Bureaucracy and development in Saudi Arabia: A behavioural analysis

The objective of the paper is to evaluate the developmental potential of the Saudi bureaucracy in terms of the innovative or developmental attitudes of its members. The paper is divided into four sections: (1) a brief discussion of the research procedures used in the study, (2) an analysis of group perceptions of innovative values within the Saudi bureaucracy, (3) an analysis of the innovative attitudes of Saudi bureaucrats and (4) an analysis of the factors inhibiting the development of innovative behaviour among Saudi bureaucrats. The results of the study indicate low levels of innovative behaviour among Saudi bureaucrats.     

A portrait of the Israeli woman as the beloved: the woman‐soldier in the poetry of Mahmüd Darwish after the 1967 war

Understandably, the treatment of the Israeli as an individual in contemporary Arabic literature has been quite limited. A significant attempt to portray an Israeli woman has been made by the Palestinian poet, Mahmüd Darwish. Over the course of three poems, written at different points in the poet's career, Darwish introduces and develops the character Rita, capturing in each poem a different facet of the personal, human tragedy inherent in the love between an Israeli woman and a Palestinian man. The conflicts of love, national suffering, and the inconstancy of human behaviour work against any hope for a lasting relationship between Rita and the poet. Beyond the narrative of this ‘Rita trilogy’, a number of points merit critical evaluation: the novelty of a compassionate portrayal of an Israeli woman in Arabic literature, and the question of whether Rita is in fact an individual or a symbol of something greater. Texts of the poems treated are provided as appendices in both English and Arabic.     

Racial inequality in employment in Canada: Empirical analysis and emerging trends

Abstract: This article examines racial discrimination in employment in Canada using data from a sample of legal cases that were published in the Canadian Human Rights Reporter between 1980 and 1999. The authors discuss some theoretical perspectives on racial discrimination, briefly review empirical studies on the topic, examine the nature of and trends in such employment discrimination cases over the two decades, and provide an in‐depth discussion and analysis of selected legal cases on racial discrimination in Canada. After some concluding remarks, policy recommendations to combat racial discrimination in the workplace are suggested. Sommaire: Le présent article examine la discrimination raciale en matière d'emploi au Canada à l'aide de données d'un échantillon de causes judiciaires qui ont été publiées dans le Canadian Human Rights Reporter de 1980 à 1999. Les auteurs discutent de certaines perspectives théoriques sur la discrimination raciale, passent brièvement en revue les études empiriques sur le sujet, examinent la nature et les tendances de tels cas de discrimination en matière d'emploi au cours des deux décennies, et fournissent une discussion et analyse approfondie de causes judiciaires sélectionnées portant sur la discrimination raciale au Canada. En conclusion, ils proposent des recommandations de politiques pour combattre la discrimination raciale dans le lieu de travail     

The significance of Cancún

This paper discusses the effects of feminism, nationalism and colonialism on modern Arab women. These three elements are seen as interconnected in the Arab world, as in many other developing countries. However, even though early Arab feminist consciousness developed hand in hand with national consciousness, feminism is an indigenous product of Arabic political and socioeconomic dynamics. The colonialist and counter‐colonialist representations of Arab women need to be challenged. And observers must see that Arab women's need for positive change is no more nor less than that of women anywhere else.     

Origin and development of forensic medicine in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The medicolegal death investigation system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is unique in the world. It is exclusively derived from Islamic judiciary based on Shari'ah law, which is the definitive Islamic law or doctrine. This law is applied on Saudi citizens as well as foreigners. This is different from other Islamic countries, which have a combination of Islamic and other judiciary systems.The forensic medicine centers in KSA are related administratively to the Ministry of Health (MOH) and its subdivisions in the different governorates. They are concerned with forensic medical examination and autopsy, as well as the clinical forensic medical examination of sexual assault cases, and those injured in civil and criminal cases. The assisting laboratories (forensic histopathology, microbiology, serology, forensic chemistry) are working independently under the funding of MOH, whereas the DNA laboratory and other departments of forensic sciences, for example, counterfeiting and forgery unit are related administratively to the Ministry of Interior represented by the Administration of Criminal Evidences. Efforts concerning crime scene investigations are shared with Administration of Criminal Evidences' crime scene investigators.Forensic medicine education in KSA developed in the past few years after the foundation of Saudi specialty certificate in forensic medicine. The certificate is a postgraduation qualification equivalent to a doctorate degree in forensic medicine and requires completion of a 4-year training program in both MOH- and Ministry of Interior-related departments, as well as passing annual evaluation and examination.This review is aimed at providing in the next decade the medicolegal centers with national forensic specialists throughout the kingdom and granting skillful headships for the next generations. Moreover, this review suggests more scientific associations with the academic universities in the various fields of forensic sciences through academic cooperation.