“While the media focus on the criminal deeds committed by a few members of the Chadian community, a considerable number of them are graduates from British and American universities and employed in teaching institutes and other high paying trades,” Dr. Abdullah Idi, a Chadian doctor employed in a private clinic in Jeddah, told Arab News on Saturday.

However the most uneducated immigrants from his country are working as car washers or are in manual labor, Idi added.

He pointed out that because of the stereotyping, Saudis are not aware of the more educated Chadians.

“What pains me is the way the Saudi media portray Chadians as violators of residence regulations and thieves. In fact, such violators and criminals do not represent the Chadian community in the Kingdom,” the doctor said.

He said most educated Chadians are proficient in French. “Boys and girls of the community study in Chadian schools, where instructions are given in French,” he said.

Chadian car washers are mostly found in the Mahjar neighborhood in Jeddah. They are different from other communities in the sense that they are united and offer support to their compatriots, especially when they face any challenge to their trade. They are also disciplined in their work.

Ali Buoudi, a graduate from Chad's Ndjamena University, said he came to the Kingdom as a Haj pilgrim and did not go back. As his attempts to get a job in any office failed, he also became a car washer. He said many workshop owners from other districts of Jeddah come seeking Chadian car washers. A worker earns SR50 per car.

“My plan is to save sufficient money and go to Paris to study business management. Some of my young friends here want to continue their studies in the United States or Canada after saving up enough money,” he said.

Buoudi said it was poverty and lack of opportunities that prompted his fellow countrymen to immigrate to other countries. “However, now the pattern of immigration has changed. The modern generation does not want to go to Saudi Arabia or any other Gulf countries. They prefer Europe or the US,” he said.

He said a small fraction of his community who live in the poor southern neighborhoods of the city turn to criminal activity, spurred on by poverty.

However, as a percentage, the level of criminal activity among Chadians is not higher than any other communities, he said.