Making A Difference

Suddenly 'Alienated'

The bloodbath at the Oasis sends a frisson of panic down Saudi-based Indians

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Suddenly 'Alienated'
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The website of a group that calls itself the 'Qaeda organisation in the Arabian peninsula' had earlier listed their targets to include Jews of any nationality, plus Americans, Britons, Spaniards, Australians, Canadians and Italians. Indians were the latest, most chilling addition.

Says Cherian, "The website maybe the work of some prankster. But until now we always thought we were immune as Al Qaeda always spewed its hatred against westerners and the rulers, but when they include us and say we too are infidels, that is worrying. I've thought of applying to hospitals in the UAE or Oman, or activate my citizenship to Canada. Qaeda's terror is spreading." His colleague, who'd only say he too is a Keralite, says he's going to wait till the end of the school term in September before making a move. When pushed, he admits, "You could see a summer exodus of families, yes, my family could be one of them."

Indian diplomats in Saudi Arabia insist there is no panic among the Indian community as it was obvious that at least one of the men who was killed, insurance agent Lawrence Monis, was shot inadvertently as he was driving by. The other Indians were mainly maintenance and service staff working as plumbers, electricians and workers at the Oasis complex which houses the Tower hotel where guests to the oil facilities stayed.

The diplomats argue that few Indians would give up their tax-free incomes for the travails of unemployment and tackling life back in the home country, or even for resettling in third countries like Canada and New Zealand. "Whoever is spreading this canard does not have the best interests of India at heart," says one diplomat. At risk would be remittances worth US$ 4 billion every year, mostly to Kerala, which many refer to as a money order economy, kept afloat by cash from the Gulf countries. Any panic exodus is also likely to impact Indo-Saudi ties, which are more oil- and energy-centred than strategic.The Saudis are known to take retaliatory action. After the Gujarat pogrom against Muslims, many non-Muslims found their work visa applications rejected. Saudi Arabia remains the largest supplier of crude oil to India, accounting for nearly 20 per cent of the country's needs.

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