Friend of Saudi Arabia: John Paul Jones
Interviewed by Majied S. Alsqoor

1)      What is your connection with Saudi Arabia and when did it begin?

I first went to Saudi Arabia in 1978 as a single man. I met the American woman who was to become my wife in the Kingdom, in 1980.  We were married in Bahrain in 1982 (and “honeymooned” near Umm Lajj).  We were blessed with two “Ramadan babies,” each born in that month, in 1985 and 1986, a girl and a boy. Overall, I worked in Saudi Arabia for more than 20 years, holding positions in hospital administration, at King Faisal Specialist Hospital. My family and I left the Kingdom on a permanent basis in June, 2003.

2)      What is your view on Saudi Arabia and its people?

When I first went to the Kingdom in 1978 I held a negative opinion of the country, like most Americans. I felt I might only stay a few months. Obviously I changed my mind, or I would not have stayed for more than 20 years. This change in thinking and the enormous disparity between the image of the country in the Western media, and the reality “on the ground” is one of the central reasons I decided to write my book, “If Olaya Street Could Talk.”  The target audience for the book is educated Americans, and I make numerous references to the American culture in the book.  One particularly relevant issue is to remind Americans that in general our culture held negative stereotypical images concerning some of our citizens, specifically Blacks and American Indians. To a large degree, but not totally, these stereotypes have been discarded. I firmly believe that the negative stereotypes that Americans hold about Arabs in general and Saudi in particular can and should be discarded.

3)      What has Saudi Arabia given you and what have you given back to Saudi Arabia?

This is an excellent question, probably my favorite, particularly the second portion, since it is so rarely asked. Concerning the first portion, I had proven skills in medical administration and a strong background in Information Technology prior to going to the Kingdom in 1978. With this background I was able to participate in the development of King Faisal Specialist Hospital into its current status as one of the best hospitals in the Middle East. I would say that most Americans incorporate the world view that we have the best society on earth – other countries would become “better,” if they became more like us.  And so the second portion of that question, what I received in return from living in a different culture is rarely asked.

As stated in my book, the key factor that persuaded me to go to the Kingdom in 1978 was the promise of 60 days vacation a year. It was a promise that was kept, and outside certain jobs in the teaching profession, it would have been almost impossible to achieve in the United States. With all the improvements in “labor-saving” devices, and the scientific revolution, why, in particular, is the America society and economy organized on the assumption that have two months vacation a year is impossible? But there was much else: Saudi Arabia was a wonderful place to raise our children, particularly when they were young. We have many fond memories of taking them to the public parks in Riyadh in the evenings. In addition, save for the final year we were there, it was a perfectly safe country to travel in, and camp in the desert. We consider ourselves fortunate to have seen and experienced that vast major of the country. Another aspect that I discussed in the book, based on my experience with the American School Board in Riyadh, and the Saudi administration at KFSH, and it is counter to the general impression held in the West, I found the Saudis more open and receptive to new ideas than the Americans.

4)      Were there any memorable moments for you while in Saudi Arabia?

Far too many to recount, even in a book. Often it was the chance encounters with Saudis, in meetings in our travels throughout the country. For example, the Saudi border guard who helped us make a phone call that enabled a smooth departure with our vehicle in 1989; others took great pride in their country and wanted to show us a portion, from the Emir of Hafr Al Batin, to a passing stranger in Shaqra. Others Saudis showed us one of our favorite places, Abu Kaab, 175 km northwest of Wadi Dewasir, which may someday be as famous as Yosemite in the United States, or Ayer’s Rock in Australia. And we had a wonderful time with Abdullah Al Sadhan and Nassir Qasibi, filming an episode of Tash ma Tash, on the impact of 9-11 on Saudi nationals living in the United States.

5)      What did you think about the US “media-war” against Saudi Arabia and its people post 9/11?

I don’t think “media war” is a good expression. Over the past eight years since 9-11 many Americans, including portions of the media, are questioning our current policy of endless war. That is one of the reasons why President Obama was elected, to CHANGE our current policies. As I said in the episode of Tash ma Tash that my family and I participated in, since the collapse of the Soviet Union, there is a segment of the population, particularly those in leadership positions, who believe it is beneficial for America to have enemies. And as I said to Abdullah Al Sadhan, “…and I’m afraid the new enemy will be you.”  I also said why I felt that was so: “so that we do not have to look at the problems in our own society.” There are also economic reasons for promoting endless war – while the vast majority of Americans become poorer, a few Americans use warfare to amass immense wealth. Portions of the media do promote the ideas that support endless war, for example, Fox News, which is anything but what its slogan proclaims, “fair and balanced.” Other portions of the media, with an eye fixed on their financial viability, and hence their advertiser’s expectations, find it easiest to promote and report on existing stereotypes. Fortunately, there are portions that DO challenge these images, and it would be most helpful to identify these, and write articles or give interviews for them.

6)      What’s your opinion on the level of knowledge Americans have regarding Saudi Arabia and its people? Do you think they have the complete image of Saudis?

Sadly, all too many Americans are ignorant of their own history.  They are also ignorant of world geography – how many children asked my son what it was like to live in Africa – yes, that is where they thought Saudi Arabia is. So, only a few really take the time to learn about the Kingdom, but that is also true of other countries. Still, it is much more important for Americans to learn about Saudi Arabia than, say, Malawi, due to its importance to us, as well as to overcome the ideas of those who promote Islamophobia.

7)      How can Saudi students here in the United States help change any existing negative images about their native country?  
King Abdullah has taken a number of steps to help promote reconciliation between the Islamic world and the West, and end the current conflict. We now have a President in the United States who is willing to reciprocate. One of the steps King Abdullah took is to send numerous Saudis to the United States on government scholarship – the Saudi Cultural Mission in Washington DC says that the number is now 18,000. They live throughout the USA, and each is an “ambassador” for their country, with their statements and actions reflecting upon the Kingdom. Some feel it is best to maintain a “low profile,” but I think it important that each be more proactive, to take positive and constructive steps to change an admittedly negative image. Here is one small example of what I mean. We both know that there are numerous books written about the Kingdom that are false or very misleading. Suppose if each of the 18,000 read just one book, as part of his government scholarship, and critique it, calmly and factually making rebuttals to the errors. For instance, there is a book entitled “Finding Nouf,” written by an American woman with a very active imagination. Almost all reviewers say that it is a great book, gives fantastic insights into the Kingdom etc. At Amazon.com you can write a review of the book if you are a customer. Only I and a Saudi, Tariq Abu Obaid, have written very negative reviews, listing only some of the mistakes. Imagine the impact if we were joined by a hundred others?
This, and other ideas I discuss during my presentations at universities, and I look forward to the one in St. Cloud.