Rules and regulations are not unjust nor do they distinguish between people. Injustices arise when those responsible for applying rules abandon the principle of equality when the violator is a Saudi.
I recently witnessed several traffic violations, including wrong overtaking and turning left from the extreme right, while driving with an Arab friend. Regrettably, all those who violated traffic rules were Saudis. When I loudly denied this, my friend looked at me and said, “Didn’t you notice that they were all your countrymen?” He added, “The problem with us, the Arabs, and you is that we all give ourselves the right to everything even if it is against the rules. This phenomenon is, however, more prevalent in your country. Because of the presence of many nationalities in the Kingdom, some of you like to ensure your supremacy by violating rules, which apply to all without any distinction.”
He added that traffic rules, whether they are rules relating to wearing a belt or speeding, are not just for expatriates. They are meant for everyone. All drivers, regardless of nationality, are the same before the law.
We also talked about other people who believe that the application of rules in their countries begins with them, as local citizens, and not with the foreigners who live among them. This does not mean people do not break the law in those countries. Such things happen, but people do not violate rules deliberately to show they are citizens or to ridicule the foreigners who live in their country.
We violate rules in the Kingdom to show others that we are citizens of this country. To make things worse, our future generations have grown up with this misconception. We see people respecting laws in theory and then violating them in practice just to show others we are above the law. We deliberately try to make foreigners feel weak and helpless when they commit traffic violations. Some of us even force foreigners to give way when it is their priority. This is twisted logic and utterly chaotic. It is a complete misunderstanding of the spirit of equality in the way rules are applied.
Another form of disparity is when people go to government departments. They should be treated equally but this is not the case. Government employees are always biased. They favor Saudis over others. Even when dealing with Saudis, they first serve those they know.
Such disparity in treatment is harmful. Rules should be equally applied to all.
Nobody, a citizen or not, should give himself the right to violate rules. Equality before law is the cornerstone of justice.
When we respect our rules, we respect ourselves and preserve our image. I hope we will become role models for others who live with us. I hope citizens will abide by the Kingdom’s law and realize that they apply to them as well as to foreigners.
