds at the initial purchase price. … For clients who still have no title deeds – Unfortunately Al Muttahed is not offering a refund in your situation.

Comment: This stunning news confirms a pattern of irregularity in Islamic finances.

Mar. 2, 2009 update: A second letter to timeshare owners informs them that Al Muttahed is not replying and the Saudi embassy in London won't help.

Mar. 9, 2009 update: A third letter sounds even more despondent: owners are elaborately instructed how to send their deeds back to Al Muttahed in Riyadh, followed by this observation: "Insha'Allah, we pray that upon receipt of your documents, Al Muttahed will action the payment ASAP, which should be credited to your account."

June 16, 2009 update: I discuss this general problem of fraud at "Be Careful of Investing in Islamic Financial Institutions."

[mohammed]

HRH Prince Faisal bin Mugrin bin Abdulaziz, son of Prince Mugrin head of internal security, Al Muttahed a leading Saudi development firm listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange and Northcourse owned by Wyndham a NYSE company have been involved with a property scandal in the holy city of Mecca(Makkah) Saudi Arabia.

Le Meridien Hotel Towers Makkah offered a noble and spiritually rewarding product to Non Saudi's however this blessed gift is nothing but a shameful con.

The product was exclusively marketed globally by North Course based out of Dubai with ambitions of being the leading timeshare advisors, managers and operators in the entire Gulf region.

In cahoots with Saudi firms, (Saudi Amjad/Al Muttahed (a Saudi StockCompany) & Al Fassel Global Services) Northcourse, the creators of this project have been perpetrating a holy sin, marketing and promising the blessed gift of owning property in Holy Makkah close to the prophets Mosque to Non Saudis knowing full well that what they were doing was illegal, immoral and plainly deceiving buyers.

Le Meridien the hotel chain purported to be the timeshare resort managers through disclaimers denies any association with the project

"It has come to the attention of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., (Starwood) that units at Le Meridien Towers Makkah hotel in Saudi Arabia are being offered for sale or rent as condominiums or timeshare by third parties. These timeshare units are not offered, licensed, sponsored or endorsed by Starwood, Le Meridien brand or any Starwood affiliates.

Starwood and Le Meridien brand disclaim any relationship with such timeshare or condominium units."

Apartments have also been sold to non Muslims as North Course claimed the investment would reap huge financial rewards, with the developer (Saudi Amjad / Al Muttahed) being aware to what was going on and signing contracts and issuing title deeds.

How can the Saudi Government condone this kind of scandal, this blasphemy in the Holy City? Northcourse, Almuttahed and Al Fassel Global Services need investigating and serious action taken against them, using the holy city for business purposes and cheating faithful out of money in this way is shameful.

The Saudi, other Gulf authorities should punish the perpetrators of this evil crime. Muslim companies, communities, mosques and Governments around the world should boycott doing business with the companies mentioned above.

[athar]

I am pursuing legal action against these companies and also the government for supporting and hiding this scam. I am also preparing background information and research to take this exposure to CBS News and FOX News to run on programs like 60 Minutes, etc.

I am based in the USA and this is not a scam since you will not be paying me any money whatsoever. I can be contacted at rafiqathar@yahoo.com and you must provide legal documentation showing proof that you invested in LeMeridien Timeshare. If we can be objective, and organize detail information then we can expose them and shame them globally.

[RSA]

Its truly amazing what the power of blogging can do. I myself am a witness to its awesome ability.

[Display Centres]

Blogging has the power to touch lives and to communicate with others even if they are far away.

[business opportunity]

Blogs have touched countless lives, it has given many the power to touch lives.

[Job]

Nice for them to appreciate the power that blogs have.

[generic viagra]

i need to get /purchase a list of all destinations in the world,
including their translation in main languages.
for example London is Londen in dutch, Londra in Italian, etc.

Can anyone help and point me in the right direction??

[Rob~ multi pictures frames]

In country where media is very limited, blogging is the perfect way to share opinions , issues and communicate amongst its citizen and to the outside world. That's the power of blogging, without this, there's no way I can be informed or learned this issues or what's going on in your country.

[timeshare value]

There are a few unfortunates who did not. After several questions to the FA and SA, customers, said that internal problems because of their actions has been delayed and will be published shortly.

[Government Funded Courses]

This is very useful post

[Jordan Shoes]

1- I am from Hijaz, Saudi Arabia. 2- I am currently studying in the US & fully legal. 3- Since I am an alien (according to the law), I am allowed to make grammatical mistakes and endless run-ons. 4- I do pick sides and call them "educated opinions." (I am pro-choice). 5- I believe that the number one worst export of America is "McDonalds",

[dreambox]

شكرا على التدوينه ومنتظرين جديدكم

[West Africa Gold Exploration]

I regularly come at Ahmed’s articles and comments.‎ and yours article is a great one too.
Thanks again for sharing.

[Furniture restoration]

I was looking for such a feature.Hope to read more interesting articles.Thank you for this.great job.

[Penny Stocks]

Blog is so great that people can share thoughts and ideas to each other.

[Promotional product]

Thanks a lot for the wonderful article that you share. :) ahmed add you on his list he add one of my list too.. its really great!

[Training Online]

Great thoughts and ideas. Well done

[Moncler Doudoune]

This type of repression, I assume, would never happen in a country which claims that its opening up for reform and citizen participation in policy making. No matter how you look at it, spying on and controlling what people do in their own homes is simply an infringement on the dignity and basic rights of citizens.

[TAFE]

Freedom of speech and expression never can or should be repressed. Doing so always causes revolts.