The Saudi cultural attache in the United States has a treat for scholarship students remaining in the US during Ramadan and Eid. It’s something that students going home for the holidays won’t receive.
It’s $10, and Saudi students aren’t impressed.
The cultural attache’s e-mail arrived this week announcing that $10 will be their Eid gift. More funds will be saved for September’s National Day Celebration and other cultural and social activities.
“I seriously do not understand why did they even bother to send this little?” said Mishael, student in Boston. “You either send something worthy or you don’t. What would someone do with $10. It won’t even help me buy Eid clothing and traditional candy.”
However, Mohammed Al-Johani, an MBA student in Tampa, said it’s the thought that counts.
“I don’t think they are sending this money to help you pay your dues,” he said. “I think they just want to celebrate our traditions and show us their care. I think it’s a great gesture and I am very happy with the idea behind it.”
Some students have started a Twitter hashtag that discusses the gift. “Ten dollars means almost SR 40, if I dared to give this to my younger brother he would throw it back and hit my face with it and then give me the silent treatment,” said one Twitter user identified as @Ward.
“The amount is not even enough to pay the transportation that will drive me to pick it up,” said @Shkhazinda, a Twitter subscriber.
Another twitter user, @Ftoonsaleh, said somewhat tongue-in-cheek that she was “broke” and the amount came in the right time. It will solve all her problems and get “rich.”
$10 Eid gift has students grumbling
