I RECENTLY received on social media the story of an Arab person working in a Gulf country.
His story is that 35 years ago he had applied for the position of an Arabic language teacher through the embassy of that Gulf nation.
While waiting in the hall for an interview, the call to noon prayer was heard. The head of the interview committee performed the prayer; a number of the applicants did not and sat waiting in the balcony, while others began browsing the newspapers.
After completing the prayer, the head of the committee called on all those who had not prayed to leave the hall and asked the rest to visit the secretariat to complete employment procedures, sign employment contracts and receive flight tickets!
Defending his decision, the head said: “How can I protect students and young people from teachers who are not keen on prayer?”
It is very unfortunate that we link religion in all aspects of our lives and work. What does a job applicant have to do with prayers? What about his academic, practical and educational qualifications?
Let us separate a person’s religious commitment and suitability for a job. Whether adherence to his religion or not is a personal matter between him and his God. Let us not confuse matters and involve religion in all issues that do not serve the public interest.
I am certain that this practice of selecting teachers no longer exists in this day and age; if it does, then peace be upon education!
Once, when I was working, my manager asked me to submit an Asian employee’s request over the rest of the applications because this employee prayed with the manager in the mosque!
Imagine this mentality or logic! To be honest, I did the impossible and rejected the manager’s request and tried to convince him that this was not fair and the concerned employee would have to wait his turn, pointing out doing otherwise would be considered unfair to others. Frankly, I felt a lot of peace in my mind and soul because of my success in convincing my manager.
This is just a simple example of many common and wrong practices and misuse of the authority granted to many officials that we find in many governmental and private institutions and bodies. Applying the rules of work or following the code of ethics is an urgent necessity in any successful institution.
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