I just read this lovely speech from the Sultan of Oman.......
Oman Sultan Qaboos Disapproves of Term 'Unemployment,' Listens to Citizens’ Requests

The following are excerpts from a speech by the Sultan of Oman, Qaboos bin Said. Oman TV aired this speech on February 8, 2005

Sultan Qaboos: I'd like to mention one more thing: I don't like the word "unemployment." This is a strange word and peculiar word. "Jobless"… "unemployment"… These are strange words. You should say "job seekers" or "those who seek jobs." "Jobless"… "unemployment"… these words are a little… There should be awareness and education on this point. Is seeking work a bad thing? The word "unemployment"… I really disapprove of these words. Therefore, I believe that it is important to use words that are faithful to their meaning. One should use "job seeker." "Why say "jobless"?! In what way is he "less"? These are words that have become common and people use them without knowing their underlying meaning. These are bad words. I emphasize these things, and I hope that what I have said today will reach many people in this country, through you and the media. Welcome, and thank you. Afterwards, His Majesty, may God protect him, listened to the citizens' requests and suggestions on various issues of concern to them.

and I thought, yeah it's really must better to think positively of one's situation......I am a job seeker......

What do you think? cool huh?

http://www.memritv.org/Transcript.asp?P1=544

sayid fatak

Can you post the source?

I still can memorise every word in that speech in one of the Jawlaat ’regional visits”.. ' say mashallah'

So Fatak, what's your Q.. what do we think of what ?

Fatak ,

Just to clarify something, to understand the exact wording in Arabic:

-HM used the word ‘3a6il’ which is not typical translation to ‘unemployed’ as when it posted in your post or in the english reference that you have linked. The word ‘ 3a6il’ means ‘ the one who is idle and hopeless to do anything’ and that why he is not happy about ppl keep using it..

A. Job seeker = unemployed at the moment; is actively looking for a job.
B. Unemployed = doesn't have a job; is/isn't looking for a job.

Is A = B? Not if the person is more of a bum than a job seeker...

Words Of Wisdom :angel:

Fatak ,

Just to clarify something, to understand the exact wording in Arabic:

-HM used the word ‘3a6il’ which is not typical translation to ‘unemployed’ as when it posted in your post or in the english reference that you have linked. The word ‘ 3a6il’ means ‘ the one who is idle and hopeless to do anything’ and that why he is not happy about ppl keep using it..

Now I know why you be "the brain"........I kind of noticed the english part was so little......thanks......so he is saying don't feel hopeless?

I was wondering what do you think the people say, that go and sit infront of him......is that also recorded or printed?

sayid fatak

I like the idea of not using the words "Unemployed" or "Jobless".. They're just so negative and make it seem like the person is NOT even trying to find a job.. Although I used the word "useless bum" to describe myself when I was .. jobless.. and unemployed.. :p


I was wondering what do you think the people say, that go and sit infront of him......is that also recorded or printed?

I didn't get this part...?

"ba7ith 3an 3amal" --> Translation! (Job Seeker)

Well what about the ones who cant find a job?

Great Speech, I remember this speech was on people's headlines for weeks

I understand what the message behind the speech is, like by calling yourself a job seeker, it motivates you to live up to your title and actually go look for something - but at the same time, unemployed and job seeker are the same thing, so there's no point in people trying to hide behind a title.

It's just being positive and that the Sultan does know the majority's situation