This is written in a response to a cartoon drawn by Rabea – Al-Riyadh, on July 20 2003 in ARABNEWS newspaper. First and foremost, I’d like to express my immense gratitude to Rabea for bringing up such topic. Secondly, I’d like to accentuate on this matter as it is of great importance. Thus,

Nepotism without doubt has become a seriously disseminated phenomenon practiced throughout the Kingdom, and has been an issue of great significance, that has to be settled and adjudicated right away. Such dangerous matter, as it is, is marked by not only utter injustice but also clear-cut partiality and crystal-clear deception of one’s faith as well as of line of work.

This sort of favoritism or discrimination is heavily frowned upon by pagan people, and can be hardly, if not never, practiced by them, and so is it by us, Muslims, isn’t it? We certainly believe most Saudis, if not all, would say we are Muslims; yet, we can barely find one practicing the laws and rules of Islam when it comes to such matter. Why is it so? Do we not claim that we are pure Muslims? Are we not faithful Muslims? Do we not respect our religion? Do we not fear the wrath of Allah? Do we not think of the brevity of life and the inevitability of death?

Equally related is the issue of nurturing the proper vocational line of work. Instead, we find ourselves employing unqualified persons just because he or she is, a relative, an intimate friend, of a well-known respectful, or of an elite tribe. Is it not a pity to find highly qualified people loitering on the streets, looking for jobs, or working in mini markets or in small shops though having BA degrees? Is this what we learned from our prophet? Then, consequently, we are accused to be: not qualified, lazy, not intellectual, not punctual, and not sedulous…etc. Did we not ever ask ourselves why that is? Obviously, he or she that has gotten the job without striving is going to be neglectful, and remiss, and is not going to be fruitful.

Eventually, as everyone believes, the best qualification should be deemed a sine qua non, and a criterion for employment, and hence, we do certainly demand that employees be best qualified regardless of their relations to others, and regardless of their social status whatsoever. By doing this, we not only gain the contentment of Allah but also we foster and promote the growth and development of our country.