A Saudi resident in London once told me that the city officials there were very keen about protecting the rights of residents. Even the opening of a quiet bridge club close to my friend’s house had to go through a long process in municipal offices to guarantee that the people living nearby were not going to be disturbed by the club. The municipal authorities would not issue the license until the matter had been discussed and approved by the residents in the neighborhood, including my friend. The officials asked the local residents if they had objections to the opening of a club close to their homes since it meant a number of people, mostly strangers from outside the area, would be visiting it every day. Until how late at night were the residents willing to tolerate the club’s activities? If the people in the neighborhood did not approve, the club would not be opened. This reflects the correct humane approach of city authorities toward the people living in the city.
In France the law is also very particular about protecting people’s rights. For example, it stipulates that construction contractors must receive approval from the city council before operating cranes to move heavy materials to building sites. The operation of heavy machinery should in no way disturb normal traffic on the roads. The authorities issue the permit only after the contractor supplies details of when operations will begin and end. In addition to taking all precautions against possible damages to public or private property, the contractor is also held fully responsible in the event of any damage.
Another friend compared our Saudi constructors’ total disregard for the rights of citizens living in the neighborhood of a construction site. The friend said when he was returning home several days ago, traffic on the road was held up for four hours because a huge concrete mixer was operating on the road with its props spread out and blocking the entire road. Such road blocks are frequent here and the relevant departments never care or bother themselves about such flagrant violations.
The London-based Saudi also pointed out how careful the authorities in London are about preserving an ecological balance. He found it very difficult to get municipal approval to cut down a tree blocking the entrance to his garden. It took three years of repeated visits and lengthy explanations to the authorities in order to complete the formalities. On the other hand, nobody can imagine such a thing in the Kingdom.
You may uproot every tree in your garden and in the neighborhood and nobody will care. Such things may appear to be small and unimportant — which they may be — but they are in fact a measure of civilization.
