After another recent road trip I have become convinced that the elite and wealthy of Saudi Arabia simply do not use public toilets nor do they travel any great distances in a car. Why am I making such a statement you may ask? Because consistently when traveling either East to West or North to South the conditions of the public toilets at wayside places where one would stop are atrocious and among the filthiest I have seen in my life. I was going to post a photo taken with my mobile phone camera but I decided it was actually to distasteful to publicly post.
For a rich country not much time or effort or interest is spent on public facilities. The majority of public toilets are connected with a mosque. Think about it, it is typical to wash and ensure one is clean (make woodoo) before praying in the mosque. Yet even the individuals preparing for their prayers must walk on floors that are not only dirty and covered with filth but usually have 2-3 inches of water amassed on the floor as well. Now imagine that scenario if you are also a woman wearing an abaya and trying to squat over a “two stepper” toilet all the while having to watch just where you do place your feet because of all the filth and garbage and waste all around. I find this appalling.
As a result, it has convinced me that the elite and wealthy have likely never been anywhere near these public toilets. I further understand why people may choose to fly from Riyadh to Damman instead of drive the 3 hour trip. The worse is going from Riyadh to Mecca. While one can have an enjoyable car ride with the changing scenery again the public toilets defy the imagination.
It really saddens me that better care is not taken for the provision of clean public washrooms. I would gladly pay a few token riyals each time I used one to know that would ensure their maintenance and cleanliness. I think back on the public rest stop areas in the States which would not only have clean western style toilets but many would also have rooms with showers as well.
I’ve traveled to many countries and Saudi Arabia is right at the top of the list of countries with the worse and dirtiest public toilets along the highways.
Filed under: culture, gender, islam, religion, Saudi Arabia, Saudi culture, Saudi customs, travel, Uncategorized
Carol,
I have not traveled by car in Saudi for over 20 years. It is a shame to see that after all these years this specific situation has not changed. I traveled from Jeddah to Riyadh then Doha once by car with a couple of friends. it was a dare spare of the moment thing just to prove that we can do it and visit good friends at those 2 cities. I remember we stopped at a Qahwa/restaurant on the side of the road outside of Taif and the conditions of the restrooms were real bad. I guess that does not bother men too much as we can skip those places and the entire desert can be our restroom if needed
For families traveling long distances, this can be a major issue.
Well, with the recent internet problems in the Kingdom I have just discovered that while at work I can only access my web site as a regular user and not as the administrator!
Anyhow back to my comment, for starters I’m not surprised that RV’s are not more popular in the Kingdom. They would not only alleviate the need to stop at the dirty public places but also make it much easier for the larger Saudi families to travel in comfort. That being said, I’ve yet to see an RV here!
On trips between Mecca and Riyadh I have indeed requested my spouse to stop at more desolate desert areas due to the conditions of the public places and that is even including those places which have rooms (with private toilet facilities) that can be rented by the quarter hour.
I realize my posts are not usually so blunt but I want to convey the severity and reality of the situation.
Regards,
Carol
Oh, the public toilets… especially on the road from Riyadh to Mecca! I’ll never forget them. Once, while stopped at one of those roadside “rest stops”, I found no women’s facilities AT ALL, and I had to “go” real bad. My husband waited at the men’s rest room till it was empty, then guarded the door while I used it as fast as I could. He told me later that several men approached but did not object when he said, “Wait! My wife is in there.”
In terms of cleanliness, that men’s room was no better than the women’s rooms I’d been compelled to use at other places.
I’ve seen only one country with public rest rooms worse than Saudi Arabia’s, and that was Egypt. I smile now, when I reminisce. It’s all part of the expat experience.
Someone ought to write a book.
Carol, the situation of public bathrooms is sad. You have just pointed out something that I’ve been trying to figure out lately. Eventhough I am in the States right now, where clean bathrooms are everywhere, I am “having-to-go-phobic”, especially with #2!! I can’t go to school in the morning before I have already went. If I didn’t, I would have my stomach in notches during out the entire day. I may even have mood upset that day, until I am back to the safety of my hoom. I tried to logically understand why I feel this way, eventhough bathrooms are everywhere, and I can use a bottle of water for cleaning. Now, I think I understand.
Back in Saudi, it is scarry to have to go esp. when you have to sit.
What do Saudi’s do, when travelling by car. Without hesitation we stop road side, hide behind a bush, a car (if it is too dark) and go. We are usually prepared for it with wet napkins, water bottles, dry napkins, etc. Some families (expert travellers) always carry the transportable toilet seat.
I have to say that I think Saudi had made great process with the toilets in its latest malls to open, such as Faisaleya, Mamlaka, Sahara, etc. Also, some public places such as King Faisal Specialist Hospital, where I used to work. Its not enough, I know. I hope that will improve as more Saudis spend long hours on the go, thus calling for WC’s cleanliness as a cruicial priority.
Carol,
the above post is what I get for not using MS Word
Apologies for typos, and the wrong terms/word choices…
The condition of public restrooms is really sad. In my country which is pretty much in the heart of Europe, we still have the same type of public restrooms (where you have to squat) and they are filthy as well. But for the most part we do have western style toilets.
Could it have something to do with habits and customs? Could this be the reason why people do not pay much attention to rectifying this situation? I think it is very possible.
Incomprehansible, especially as so many muslims are obsessed with cleanliness. I whish you had posted your own picture though.
I’ve seen places like that only in Italy. And I was flabbergasted: I didn’t think something like that was possible! Luckily I hardly ever really have to go, so I just run out again.
The best restrooms are in Germany. They have very good, very clean restrooms with parkingspaces next to the highways. And when you stop at a gas-station/restaurant, they are amazing! Showers, everything spotlessly clean, selfcleaning toiletseats, flush, taps, soapdispensers, and hand-driers that turn on with sensors; you just wave your hands under them!
Oh, ooops, I also made some typing errors ! But AB can edit them!
All,
Thanks so much for your comments and observations. Aafke, in addition to Germany I have heard that Japan is also outstanding with its public washrooms and toilets.
Mahrm – I have also used the men’s washrooms in addition to the vast desert. That trip from Riyadh to Jeddah (about 9 hours or more) is a long way to hold it!
Aysha – thanks for sharing on tips Saudi families use when traveling.
Cheers all,
Carol
Dalioness,
I’m not sure if it is customs why the situation of the sad state of the public washrooms is not rectified. I’m becoming convinced it is because those who could make a difference do not travel by car where they have to use the public roadside toilets!
Living in Morocco I see the same thing as we travel by car. I have pinpointed what I consider strategic stops along the routes we usually travel that have clean bathrooms. They are few and far between. As someone mentioned above this dirty restroom issue especially bothers me because Muslims are supposed to be clean people and need to clean after using the toilet. In these filthy bathrooms there is usually not even running water.
Welcome to the Blog, Agadir_girl and thanks for your comments. Yes; the issue of having to use these filthy washrooms for preparation of prayer does not make sense!
The concept of cleanliness with relationship to Islam is misunderstood, I think. The washing for wudu is a ritual cleanliness, not a physical one. Any adult knows that you can splash water over certain parts of the body but not become cleansed of bacteria and odors. There are other parts of the body, not included in wudu, that become much more saturated with bacteria and the byproducts thereof.
When my daughter was a student in a Riyadh public school, she came home one day and told me that her teacher said that Americans had flithy bodies because they did not take wudu and did not use bidets.
Anyone who has moved through public places in downtown Riyadh can smile at such foolish talk.
I agree that there can be and is confusion between a physical and ritual cleanliness. However in regards to public washrooms along the highways, it is virtually impossible to perform either!
I have to agree that the best restrooms are in Germany. German’s are known for the cleanliness so this has never surprised me.
This is another case where Saudi really fails to meet the expectations of Islam. Islam is a religion that demands cleanliness, so I fail to see how one could visit one of these places and then make themselves clean enough for prayer.
The sad fact is that this is just not a Saudi issue, it is an issue all over the Muslim world. I must also relate that the conditions you found these public bathrooms is often EXACLTY the same way in bathrooms INSIDE mosques. Not just in the Middle East, but in Europe as well.
I have been in many mosques in Europe and the US where the bathroom is an utter nightmare. There is water all over the floor, people seem to have forgot that you must use the toilet and there is often urine and fecal matter all over the place.
This is exactly why I will not clean myself for prayers at a mosque, as more often than not, these facilities are too dirty to make one’s self clean enough.
This is certainly a cultural issue as these acts are an abomination in Islam.
Now you made me curious Abu Sinan and I’ll have to ask around about the conditions of men’s washrooms that are within the local mosques and not by the wayside.
Marahm,
Actually wudu is not the only washing done by Muslims. We are required to wash our bums after using the toilet, that is why it is odd in a Muslim nation to have toilets with no running water close by.
Assalaamu alaykum! When I first read your title, I thought, ‘What do they (the rich) do then?’ *laugh*
I agree, the public toilets I visisted in Saudi were quite awful. We drove from Makkah to Madinah and back again, stopping for the required toilet and prayer breaks. When I first saw the lakes of filthy water, I immediately wished for a pair of pattens (stilt-like shoes from the Middle Ages). A nightmarish situation; trying to relieve and then clean oneself in filthy surroundings. I’m taking Aysha’s advice, if there is ever a next time, thank you!
I was disappointed with the Saudi roadside musallah areas as well; dirty with debris and dust. As I travelled during Ramadan, what struck me were the piles of date seeds! SubhanAllah! What a way to break one’s fast; eat Allah’s bounty and then throw your date seeds all over the musallah.
One would expect Muslims to be more vigilant in this matter as purity and cleanliness is very, very important in Islam. As has been noted above, it is not just Saudi that has this problem. I’ve seen much the same thing in UAE and Syria; the affluent shopping centers have luxurious facilities and the masaajid and poorer area public toilets are filthy.
While I haven’t been to Germany, I have been to Japan a few times and there I have found the best public toilets anywhere in the world I have travelled. The only things you need to touch is the toilet paper and your clothing. Everything is automatic, only need to wave your hand over the many sensors: stall doors open and lock, water for washing your privates, the plastic covers wrapped over the toilet seat (fresh for each visitor), flushing, soap and water to wash your hands. Bliss. The worst toilet I can’t decide; either it was a downtown San Francisco McDonald’s or somewhere in Mexico (I can’t remember). The San Fran toilet had poop smeared over the stall walls, wet toilet paper covering the floor (I couldn’t see the floor), overflowing sanitary bin and half-a-meter high doors (so the police patrols can see if anyone is shooting up, no doubt). The one in Mexico, you couldn’t flush the used toilet paper; it had to go in a bucket beside the toilet. Yes, used from number 1s or number 2s! I didn’t use the one in San Fran, I took one look and bolted! The one in Mexico, I had no choice, eeuuwww.
You are right Carol, for such a wealthy country, Saudi should ‘clean up its act!’
Aliyah,
Thanks for sharing your experiences too!
Marahm,
You also make good points.
I haven’t been to Japan; their restrooms sound even better!
Aliyah: MacDonalds in sanFransisco, tssss, again!
Carol,
This whole thread got me thinking. You ought to do a post about your impressions of the Middle Eastern/Saudi view point of trash. I was horrified when I first went to the Middle East by the practice of throwing trash anywhere.
I remember when I was young and lived in Germany we’d occasionally travel by car to France to visit friends. You didnt need the border crossing to tell where Germany ended and France began, you could tell by the trash on th side of the road. Germans were obsessive about trash and cleanliness and the French were the opposite.
In the Middle East there seems to be trash everywhere and no one seems too concerned about it.
Is this something you have noticed as well?
Abu Sinan,
I’m sorry to say this but I guess I got kind of immuned to it having been in the ME region or Southeast Asia for so long a time…and by comparison, the Kingdom comes out ahead of most of those places.
When I was in Oman I noticed that the woman’s toilets were the worst I have ever seen in my life with filth left in them and the stench terrible. My ex who also used public toilets there said his were fine. I don’t know if he was covering this fact up or if in fact the men’s toilets were fine and no one wants to touch the woman’s but even when I went from UAE to Oman and used the facilities at the border where I had my passport stamped the stench of the toilets was overpowering and I swear it clung to my clothing like a live thing. I don’t get this mentality. Just don’t.
In my view, I think the womens are worse and particulary so as it is not only the women using them but the young children will go there usually as well. I understand about the clinging smell. It’s a terrible feeling to “respond to the call of nature” and feel like you are coming away dirty and with an odor!
The same story all over the world. Why am I not surprised. Far East may be an exception to this deplorable condition of toilets.
In the Netherlands you can have good or bad luck. Though the bad luck would be nothing like described here. Usually the men’s are the worst. But that’s mainly because men do their thing standing here, and they won’t take the trouble to aim.
A manufacturer made toilets with a fly painted inside: that actually seemed to work, in encouraging men to ”take aim”.
When my daughter was in Japan she said the toilets there were pristine. Also, the concept of sitting on a toilet seat which has seen the rears of countless others is seen as being unsanitary so there are those commodes that are porcelin holes in the ground. When I was statined in S. Korea it was the same. Everyone’s concept of cleanliness is different but I think there is a consensus as to what is acceptable and not when it comes to keeping public facilities sanitary.
Aafke,
In the Middle East and the wider Muslim world it is not seen as proper for a man to stand and urinate. This has a religious basis as the Sunnah of the Prophet is to sit to urinate. Hence the “aim” issue I dont think is as much of an issue in the Middle East.
I remember attended Arabic classes at a Saudi institute here in the DC area. The building had stand up type urinals but there were signs in English instructing people not to use them, rathet to use the sit down toilets. The signs were not in Arabic even though a lot of Arabs attended this institution. This is because they would already know.
In my travels I am not sure I can remember seeing a stand up urinal. Usually it was the hole in the ground, the sit down type, or if you were staying in a nice hotel or with people who had a bit of money you’d get the sit down toilet along with a bedet next to it.
Abu Sinan, I know, I read that bit, that’s why I pointed it out especially. And I’m all for sitting down, very good custom, should be followed everywhere!
Só much more civilized.
So, do you follow this Sunnah?
At home I do. The problem here in the USA is that everyone else (almost) doesnt. Due to “poor aim” I tend to not do this outside the house.
Woehaha!
LOL, I think that might have come across wrong. Not due to my poor aim, but that of others that leave the facilities more than a bit dirty.
Although I’m Kuwaiti, I’ve traveled more by way of car through Saudi more than most Saudis (my father has a thing for roadtrips…and the Iraq border’s closed).
I have to say I’d much rather squat in the desert behind our suburban when necessary than use any public restroom. The “rest” stops are nightmares! The bathrooms are often flooded with dirty water.
Let’s just say the last time I joined my father’s Kuwait-Riyadh “adventure” I ended up crying a few hours after crossing the border (not that our side’s great either).
Needless to say, I flew out of Riyadh, alone, and was never invited to join them again.
ROTFL!
I thought that was an amazing confession for a man! I’ve never heard the like before!!!
The building had stand up type urinals but there were signs in English instructing people not to use them, rathet to use the sit down toilets.
Now wait a minute. If that’s the case Islamic institutions should apply for some special exclusions on bathroom building codes in Virginia. You need more stalls and no urinals for the guys, which means the men’s room has to be bigger so you don’t need to follow the 150% rule for the ladies’ room.
For the record, the cleanest public bathrooms I ever experienced were the rest stops along I-70 in Ohio. Totally spotless, the staff was obsessive about cleaning, and unlike my experience in Germany they did not expect anyone to tip them.. Furthermore, on Sundays and holidays you might even find members from the local church outside serving free coffee to motorists.
I think it’s very clever of American-bedu to make her one but last post on the ever absorbing topic of Restrooms and how to use them!
This way we’ll be keeping her blog alive and vibrant during her forced absence.
You’all should visit my toilet! Spotlessly clean, beautiful murals, and no tips required.
Men have to sit!
While I have the chance to comment, I try to make my bathrooms an interesting and inviting room of the house. People are not sure how to take it when they come in and I have a magazine basket with books, newspapers and various other sundries to entertain. I don’t want anyone to feel rushed. Okay…I know, it may be weird but what can I say! (lol)
The bathrooms in our house are impeccable. One of the first things my wife did when we got married was to let me know about her standards of cleanliness, which are a hair away from museum standards. However, this has eased a bit with the coming of the two little boys. They bring with them the normal messiness of toys and occasional vomit and spilling of food and drink.
Often in Germany now the public toliets are paid toilets. The last public toilet I was in was in Berlin and I had to use a 1 Mark coin to get through the turnstiles. I guess that makes it 2001 with the use of the 1 Mark coin. It was VERY clean. I am sure it would be worth one riyal to be able to use a clean toilet.
See……now there is a good business opportunity for a Saudi. Pay toilets! From the sounds of it many Saudis would pay a Riyal and more for a nice clean toilet.
Abu Sinan et al,
I had never heard before that there was actually Islamic procedures for men on using the toilets! Who would have dreamed my post where I simply needed to vent a little would turn out to be so informative?!
See what you can learn online? There are also Islamic rules as to how everyone cleans themselves after using the bathroom. This is exactly why Muslims will always have a bedet, a water hose attatched to the toilet, or a bucket of water nearby.
I asked some muslim men about the squatting part. They looked at me strangely but happily responded. The consensus reply was that although this is something that is said in some circles, it is not a mandatory ruling in Islam. Take this under the heading as for what it is worth by asking in general. My comment here is in no way to be interpreted as an islamic ruling or law but simply a voice of some muslim men who were asked the question.
Sure, it is Sunnah, which means you do not have to do it, but it is advised.
Hi,
I’m in Riyadh right now for a business trip for the last 6 days. Yesterday, I finally found some time to visit some shopping malls, and had a chance to visit the toilet in The Kingdom (Al Mamlakah?). Boy, haven’t seen a substandard and somewhat dirty toilet in a big mall for years.
All the hype about the Kingdom, all the shiny and expensive stores, and than that toilets? One more anecdote to tell when I’m back, along with the adventure of going in to Mamlakah as a single in a family-only day
I’m sure it’s much better that the one you mention on the article, though.
Gokhan,
Thanks for your comment. I am surprised to hear about the substandard conditions at Al Memlakah as I have found them usually to be okay. Al Memlakah is owned by Prince Waleed Al Talal. The women’s washrooms usually have attendants who keep them clean, especially as this is also where women must go to try on outfits since one is prohibited from trying on clothes in the shops.
Hope you enjoy your stay in the Kingdom.
It’s not just the toilets but the whole roadside experience in KSA that leaves a lot to be desired.
We recently drove from Riyadh to UAE… appalling toilets, dirty mosques, undesirable looking eateries, dingy little ‘convenience’ shops on the KSA side of the border but what a difference once you get to the UAE side!
If only McDonald’s or KFC or some other big chain would start to open up branches on these well used routes; can imagine how popular they would be?!
oh yes indeed! Again, I’m becoming convinced that those who could facilitate a change in the conditions of what is or is not available and the conditions such places are in along the highways just do not go on the roadways.
I can’t believe it. McDonalds, or KFC.
Defenitely the worldleaders in culture, healthy nutricional food, and environmental awareness.
There are other companies in the world. I’ve eaten at mcDonalds. I’ve even once been dragged into a KFC, much against my wishes. Mega-Yuk: utterly disgusting!!!
If that is the extent of ”Western Culture” to the rest of the world, I don’t wonder at the negative view other cultures take of ”the West”. I can only concur.
I make an exception for the loo-comparisation. But as I refuse to enter a mcDonalds or KFC, I would still have to find myself a private dune, and dig a hole.
lol, this is all quite funny
well the worst toilet i have ever seen was at the border between gaza and israel. I think out of spite they were deliberately defiled.
I Try and avoid public toilets. In the UK i invariably use the mosques as only they have running water.
In terms of cleanliness, most non western countries seem not to use detergents as much so they always smell. Egypt, Mexico, and China
but Japan are definitely conscious of cleanliness. When i worked there, the staff used to brush their teeth every other hour, and all the loos were electronic. Oh and i found Malaysian toilets pretty clean
It is funny when you think about it and especially as we have all been sharing global experiences.
It also appears that the Far East (Japan, Malaysia, Singapore) seem to be the number one ranking places for best public toilets.
So my question is, what are they doing right that has created the positive environment and how could it possibly be implemented to the places which need it as well?!
Hi Carol!!
I have only read with greater interest this blog of yours and wanted to know if you know by any chance who is responsible for the maintenance of public facilities on the highways esp? Also do u think I can use the image- photo ( i know it’s kind of weird to ask)?
sabah
Although the facilities are public meaning individuals may use them, as I understand by polling some Saudis whom I work with, whoever has ownership of those facilities ‘should’ be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep. For example, public toilets in a mall should be the responsibility of the mall management, public toilets connected to a mosque along the highways (very common) should be the responsibility of the mosque and so on.
I found the image via google images so I have no objection to its use. Are you also doing a post on the topic? Maybe if enough of us speak out, this issue will get wider notice.
Think of all the jobs that would be filled if they started charging 1sr to use the toilets. That’s a whole new market! And best of all, one could go to the potty in peace!
We were just in Taif and needed to stop at a gas station and use the facilities. The smell was a nightmare when the toilet was flushed, and there were cockroach eggs all over the back of the toilet seat. (But I was happy at least they had a seat!)
I think that perhaps since the religious police are out in full force anyway, they could check the bathroom situation also and warn anyone with dirty toilets to clean up the place. If it wasn’t done when they returned, they could hand the offender a mop, cleaning liquid and gloves and make him do it while they waited!
Oh how I wish there were enforcements and standards!
Hi Carol!
Yeah I was thinking of doing a story on it. It is something we should raise our voice against- we have a right to cleanliness and basic sanitary conditions. And to think that after a tour of these dirty bathrooms you have to stand for prayers. I don’t know how much of these prayers are accepted when you have swept the toilets with flowing abayas.
Is there any way for anyone to actually contact the authorities/government about this issue? Perhaps this is just my wishful thinking, I just do not see how a change is going to happen unless enough Muslims, perhaps the more prominent ones, bring this issue up with the authorities.
I am sure there has to be some Muslims who can do this. The other “subtle” way perhaps to call attention to this problem is maybe by “posing a question” to the permanent comittee of scholars, maybe they would have some influence insha’Allah once enough people start asking for “religious verdicts” about this!! This change needs to happen soon and I ask Allah to resolve this problem soon.
Or, how about Muslims start leaving notes (outside of the toilets of course but nearby) and write down some sayings of our Prophet saws about cleanliness? Like Muslim A leaves a note, then Muslim B comes, reads it, leaves a note, etc etc. I dunno, maybe if nothing happened at least this would bring such people much reward insha’Allah as it falls under the rule ‘ordering to do good and forbidding from doing evil”, and nasty restrooms are surely evil. What I am trying to say think creative and do that which will most likely call attention to the problem.
Those are some good ideas dalioness!
One could put up large boards on which visitors can write down their experience of using the restrooms, and then put them all together and display them!!
Aafke I thought about it some more, and that is exactly what I would do!! I would write down something like, “To all, the owners and users, do you think the Prophet saws would be pleased with the condition of this restroom? Would you offer him to use it if he were alive? Do you like that this is a place where the shayateen gather enjoying this filth?”
Something in those lines…and big bold letters to seal it off:
SHAME SHAME SHAME!!!
So Aafke let’s go over there and cause a riot, LOL!
Not wanting to dampen the great suggestions but part of the problem that will need to be overcome is that most of the public toilets are the responsibility of the entity which owns the gas station, markaz or in some cases the mosque. I’m not sure how the government ( if it is so inclined) would bring these groups together and have a type of enforcement. Just this past weekend travel again made me realize how deplorable and unclean they are. If I had not been part of a tour group, I would likely have had my husband stop offroad where I could have privacy and most importantly, more cleanliness! After all, even stopping offroad one can have bottled water and hand sanitizer to keep clean afterward.
Carol,
But one never knows unless one tries to do “something”, right? Don’t get me wrong, I am not a 100% activist, but I view this problem as an emergency for so many reasons, and I am sure you agree. It is all about planting the seed I believe. If everyone just keeps complaining about it yet does nothing, nothing will ever change. And this is I believe something that “can” change, but people/individuals need to start caring and doing something, even if it is leaving a small note. I am sure a lot of people outthere have ideas that are far better then mine, something has got give. Subhan’Allah, I refuse to believe that the rich/owners do not know about this problem, in their own country, whether or not they use the public restrooms. I am sure they are at least aware, so now a group of Muslims needs to step forward and “get them” to care. This is filth, can be a cause for many deseases, it is shameful, abominable, and certainly the government has no laws against cleanliness!!! Or Muslims bringing up this problem in their local masajid, get their imam to keep holding khutba about it!! I have a feeling, if the Prophet saws was alive, he would set an example by personally going to those restrooms to clean them himself, and surely he would preach against it. Allah knows best. Someone needs to give them a push, or get the attention of mutawa. Something, anything. Just not filth.
I certainly do not mean to put a damper on anyone’s suggestions and inspirations. In fact, while it might be kind of disgusting, we all know that a picture can say a thousand words…maybe even starting to publish actual pictures with date, time and location could make an impact as well.
A new blog: KSA-Loo!
I’ve allready devised some merchandise: the carry-yourself-cleaningset, complete with plateauslippers to keep your feet at least 1 inch above the muck, bottles and handwash for wudu, disposable biodegradable towels, toiletpaper etc.
Short tight bellyfree Tshirts with the slogan ,
hey, I saw a suitable slogan here first, can’t find it now.
Hum
Who’s got a good one?
Like: ”this t-shirt is not as haraam as the facilities here”
I can só imagine a danish cartoon for this one! }:)
Carol,
I did not take it as such, I do not think my ideas are great anyway. But they are ideas that “can” get something going. Are you talking about posting pictures, etc, on blogs?? To be honest, I do not see how that will change anything. The only outcome of that as I see it is doing what we are doing now: talking about it, making jokes about it. I am not so sure that the people who have the power to make the change will care much for blogs, you are trying to “target” and leave an impact on people who live there, who can do something.
Aafke, ahm, the T-shirt is haram. The condition of the restrooms is makrooh. I know you are joking, I just don’t see this as a joking matter. Sorry if my words offended you.
Carol, Welcome back. We surely missed your daily posts.
dalioness, I think bringing this issue to the attention of the right people is a great idea. If all of us just on this blog wrote letters to the editors of Arab News or Saudi Gazette here in the Kingdom, they may do an article on it. It might not happen right away, but at least it will get some attention and others might join in the right to clean public toilets. I mean, people throw a lot less garbage than they did 30 years ago. There used to be piles of garbage everywhere until finally they hired a company to clean up the place. Maybe we could get those guys to hire a crew just to keep the bathrooms clean.
Everyone should email Tariq Al-Meeana at Arab News. I’ll have to look for his email address or better yet, I’ll send him the link to this post.
His email is xxxxxxxxx
The Ramadan before last year, a group of Saudi highschool students went to public washrooms in Jeddah and cleaned them in an attempt to raise awareness among people. I’m a fan of the Malaysian way. They said 2 / 3 years ago “we want all washrooms to be clean in the country.” The first person who went to clean was the minister of … (I forgot of what ) Oh, I went there last year and every single washroom I entered was super clean . my mum said too that they are super clean (if mum said they were clean , then 10000% they were clean)
Welcome back Carol
Hi Khalid,
Due to spammers plus not having Tariq’s concurrence to publicly post his email, I removed it. I’m sure you will understand. However I did email him the link to this post yesterday. He is traveling now but responded that he will review it so I can say that we have at least brought this issue to the attention of Arab News.
The Malaysian way sounds great. And I also agree with Dalioness that if the Prophet (PBUH) were alive, I’m sure he’d be among the first setting examples of maintaining cleanliness too!
Thanks for your comment and the welcome!
Sure I understand — that was his email for the public and not the personal one. I’d never write a personal email on the web. You are right, spam’s these days are incredibly smart (I’m one of the zillion victims of spam’s
)
There are ample examples in all the Prophets’ life where they took the initiative, and then the rest followed them. Any change, I believe, always should start within ourselves.
Good Night
LOL, I don’t know, but when I’ve read my previous comment I found it weird. “Good Night” what made it looks weird for me
Anyway it’s time to sleep , so it came naturally, and I only realized it after the comment was published. That makes me wonder, how many things in our daily life that we do unconsciously!! Hmmmm! Does our unconsciousness dominate over our consciousness sometimes?
Sorry to all for this irrelevant post!
Hi Khalid,
You are quite right that is his public email but I learned the spammers can be so nasty and pick up email address from within posts.
Always enjoy your comments.
Regards,
Carol
I have lived in Malaysia for quite a while and there’s no thought in that they maintain cleanliness in terms of all facilities, .. toilets on highways,malls,stations … and general areas; including not throwing trash outside the bins .. Part of the reason i see is that they charge for use .. which I think is totally acceptable. I think most of us wouldn’t mind paying for better facilities.
Thats also the reason for the amazing highways of Malaysia .. coz they have tolls .. thus they r able to provide excellent “Rehats” … rest places .. where you would find showers, toilets, prayer areas, fruit vendors, and restorans, gas stations, …
Also, I think that a lot depends on the people who r using it. A countless number of times I came across toilets where people squatted over the western style, leaving their filthy footmarks over the seat .. and obviously making it unhygienic for other people. Now this cant be dealt with, unless people start respecting other people. …
… the latest trip being jarir .. jarir is supposed to be the top notch bookstore .. so we expect their toilets to be at least cleaner …
I remember at Ikea Malaysia , the sign read “leave the toilet as you would have wanted to find it” …. CLEAN !
I would be happy to find clean toilets in the cities first … the highways .. err .. i have given up on it …
During one recent trip to San Francisco, I found that all the toilets in the downtown area to be out of order. When I managed to open the door, I saw newspapers all over the floor, also several syringes.
[...] have written previously on the typical condition of public toilets in Saudi Arabia. And I have also suggested a woman may prefer the open expanse of the desert for [...]
On the subject of long-distance travel in KSA, does anyone have any idea where one can get an RV customized/modified in or around Jeddah?
@Arabian Knight,
I do not know where to go in Jeddah. I hope that someone else more familiar with Jeddah may be able to respond.
“Cleaniness is next to godliness” good advice