Arab News published a story reflecting the typical mindset prevailing here. The headline read: "Foreigners rename Makkah’s traditional neighborhoods". The story is talking about old districts in Makkah that are largely inhabited by Africans, and how the names of these districts are now being "changed" by those "foreigners". Excerpts:

Al-Mansour district is one of the oldest in Makkah and has carried this name for more than half a century. The majority of residents in this district are of African origin and have now divided the district into sections, giving each one a name to remind them of home.

A large segment of Al-Mansour was named Hosh Bakr (courtyard of Bakr). The place is named in honor of a Nigerian man named Bakr who was the first African resident in the area. Nearly everyone who lives in the neighborhood is of African origin.

This part of Al-Mansour district lies between high mountains and is famous for recycling scrap metal and manufacturing steel doors and windows.

The area is infamous for stolen goods and provides a safe haven for criminals. It is a common perception among residents of Makkah that Hosh Bakr is where a lot of illegal activity occurs. The area is also known for its black market.

The problem with this "foreigner" mindset is that it fails to recognize that these people have now been living here for generations. Will they still be considered "foreigners"?

Crimes of course should not be tolerated. The law should be strict and equal for all. But what about genuine problems that are being ignored? Take for example the African trash pickers. They have been around for decades. Most of them probably never saw the face of another country. Perhaps their grandparents or great-grandparents, who can now be called their ancestors, first came here. 

Legally they have no identity. They are considered 'illegals'. So, they cannot work in companies or start their own businesses; and their children cannot be sent to good schools for education. What do they do? 

Their women collect scrap from trash and make money by selling it to the recycling companies. Officials do know the problem exists. That's perhaps why they turn a blind eye to them. 

What about their men? What do they do? They are not largely visible to us. Some are seen washing cars, offering quad bikes for rent near corniche, and so on. And of course many of the Africans are known to be involved in crimes. Their undeveloped districts are so dangerous that sometimes even the police don't enter them. Stealing iqamas and returning them for a price is well-known to one and all living in Jeddah. But what should be avoided is generalization. Not all of them are criminals. 

Coming back to the trash pickers who are rendering such a useful service to society, I sometimes wonder what happens when they fall sick or when their children need urgent medical attention? They of course don't have insurance, nor is free medical treatment available to them. I wonder how they cope up with the necessities of life? They are good at what they do and they could do a lot more with proper education and support. They may in fact take Saudi Arabia's recycling industry to great new heights.

Aren't we collectively stifling the growth and development of these African communities and their generations to come?

Saudis really need to rethink the "foreigner" mindset. Can they imagine the country without the Bangladeshis or the Pakistanis or the Indonesis or the Amreekis or the Habashis? Such a country cannot be envisaged. And Saudis cannot replace them all. Every people have something to contribute. And as long as these people are here, why deprive them of their rights?

People are worried about crimes. But if opportunities are available and if the Shariah law is strictly implemented fairly and equally then crime rates will Insha Allah come down.

Moreover, shouldn't our identity as Muslims being one nation, without one race being held superior over the other, be present and prevalent in the heartland of Islam?