சவுதி அரேபிய இளைஞர்களிடையே சாதிவெறி முற்றுகிறது: அதிர்ச்சி ரிப்போர்ட்

தங்களுடைய ஜாதியை குறிக்க மூன்று எண்களை பயன்படுத்துகிறார்கள். இந்த எண்களை மற்ற சவுதி இளைஞர்களும் புரிந்துகொள்கிறார்கள். தங்களுடைய சாதியை பெருமையாக கூறிக்கொள்ள தங்களது எண்களை கூறுகிறார்கள்.

கீழ் சாதியை சேர்ந்த அரபு இளைஞர்களை கிண்டல் செய்யவும் துன்புறுத்தவும் அவர்களது எண்களை உரத்து கூறுவதும் பழக்கமாக ஆகிவருகிறது.

Saudi ‘Tribal Codes’ Draw Mixed Response
Ali Al-Zahrani, Arab News


RIYADH, 7 March 2008 — Increasingly, young Saudis are using three-digit numeric codes to indicate their tribal affiliations. Among the codes used by them to identify the tribes they originate from are 511, 505, 502, 707, 711, 501 and 111.

The code is aimed at others who know how the numbers translate.

The numbers indicate the number-bearer’s tribe and, by implication, where his loyalty lies.

These numbers are showing up in school, cars and in graffiti. Some, like Saad Al-Otaibi, an high school student who has seen taunting among students of different tribes, told Arab News such numbers could have a negative impact.

“Sometimes the codes put on notebooks generate arguments and fights in classrooms as pupils take pride in their tribe and make fun of other tribes,” said Al-Otaibi.

“Even though the legitimacy of tribal loyalty as a solid social alliance is unquestionable, the pride has reached an extent where certain people look down on others,” said Muhammad Makdari, an Arabic-language teacher.

Muhammad Al-Zulfa, a member of the Shoura (Consultative) Council, denounced the trend, saying the purpose behind them was not conducive to promoting unity in the Kingdom. “This is a dangerous phenomenon,” he said. “That is why we need to create awareness to unify ourselves under a symbol, which is our leader, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.”

Others say that the numbers amount to little more than harmless pride in family names, much like allegiance to a sports team.

“The code has a special place in my heart,” said Muhammad Al-Qahtani, an intermediate school student. “It represents strength and loyalty to my tribe.”

Some students claim that the trend started in the Eastern Province when locals distinguished others by their areas of residence inside public housing complexes in Al-Jubail Industrial area. Saudis from a certain tribe would be often found in a certain area with a three-digit code similar to a zip code in the US. The location code then evolved into a code for particular tribes.

“I really do not know where these codes came from. I only learned of it now when I saw the codes glued to the windows of my big brother’s car,” said Al-Qahtani.