UP Ibalon Bicol: Saudi Arabia

Showing posts with label Saudi Arabia. Show all posts

2.5 million Muslims on a pilgrimage to Mecca

11/25/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

About 2.5 Islamists have arrived in Mecca, Saudi Arabia to participate in the annual pilgrimage amidst fears of swine flu and possibility of stampede. The holy ritual of Muslim believers coming together annually doesn’t come without risks. At least 4 people were reported to have died of H1N1 flu. There were deaths from panicked jostling, pushing, and trampling which marred past observances of the religious tradition.

Three years ago, 364 people died after a stampede broke at the entrance of the crowded Jamarat bridge, east of Mecca. A total of 1,426 pilgrims lost their lives after being trampled on in a fatal stampede in the crowded tunnel in Mina.

To avoid a repeat of tragedies, about 100,000 security men were called to manage the peace and order of the place. Hundreds of cameras were set up to watch the conduct of the religious celebration. An extimated 20,000 healthcare personnel were made available to give medical services to the pilgrims. A 300,000 square meter expansion of the site had been on the works to accommodate a million more visitors to the religious site.(Photo Credit: Life.com) =0=

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Labels: H1N1 virus, Haj, Islam, Mecca, Muslim, pilgrimage, religion, Saudi Arabia, stampede, Swine flu, Totie Mesia

Woman TV journalist gets 60 lashes in Saudi Arabia

10/25/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

A female TV journalist who works with the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation (LBC,) was sentenced by a Saudi Court to receive 60 lashes after the company where she is employed is found not to have a license to operate in the Islamic country.

The Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation (LBC,) had been a popular television station which showed western-style entertainment programs and talk shows. A TV presentation in LBC which featured a man’s premarital sexual experiences drew outcry from the highly conservative public.

For his revelations, Mazen Abdul-Awad, a divorced father of four, was sentenced to five years in jail and 1,000 lashes. The 22 year old lady journalist said she had nothing do with Abdul-Awad’s sexual confessions, but she refused to contest the verdict against her. ---Reuters (10/24/09, Alsharif, A.)

In Saudi Arabia, judges who serve as religious clerics at the same time and adhere to the strict Wahhabi form of Islam have far-reaching influence and power. They are allowed to rule on legal matters sticking to their personal interpretation of the Islamic law. A sizeable number of their decisions are questionable and deemed arbitrary. (Photo Credit: hnn.us) =0=

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Labels: Islam, lashes, laws, Saudi Arabia, Totie Mesia, TV and radio, Wahhabi

Golden penis enlarger studded with jewels for a Saudi man

8/06/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

A Saudi Arabian wanted to help himself and ordered a custom-made penile enlarger. Instead of the usual $400 worth of adult gadget sold in novelty stores, he opted for a golden appliance with 40 diamond stones and ruby decorations to enhance his manhood. With the help of a jeweller, X4 Labs, a Canadian company, was commissioned to craft the unusual order pegged at a price of $50,000.

The gilded penis enlarger is one of a kind that opens possibilities to pamper the male ego and assuage a man's insecurities. There must be a market for such costly sex gadget and it can inspire others to place their own orders.

So perhaps, the next thing to do is find the right deodorizer and antiseptic to keep the adult toy odor free and clean. (Photo Credit: Mika Hiironiemi) =0=

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Labels: Diamond, gem, jewelry, peniis, penile enlarger, Saudi Arabia, Totie Mesia

Child-bride divorces her 50 year old husband

5/02/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

In Saudi Arabia a judge permitted an 8 year-old girl to divorce her 50 year-old groom. The girl was forced into marriage in August 2008 after her father run into debts and got a $13,000 dowry for his daughter. The mother of the bride objected and sought annulment.

Because there is no law in Saudi Arabia that rules on the marrying age, human rights groups pressure the Saudi government to enact a law to protect children in this situation.

“The 8-year-old girl's marriage was not the only one in the kingdom to receive attention in recent months. Saudi newspapers have highlighted several cases in which young girls were married off to much older men or young boys including a 15-year-old girl whose father, a death-row inmate, married her off to a cell mate.”---Yahoo.News.com/ AP (04/30/0, Al-Shalchi, H)

Upheld by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UNICEF executive director Ann Veneman stressed the right to a free and full consent in contracting marriage which is absent when the union involves a party that is too young to make such consent and informed decision.

Joining calls to end the practice of marriage by minors, the United States called such marriages as human rights violations. Undersecretary of state for political affairs William Burns said in a conference:

"Child marriage is, unfortunately, still common in much of Saudi Arabia and we have voiced our concern about this practice at the highest levels…We were encouraged by reports that the Justice Ministry had begun to review the legal age of marriage."----CNN.com (04/30/09, Jamjoom, M; Abedine, S)

Some Saudi officals are open to make laws aimed to protect the under-aged. The country’s legislature, the Shura Council, are deliberating to put into law a suggestion that 18 years should be minimum age for marriage. (Photo credit: tj_2000pk x 2) =0=

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Labels: bride, children, human rights, laws, marriage, Saudi Arabia, social, Totie Mesia, tradition, Unicef, wedding

Ships hijacked by pirates, an earthquake in Indonesia and the decline of RP peso

11/19/2008 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

7

Is the total number of ships hijacked by Somali pirates on since November 5, 2008 in the Aden Gulf. The latest hijacked ships are operated by the Islamic Republic of Iran and that of Saudi Arabia, a super oil tanker carrying $100 million worth of crude oil. In the past ransoms were paid to recover the ships, but nations are finding ways to foil piracy in the busiest sea lane of the world.

P49.96

At the close of business trading on November 18, 2008, the peso-dollar exchange has floundered close to P50/per dollar. The slide of the peso value is expected to continue as local and foreign effects of recession take its full effect.

7.5

Recorded in the Richter’s scale is strength of the quake that hit Indonesian island Sulawesi on November 17, 2008 which reportedly killed at least 6 persons, toppling houses and injuring scores of people. A tsunami warning from US officials in the area was raised within 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) from the quake’s origin, but was later lifted.

$1.2 billion

Bangko Sentral of the Philippines (BSP,) discloses this amount of deficit in the balance of payments (BOP) mainly attributed to capital flight, weak exports, and payment of maturing obligations. BOP is the record of the country’s transactions with the rest of the world and its deficit in October 2008 reduces this year’s surplus in a 10 month period to $345 million, down from $7.87 billion registered year-on-year.

77

Is the reported number of people who contracted typhoid fever in Quezon. Caused by Salmonella typhosa, the diarrheal disease with systemic manifestations is linked with contaminated water supply. The Department of Health (DOH,) advises boiling of water and frequent hand-washing to counter the spread of the disease. In a separate outbreak, 2 persons died of another diarrheal illness in Misamis Oriental. Reported on 11/18/08, about 1,000 people have sought treatment in the hospital for complaints which are suspicious of cholera. (Photo Credit: by Moody_fingers) =0=

Labels: Bangko Central ng Pilipina (BSP), cholera, DOH, earthquake, economy, foreign exchange, illness, Indonesia, Iran, Philippines, pirates, Saudi Arabia, ship hijack, Somalia, Totie Mesia, Typhoid

Rising executions in Saudi Arabia, RP’s ritzy rich & Filipinos rooting for artificial contraception

10/19/2008 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

72

This is the number of government-sanctioned gruesome executions in Saudi Arabia this year according to the count of Associated Press. The Amnesty International (AI,) a human rights watch group however says in 2008, there have been 158 executions, a four-fold increase from last year’s count. Amnesty International (AI) decries the outrageous killings especially among foreigners including those who are underaged. In spite of Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo's plea to spare OFW Venancio Ladion, he was beheaded this week on charges of murder.

US $3.1 billion

The estimated net worth of Henry Sy, the Philippines’ most rich man according to Forbes Asia 2008. Business wizard Lucio Tan comes second with a net worth of US $1.5billion.

P48.10

Amid fears of worldwide economic recession, the Philippine peso tumbled to a new low of P48.10/dollar and the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) index fell by 5.18%. Eddie Gobing of the Lucky Securities Inc feels “the worst is not over” for the peso’s downward trend. This comes on the wake of about $521.7 million in investment outflow leaving the country in the first 9 months of this year. The highest net outflow was in September coincident to the economic meltdown in Wall Street.

50,000 OFWs

The Filipino workers who could prematurely return home from jobs abroad in case a US recession occurs and affects the economic stability of other countries.

70%

From the Social Weather Stations' (SWS) survey on September 24 to 27, 2008, 7 of 10 Filipinos (70%) support a law that will allow the government to dispense condoms, IUD’s, and contraceptive pills to people who request for them. Contrary to the Roman Catholic Church's teaching which advocates for natural family planning method, the public now shows growing support for artificial contraception.

This reflects a shift in favor of the House Bill 5043 (Rep. Edcel Lagman's Reproductive Health Bill) to institute artificial family planning methods in the country---a long-drawn contentious issue between traditional religious belief and government policy to control population. (Photo Credits: Citizensugar; MsWong-scribbles.blogspot.com)=0=

Labels: Amnesty International, Catholic, contraception, death, economy, Edcel Lagman, execution, family planning, Henry Sy, OFW, religion, Reproductive Health Bill, Saudi Arabia

Amidst complacency and denial, terror persists, USA & the world still on the edge

9/11/2008 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Two days before the 7th year after 911, a bipartisan report suggests that the United States is still dangerously at risk of being attacked by weapons of mass destruction (WMB’s.) Democrats critical of Pres. George W. Bush are quick to highlight the dangers. And they don’t leave the psyche of Americans traumatized by the randomness of the attack.

“The report and supporting studies describe the failure of international cooperation to prevent terrorists from obtaining weapons of mass destruction, which they call a major problem. Many countries continue to ignore a United Nations mandate to prevent the spread of weapons; the ability of many countries to monitor potential bioterrorism is "essentially nonexistent," and dangerous chemical weapons stockpiles remain in some countries, including Russia and Libya, the report said.” AP (09/09/08, BlackledgeB; SullivanE.)

In spite of moves to make the homeland secure, the nature of terrorism makes it hard to wipe out the threats. This worry is part of the legacy of 911 when the rules of engagement of war have been defined by a small group of extremists who are bent to make America and the rest of the civilized world accede to Al Qaeda's and other Islamic toxic ideology of hate.

Bringing America down has serious implications in emerging and poor countries like the Philippines whose economies will further suffer in the midst of a threat of war, worldwide recession, dwindling resources, and exploding population. Though Pres. Bush must be credited for foiling a number of plots and in improving security during his administration, many don’t look at it this way. It is hard to see success in prevention that has an astronomical price tag.

The cost of underwriting a protective shield for Americans and the world is causing a toll on the US economy. Only when another attack as spectacular and hideous as 911 will Americans, (especially the cynical and complacent) will realize that the world they know has been turned upside down by a few rogues who wait for the singular chance to do harm and damage. Terror resonates in 911 and the attacks in Madrid, London, Jerusalem, Riyadh, Nairobi, Bali, Manila and other cities worldwide. As security experts experts have said, it’s not a question of if that another attack will be waged, but when. (Photo Credits: AP/TayloC;bp.blogspot)=0=

Labels: 911, Al Qaeda, economy, England, Indonesia, Islam, Israel, Kenya, Libya, nuclear weapons, Philippines, politics, Pres. Bush, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, terrorism, USA

Belying nurse surplus with unfilled 20,000 foreign jobs---a slanted view of RP’s unemployment problem

9/02/2008 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

After Ruth Padilla, a commissioner of the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) announced there are 400,000 currently unemployed nurses in the Philippines, Jackson Gan, the vice-president of the Federated Association of Manpower Exporters and his organization belie the excess of nurses because there are unfilled “20,000 job orders for nurses in the Middle East, Singapore, and Europe.” Inquirer (09/01/08, Uy, V.)

By numbers alone, 20,000 jobs Gan speaks of don’t come close to 400,000 jobless licensed nurses that Padilla is referring to. Even if these foreign jobs are filled, there remain 380,000 licensed nurses who aren’t employed. Many more nurses are scheduled to finish their courses and take the boards, adding more numbers in the jobless pool. So how can Gan prove his point?

On Gan's admission many nurses are shifting to other jobs in computers, call centers, medical transcriptions, or other employment unrelated to their education out of desperation. Is this not a sign of an oversupply? The existence of foreign job offers abroad doesn’t negate the reality of joblessness at home, the place where Filipinos must be in the first place.

Speaking for the manpower establishment (also maybe for the POEA as well,) whose main role is to fill in workers, Gan sounds condescending in saying that our nurses aren’t qualified for the job. This isn’t entirely true--- knowing that they went through standard accredited study and were licensed as professionals by the Philippine Regulations Commission (PRC.)

Almost everyone knows there is slowing in hiring coincident to the way-ward increase in the number of nurses in the supply pool. Contrary to Gan’s assertion, Filipino nurses want to go abroad even in countries other than the United States, but there are reasons other than the prejorative label of “not being qualified” that are keeping them at home

The lack of two-year experience in a 250-bed hospital is the reason Gan cites for the unfilled foreign jobs. But this is simplistic and misleading for the turn-over of nurses in big hospitals is brisk. Because of the US back-log (not enough visas are available,) many nurses who already passed the NCLEX are forced to wait for at least 2 years, just the right time for them to comply with the experience requirement.

It is more likely therefore, the 20,000 foreign positions aren’t filled (if truly they exist) is because the jobs offered aren’t attractive enough--- the workplace can be “unsafe,” the terms of the contract may be unacceptable, there can be family issues that remain unresolved on immigration, or the offer of going abroad poses difficult cultural and language barriers that is hard to meet. Above all, many applicants may not have the cash to finance their foreign applications forcing them to work and save first before pursuing their plans abroad.

Reported in the news before, Spain wants Filipino nurses, but job-seekers need to learn Spanish---a task that has nothing to do with the nurse’s ability to care for patients in the hospital. Why will they learn Spanish when they are even struggling with the English language which takes them too long to master? Similarly, Belgium also needs nurses, but they have to speak in Belgian. Saudi Arabia may have jobs, but horror stories abound from nurses and overseas foreign workers (OFW’s) who worked in countries where the treatment of women and foreigners are different. There are scary reports of maids in Lebanon and other parts of the Middle East who commit suicide because of maltreatment, rape, isolation, and intolerable working conditions.

Gan and people with his mindset need to simply look around to say what they are saying is lopsided, a cheap letdown against the nurses, themselves helpless victims of inept education and labor planning. He speaks from the vantage point of an astute labor-peddler whose interest is mainly to deploy workers in jobs without much regard of the welfare of Filipinos braving the uncertainties and hardships in the world outside. =0=

Labels: immigration, Jackson Gan, jobs, Lebanon, Middle East, nurses, OFW, overseas worker, Philippines, POEA, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Totie Mesia

The essence of being a nurse, a P10 million bribe, an OFW's complaint against RP officials in Saudi Arabia, & Dolphy's secret of being young

8/01/2008 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

"Palagay ko, it's my job. Kapag nasa linya ng comedy, wala akong iniisip kung hindi katatawanan at puro comedy ginagawa ko. Making people laugh is fun talaga. It's better sa buhay."
---Dolphy remarks on his secret of being young at age 80.

"Considering our depressed condition and lowered people’s morale, it is clear that uncoordinated, quickie and populist projects will not work and be just a waste of time, resources and goodwill,"
---Former Pres. Fidel Ramos on the dismal policies of Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo

“Should we worry? There will be pain but maybe worrying too much is too much. We will survive this eventually.”
---Dr. Cayetano Paderanga Jr., a professor at the UP School of Economics on the deteriorating economy and lack of morale of the people.

"More than three million children between the ages of 6 and 15 are now out of school. What is her administration going to do about it? Judging from her SONA -- nothing, other than hand out a few scholarships,’’
---ACT-UP Chairman Antonio Tinio asks the government on what to do with children who can’t afford to go to school.

“My advantage of being half-Filipino, half-German is having an exotic beauty which I think is not common with other people. But for me, it’s my multi-cultural values which set me apart because these make me a better and stronger person.”
---Princess Uhrig, a mixed-race candidate in the Miss Limburg-Belgium beauty pageant to be held in September.

“Promoting an NFP-only policy goes against our commitment to the Millennium Development Goals, which targets increased access to reproductive health services and contraceptive prevalence rate -- covering both modern natural and artificial methods -- to 60 percent by 2010 and 80 percent by 2015,"
---Ramon San Pascual, director of the Phil. Legislator's Population and Development Foundation Committee, airing objection to the Roman Catholic Church stand against artificial contraception.

“So, they were talking of a win-win situation, which meant offering P10 million for me to give way to Justice Reyes. I politely declined that offer and told the emissary that it was not only a matter of principle but that it will [also] affect the integrity of the court. Before he left, he told me that they were still hoping that I could see it their way,”
--- Court of Appeals Justice Jose Sabio bares a scandalous bribery offer he got from someone whom he believes to be an emissary of Meralco.

“Palitan n’yo na lahat ng nakaupo mula sa ibaba hanggang sa itaas. Imbes na sila ang makatulong sa amin, sila pa nagpapahirap sa amin"
---OFW Armando Navarro who said while calling for the replacement of Philippine Consular officials in Saudi Arabia.

“I regret what I did. I'm ready to face any punishment because he is my son,"
---says a desperate man of Legazpi City who stabbed his three month old baby for he can’t care for him any longer.

"When you decide to become a nurse, you have to have passion to serve and to care. The essence of nursing is to care for the people,"
---Nurse Board topnotcher Aira Therese S.Javier said. She believes going abroad must not be the primary motivation of her colleagues in the profession. =0=

Labels: Accountability, Corruption, Dolphy, economy, Education, entertainment, family planning, Fidel Ramos, Filipinos, government, Justice, life, Middle East, nurses, OFW, Philippines, poor, Saudi Arabia

UP Ibalon Bicol

2.5 million Muslims on a pilgrimage to Mecca

Woman TV journalist gets 60 lashes in Saudi Arabia

Golden penis enlarger studded with jewels for a Saudi man

Child-bride divorces her 50 year old husband

Ships hijacked by pirates, an earthquake in Indonesia and the decline of RP peso

Rising executions in Saudi Arabia, RP’s ritzy rich & Filipinos rooting for artificial contraception

Amidst complacency and denial, terror persists, USA & the world still on the edge

Belying nurse surplus with unfilled 20,000 foreign jobs---a slanted view of RP’s unemployment problem

The essence of being a nurse, a P10 million bribe, an OFW's complaint against RP officials in Saudi Arabia, & Dolphy's secret of being young

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