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I lived in Bahrain, not in Saudi Arabia, but I'd be interested to hear your take on Islam and Saudis

I used to sign my letters home: from the dark side of the moon. The middle east was so alien to me.

But, I got a nice job and my Saudi boss and co-workers (about 30 Saudi men) treated me very well. They had been Americans in Saudi since the late 1920's so these ARAMCO Saudis were used to Americans.
I loved my boss and another co-worker. Mohammad treated me with respect and dignity. He let me go to daily Mass during work hours, putting down the complaints from my fellow worker, an Indian Catholic. "Harry," he told my co-worker" God is number one. There is always time for God. Cloud Mountain (not my real name of course) can go to pray whenever she wants." I always made up the time.
Yes, I started my habit of daily Mass in Saudi Arabia thanks to my Muslim boss.
There was one cranky old man who worked there. He was never rude to me but always cranky and there was one guy who wasn't very bright, but he was always nice. The rest were very nice to me.

One guy, Ali, and I spoke a lot because his English was very good. At a party I went to I got a party favor and didn't want it. It was a little lunch pail, so I gave it to Ali to give to his children.
Two days later he came in looking beaten and war. He hold me that I had started a war. BOTH his daughters wanted that "little lunch pail" and so could I PLEASE get him another one. :o) I did and peace was restored.

Another time, I was leaving a jewelry store in Khobar and a young Saudi was coming in. I thought he would step back and let me pass. HE thought I would step back and let him pass. Neither would give in. We glared at each other then, still glaring, we circled around each other and went our way. Lol. There are ALWAYS punks in this world. I knew that and I was bound to meet one.
I DID obey their rules--dress circumspectively, not wear a cross outside my blouse to show off to the world, I didn't travel alone at night in the cities (though I did on camp) and generally showed the respect due to being a guest in a foreign country.
The Saudis are like everyone else, just Joe Blows from Kokomo. They want a better life for their children and are most concerned about their own lives.
Some were more religious than others, some less.
ARACMO paid us obscenely and we traveled ALL OVER the world.

It was such an adventure. I had MORE trouble with the American TWITS over there than I did with any one else, lol, but that's not news. Some of them did such STUPID things but I made some GREAT FRIENDS.
I just got back visiting an old ARAMCO friend in Texas. Both our husbands have long gone but we stay friends after ALL these years.

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Their faith was no barrier to me. No one tried to convince me to change.

I remember I needed a job here in the states. I ended up teaching P.E. at an Orthodox Jewish school. The Rabbi liked my credentials, "very educated" and he ALSO asked me if I were a Church going Christian. He was very pleased that I attended daily Mass. I thought that BOTH the Muslim and Jewish faiths had their devoted followers and had respect for all faiths "of the Book."

I LOVED Bahrain. I saw Tony Bennett over there once...and he sang his signature song. Snerf.

People treat me as well as I treat them. I try to avoid the jerks everywhere and stay close to the nicer people. Don't we all do that?

When we finally came home, after five years in the KSA, we landed at LAX and I KISSED the ground of the good ole USA...yes, I KISSED the floor of the LAX. Lol. Boy, was I GLAD to be home!!!