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Big Brother to the Rescue

Summary: You, Y/N Rhodes, get really sick during the night and have to be taken to the hospital. You're dad is not around and Claire is out of town so you turn to the only person you trust, your big brother, Connor Rhodes.

Pairings: Connor Rhodes x Sister!Reader

Warnings: angst, fluff, cussing, inaccurate medical talk, fever, vomit, hospitals

Masterlist

You loved your brother, Connor Rhodes, to death and he loved you the same, maybe even more. You love your sister, Claire Rhodes, too but not as much as you loved Connor. They practically raised you. Your living situation was not good. Your father, Cornelius Rhodes, was a massive jerk and your mother passed away when you were young. You looked up to Clarie as a mother figure and Connor as a father figure. Connor was only 16 when you were born and he instantly fell in love with you and was proud to be the big brother and jumped at every chance to help out with you. He was the best big brother you could ask for. Clarie was the best sister you could ask for too but it wasn't a bond like you and Connor had. 

Growing up was not the most pleasant and it turned worse when your mother passed. When Connor turned 18, he tried so hard to get custody over you but it was quickly shot down even though he had a steady income and home but your dad was so powerful that he made it not happen. It also didn't help that Connor was going to medical school and wasn't home a lot but it could've worked, you still visited him often and had a lot of sleepovers with him plus it was a place for you to escape from your dad.  When your guys’ dad started to criticize him for his medical school he had enough and moved to a different state but that didn't stop you from contacting him all the time and taking trips, when you were allowed, down to see him in Guadalajara, Mexico. It broke your heart that he moved but your bond never weakened and when he spent his residency in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, you weren't allowed to visit him but video calling was a daily routine. He hated that he couldn't bring you with him but he didn't have custody and it would be too much hassle to get you over to Saudi Arabia whereas Mexico was a little easier.  

—------

When Connor finally came back to Chicago, you were 12, you were ecstatic you finally had your father figure back. You caught him up on everything and while he was away. Claire resented him for leaving but she could never be mad at you. She would do everything to protect you, if you had girl questions or boy problems you were going to her. Your dad couldn't give a shit about you, sure he fed you and gave you a roof over your head but he didn't want you and he could care less about you. So, when Connor came back and started working at Gaffney Chicago Medical Center for his fellowship for trauma surgery fellowship everything went back to normal. Your daily meetups, sleepovers, and going to him for problems and medical issues started right back up like he never left. He still tried to get custody but it failed every time but he wasn't going to stop fighting for you, they wouldn't let him have you even if you said you wanted to live with him.

—------

When you were 13 you had gotten really sick like hospital sick. It was a night that Connor wasn't working and you were just in agony. Claire had moved out and your father was at a charity thing leaving you home alone. It started in the middle of the night waking you up from a dead sleep. You desperately tried to call your dad but it just went to voicemail so you tried one more time and he answered 

“Dad, I don't feel good.” You told him. 

“What's wrong?” He asked and this gave a you some hope. 

“My stomach really hurts. I feel like I'm going to throw up. I feel hot.” You said

“Suck it up. There is medicine in the cabinet downstairs.” He said and hung up and you let out a sob. 

You pulled yourself off your bed and dragged yourself to the steps and took painful steps down the steps. You sobbed the entire time. You finally got to the kitchen and opened the cabinet and grabbed the painkillers and you took them. Almost immediately as it touched your stomach you were throwing up everywhere. You were so weak. So weak that you just ended up collapsing onto the kitchen floor just barely missing your throw up. Thankfully you had grabbed your phone and slowly and shakingly grabbed your phone, your vision blurring. You unlocked it and pulled up your contacts and hit one you knew all too well. It rang not even once and Connor's voice came through.

“Y/N/N? It's 3 AM. What's wrong?” He asked in a voice full of concern.

“I... I... I don't feel good.” You said your teeth were chattering because despite your temperature, you were freezing.

“Where's dad? Did you tell him?” He asked and you could hear him rustling around.

“He's at a charity event. I... I called him and told him but he told me to suck it up and take the medicine in the cabinet in the kitchen. I'm in so much pain, Con. I took the medicine and immediately threw it up.” You told him the feeling of the cold floor was nice.

“Bastard.” He murmured “I'm on my way. You stay put.” He said. 

“I'm hot but so cold.” You said letting your eyes droop. “So tired.” You added.

“Hey, stay on the phone with me. Why didn't you call Clarie? She lives closer.” He asked

“She's gone out of town.” You said and you could hear him get into his car and the engine start. 

“Son of a bitch.” He said and started to drive as fast as he could while still obeying the speed limit. He kept talking to you but you stopped responding and that scared him. He hung up when he arrived at your guys’ family home. He was quick to jump out and run to the front door and grab the key under the mat and opened it.

The house was dark but he knew where you were at. “Y/N/N. It's me.” He yelled out but got no response. He walked into the kitchen and saw you lying there. “Fuck.” He murmured to himself and ran over to you missing your vomit. He kneeled down and touched your forehead and retracted his hand “Damn, Sis. You're burning up.” He said. He walked over to the drawer and grabbed the thermometer and thankfully it was on that stuck in your ear. He put it there and waited for it to beep and when it did, he cursed and read it aloud “104.3. Fuck I need to take you in.” He said and started to try and wake you up. ���Y/N/N, Sweetheart. It's me. Your brother. Can you open your eyes?” He asked as he pressed two fingers to your neck. “Damn, pulse is way too fast.” He said and him talking must've started to rouse you.

“Con?” You asked and he smiled softly. 

“Yea it's me. Can you open your eyes?” He asked and you cracked them open until they were open. “There we go.” He said.

“Tired.” You said and started to close again.

“No. Hey, keep those eyes open. I'm going to take you to Med, Ok?” He asked and you nodded.

“Ok. Go see Will?” You asked and he smiled. Will has become a favorite of yours and he doesn’t know why.

“Yes. We'll go see Will.” He said as he started to stand you and your legs shook like a newborn foal's standing for the first time. “Can you walk?” He asked.

“I don’t know.” You said in barely just a whisper and you tried to take a few steps and all but collapsed into his arms.

“That is a no.” He said and then he was scooping you up into his arms and walking out of the house and to his car. He got you in the passenger side seat and then him in the driver’s seat and he was off heading to Med as fast as he could. He continued to talk to you to keep you awake and before you knew it you were pulling into Med. He parked and turned the car off and got out heading to the passenger side seat. He quickly scooped you up and shut the door hastily. He rushed you into ED where he saw Maggie. “Mags.” He said and she looked up at him and quickly rushed you into a bay. “She wants Will.” He said and she nodded. She walked out of the room and went to get Will not even a second later he was rushing into the room.

“Connor? What is going on?” He asked

“She called me saying she didn’t feel good and when I asked her what was wrong, she told me she was hot but so cold. She said she took some medicine but once she took it, she immediately threw up. When I got there, she was passed out on the floor next to a pile of vomit. She was burning up to the touch, she had and still has according to the monitor a temperature of 104.3 and her pulse was fast, way too fast.” He explained as they could see from the monitor “She also said she was really tired. I woke her up and had her stand and she shook like a life, she tried to walk but she collapsed into my arms and then I quickly got her in the car and rushed her here.” He finished.

“Why isn’t Cornelius here instead?” Will asked

“He is at a charity event. Left her by herself. She called him and told him she was sick but he told her to suck it up and take the medicine in the cabinet.

“Bastard.” Will said

“That’s what I said.” Connor said

“I want to get an ultrasound done on her stomach to rule out appendicitis.” Will said and Connor nodded.

“I agree.” Connor said and soon Will was calling in the ultrasound machine and he got to work with the help of a nurse. “So, it is not appendicitis.” Connor confirmed and Will nodded.

“I want to run some tests on her. Swab for flu and viral infection and take some blood as well.” He said and Connor nodded. Throughout this entire process you had been out and now that you were in the hospital you were allowed to sleep. “I want to get some fluids running to help with her temperature and get some IV children’s Tylenol on board as well.” He said and again Connor nodded. As the nurse was preparing everything you started to wake up. 

“Will?” You asked and he smiled and looked over at you.

“Hey, Sweetheart. We’re going to get you feeling better, ok? I just want to run some tests.” He said and you nodded.

“Ok.” You said and then you saw the needles “Con, no.” You said and shook your head but that was a mistake because it hurt your head.

“Hey it is ok. I’ll be here the entire time. Ok?” He asked and you nodded and then he nodded at the nurse and Will and everyone got to work. Soon blood was taken, fluids were hooked up, and swabs were taken.

“Get those tests going ASAP.” Will told the nurse and she nodded and they were out of the room. Will had to tend to some other patients and you both understood and they let you go back to sleep. With the fluids going your pulse was starting to come up and it was steady since you were sleeping and your temperature was starting to come down and the IV children’s Tylenol helped with that. 20 minutes later Will was coming in.

“So?” Connor asked

“She has a really bad viral infection and she has a really bad case of the flu. I want to get her admitted and keep her here for a few days.” Will said

“This had to be going on for a few days.” Connor said

“Did she not tell you anything about it?” He asked and Connor shook his head.

“No, she didn’t look sick when we met up a couple of days ago.” Connor said, sighing and Will nodded.

“Let’s get her moved.” Will said and so they did.

The next time you were waking up, 3 hrs. after coming into ED, you were waking up in a room. “Connor?” You asked sluggishly.

“Hey, Sis. I’m here.” He said coming over to you as he entered the room with a cup of coffee. 

“Where am I?” You asked and he smiled and came over and sat next to you.

“In the hospital. You have a really bad case of the flu and a bad viral infection. Will is taking care of you and has you on antibiotics.” He said and you nodded and you were struggling to keep your eyes open. 

“Dad?” You asked

“Not here.” He said and to be honest he didn’t want him here. He hadn’t even thought about him since you arrived here and boy was, he going to have some words for him. “Go back to sleep.” He said and you nodded and were out like a light and he could tell because your heart rate slowed. Now it was time to have some words for his father. He made sure you were asleep before pulling his phone out and stepping out of the room where he saw Will. “Hey, I need to make a phone call. Mind staying with her?” He asked and Will smiled.

“Of course.” He said and walked into the room with you and Connor walked into the doctor’s lounge and dialed his dad’s phone number and he rang 5 times before he answered. Cornelius didn’t even have time to say hi before Connor started to rail into him.

“Do you know where your daughter is?” Connor asked

“No, but she has made a mess in the kitchen she needs to clean up.” Cornelius said and Connor saw red.

“She’s in the hospital because she has a bad case of the flu and a bad case of a viral infection.” Connor said venom in his words.

“Well, she needs to get home now and clean the mess up.” He said 

“She will be doing no such thing. Not anymore.” Connor said

“And why is that?” Cornelius asked

“Because she is coming to live with me. I was the one that found her when she called and told me what was going on while you were too busy at a charity event. She told you she was sick and you told her to suck it up. You told her to take the medicine in the cabinet and she instantly threw it up. She was running a 104.3 fever when I found her and she couldn’t even stand or walk. She was so weak. I’m filing for sole custody of her and you’re going to sign it because you are not fit to be a father let alone a guardian. You will not be coming to see her. You will not see her at all unless she is with me or have contact with her. That is final.” He went off on him. Cornelius was silent by the time he was done.

“Fine. Keep the bitch. I don’t care. I’ll have her stuff packed and waiting for you to pick it up.” He said and then hung up the phone. Connor was relieved now he needed to start the paperwork. He let out a sigh of relief.  

Connor walked back to your room and saw you wake and sitting up talking to Will. You looked over and saw him. You still looked tired but you were awake. “Where were you?” You asked.

“I was on the phone with dad.” He said

“I’ll leave the two of you alone. I will be back in a few to check on you.” Will said, directing that last sentence to you. You and Connor nodded and Will left. 

“Is he coming?” You asked and he shook his head.

“No.” He said and you looked relieved “I have good news though.” He said and you perked up.

“Oh?” You asked curious and he nodded.

“From now on you will be coming to live with me and you won’t see him or talk to him.” Connor said and your face brightened.

“Really?” You asked and he nodded.

“Really.” He said and you squealed in excitement. Your wish was finally coming true. You were going to be living with your big brother. You then started to go on about all the things you two could do together and he smiled and nodded. You suddenly stopped talking and looked at him and smiled. “What?” He asked.

“I love you, Con.” You said and he smiled.

“I love you too, Y/N/N. Now and forever.” He said and he leaned over to kiss your forehead.

“Now and forever.” You confirmed. Your wish did come true and you couldn’t be happier.

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Arab Masters

A different story

Ken was frequently on business trips to Saudi Arabia sometimes for 2 weeks at a time. After a day of meetings when there was nothing for him to do he used the hotel gym to work out. At least it took up some time and kept him in good shape. He was 6” with a honed body and wide shoulders. Blond and hairless but he knew he looked good. The hotel gym after a while he felt was too boring. The other guys there were also businessmen and most just used the bike and those that did weights were so half hearted. He rarely spoke to any of them. There was no need to keep using the same hotel so he looked on line to see what hotel had the best gym. He found a good hotel which had no gym but next door was a well set up gym with all the right weight lifting equipment which was open to the public. This to Ken seemed a much better place for his next visit.

He entered the new gym not sure what it would be like and was amazed to see how many people were used every bit of equipment. He was the only white guy in the room. All the others were local and into building a really good body. You could almost see them vying with one another. Most of the guys were over 6” and packed with muscle with their brown tanned bodies and beards. Ken immediately noticed that they all had well developed black hairy legs. He had never really thought about Arab men before and had never been into them. All the guys he picked up were usually blond. But these guys were something else, they were so masculine, in fact they oozed masculinity. No doubt they did all this work out to impress their young wives sitting at home waiting for them to return. This was a man’s world. The room was heavy with the smell of sweat and most guys were working out so hard that their tops seeped with sweat and he could see the glistening sweat running down their arms from their hairy armpits.

‘Christ I will have to step up a bit here if I am to use this gym’.

Once he had done his hour’s training he went to the shower area and his eyes were out on stalks. Almost all the guys without exception were as hairy on their back as their front. It was like a carpet of thick black curly hair all the way down their backs from their necks, the hair thickening up as it vanished into their arse crack. Their hair was a perfect line down their chest and around heavy dark brown nipples and spread out to form what almost looked like a forest around their cock and balls. All the guys had cut cocks and all thick and heavy with glistening heads.  Ken noticed that as they heavily soaped themselves their hands moved more slowly around their balls, tweaking them and pulling them then placing their big hands over their shafts, stroking lightly so their cocks grew slightly . They were almost ready to become erect but they stopped themselves at that point and then let the water wash away the soap to show off their cocks to perfection. They were obviously getting off on the adrenalin and see each others bodies. Ken had always thought he was fairly well endowed but all these guys had thicker dicks. He found himself having to face the shower controls as his own cock lengthened, without any hand help. Shit there was no way he could have a full boner in front of these guys not in Saudi Arabia.

Keeping his towel well wrapped around him and his hands over his cock he went into the changing room. Most guys had brought joggers and a lycra top, the top taught across their erect nipples and so tight on their muscled arms. A few put on jockstraps so when they pulled up their joggers there was a definite bulge on the front. Other guys put on their thobes and he noted that as a couple of them walked even with their underwear he could see a cock swinging with the edge of the head and shaft showing.

Ken almost ran up to his bedroom his cock starting to leak some precum from being in amongst so much testerone.  All that black hair, bears and muscle had made him feel so horny.. He stripped off and went ito the bathroom standing in front of the mirror his boner so rigid and so vertical. He had never felt like this. He looked at his own cock his hairless blond body  and as he put a firm hand around his cock he said.

‘Shit man, all that male sex, all those black hairy muscle guys with their thick cocks, I wish I could look like that. Christ why am is saying this I love blonds but the place is just so full of men sex. They are all real men and I wish that I could be one of them.’

As he looked at himself in the mirror he imagined himself transformed into a hairy arab with full black hair and thick beard. His cock felt almost sore he was so worked up and with one hand tweaking his nipples imagining them full and pert like the other . He let his hand rub and and down his shaft faster and faster, his breathing quickening as he let himself imagine more.

‘Fuck man I wanna be a hairy arab’ and with that he shot his load not just over the basin but onto the mirror, great white creamy globules dripping down. ‘That was the best wank I’ve ever had’, he thought as he wiped the mirror clean.

The next day he could hardly concentrate on his meetings. All he could think of was getting back to the gym. He spent an hour that evening doing few of the weights but quietly staring at all the muscled arab men. Why had he never thought about them before but now it was all he could think of . Before going into the shower he thought he would try out the sauna and as he walked into the space, 3 hairy arabs were sitting in a row on the upper seat with a towel over their private parts. They nodded at Ken and he sat on the lower seat but looking directly at the men.

‘So white boy, you like our gym?’

‘Yes it’s great’, he replied

‘Full of muscle arab men and only you as white.’

‘Yes I see that’

‘But you obviously like to be here with us hairy guys as I saw you yesterday looking at us all.’

‘I was doing training,’ Ken replied

‘Nothing in comparison to the weights we all lift.’

‘Perhaps but you are bigger than me,’ he tried to defend himself

‘You are right. We are real men not pussy white boys’

Ken did not know how to reply so he seemed polite so he said nothing and was about to get up and leave when the middle guy said

‘See even now you are lower than us in the sauna. That means you are lower than us in every way. You want to obey us arabs, you want masters. So do not think of leaving now. You are scum and scum boys lick the feet of their masters. Start licking our feet. They are all nice and sweaty form working out so you need to lick a lot. Get down on your knees and start white faggot.’

Ken knew he could not leave he had to obey, they were too powerful for him to think of leaving.

Letting his towel fall he got down on his knees and started to let his tongue roll over the first pair of feet. They were cheesy and unwashed from training.

‘Lick them clean you faggot cover your spit over both my feet, feel the curly black hair on my feet in your mouth, get your tongue between my toes and clean . that’s right get hold of my feet and caress them as you lick. He put his hand on Ken’s head and pushed it down pressing Ken’s lips tight against his feet

‘Good boy.’

‘Now it my turn,’ the middle one said

‘Lick hard you white faggot. You are our slave and you will  do what we say. Lick boy, let me feel your lips and tongue against me. The middle guy had very large feet the instep covered in black hair and almost between the toes.

‘You are a good boy so look up at us.’

The three men had removed their towels and all were sitting with erect cocks. All at least 9” and thick, their cocks sprouting from very hairy pubes, their heavy balls resting on the bench. Their hands were gently stroking their own cocks

‘You see you do your work well. You make us hard and horny, faggot. Now clean my friend’s feet’

As Ken started to lick the third feet having seen three massive cocks in front of him and all guys with a mat of chest hair his own cock started to respond to the pleasure and he could feel his erection quickly reaching its full length. The third guy kicked Ken away from his feet and he was now sitting staring up at all three boners.

‘So now faggot you have your next job. You have three cocks to suck and three cocks to give you all their arab juices.’

The middle man pulled Ken up to ensure his head was level with his cock.

‘Look at this big arab cock, you are to suck me dry that is an order. Open your mouth boy and take me all the way down your throat, get some of that white spit over my nice shiny head, that’s it, now open wide and don’t choke you are a slave and you take all we give.’

Ken opened his mouth as wide as he could terrified that the shaft was so big he would gag but he knew he would probably be beaten and he had to carefully breathe but suddenly the man guided his head into the shaft and Ken could feel the cock sliding further and further down his throat the length seemed to go on forever. But the man’s hands were now clenched around his head and shoving his cock the full way in.

‘You white boys love arab cock. I want to feel your mouth smothered by my hairy pubes so force yourself in and feel the heat of my body. Out the side of his eyes he could see the guys on each side were stroking their own sizable cocks as they watched their friend being gobbled. That’s it boy take it all and let me feel your spit sliding up and down me. Suck quicker faggot and get it fully up and down into my pubes. Fuck man you are good. My friends are getting ready for you next and seeing them masturbate and have you sucking me is making me ready to shoot everything in my balls . You must swallow it all got it.’

Taking his hands the arab made sure Ken’s head was fully into his pubes as he exploded his cum, his body jerking with pleasure.

‘Fuck man that is good.’

Suddenly Ken felt another hand grab his hair and pull him off the first arab.

‘Suck mine now boy, I’ve wanked myself to be ready to cum and having seen the way you swallow cum you will take mine.’

Ken was dragged over to one of the other men who quickly opened Ken’s mouth and shoved his cock in all the way down,

‘Suck fast, let me feel your lips tight against my shaft. Make sure you swallow my cum and mix it is with my Friend.. Fuck I’m coming as I wanked so much.’

 Ken almost choked with the amount of spunk going down his throat sucking as quickly as he could to take it all in. The guy pushed Ken back and said.

‘Now finish my other friend. As Ken moved across to take the other cock in his mouth the guy said.

‘Fuck it is too late, I’ve waited too long and have had to wank myself while watching you suck off the others so put your face in front of my dick.’

As Ken moved his face towards the cock the guy erupted his spunk in great blobs all over his face, into his eyes, over his nose and at his mouth, big globules of spunk running down his face and onto his chest.

‘You know how to deal with 3 horny arabs my friend.’

‘Now take your towel and wipe it off your face. We are not finished with you. Be back in the sauna at the same time tomorrow.’

And with that Ken was pushed aside as they put their towels around them and went to go out. One of the guys caught Ken’s head and said.

‘Remember you are ours.’

And with that he spat a great blob of spit onto Ken’s face.

‘Take that you faggot.’

Left alone in the sauna, Ken’s cock was straining with pleasure. He may have acted like a white faggot, as their slave but he had loved it and his cock needed release, he leant back on the sauna bench and let his hand rub his shaft faster and faster remembering the pleasure of sucking off three arab men Seeing the three hairy muscular arab men was too much and he shot his load up and over his chest. His face and chest were covered in spunk so he quickly toweled it off and took it into the shower to wash it off before going up to his bedroom exhausted but happy.

The next day he had another round of meetings but he was thinking how he was going to serve his three masters in the sauna this time. Part of him wanted to stay away, after all what would they do but he was almost hypnotized by their strength. He wanted to serve them but in fact what he really wanted was to look like them to be a hairy masculine arab man. He opened the sauna door at the agreed time and all there were in the same position waiting with no towels across their cocks

‘We knew you would come faggot. You love arab men, you would really like to be an arab man.’

‘Yes’

‘Yes what?’

‘Yes sir.’

‘Yes Master you say Ok?’

‘Yes master I would love to look like you but I am only a white faggot to serve you.’

‘And tonight you will serve us again. Keep standing and remove that towel of yours. The middle one was already wanking and his cock was stiff as a poker.

I wanted to prepare myself for you. He slid down to sit on the lower bench his legs wide apart so Ken could see the thick thighs with a massive cock and hairy pubes. He could smell the sweat from the guy who was now sitting directly in front of him. The guy took hold of his cock and let a large  blob of spit fall onto the cock head keeping his hand of his cock which was vertical he barked at Ken

‘Now turn round. I want you to sit on my cock and open up that hole of yours.’ The guy took a firm hold of Ken’s waist and starting lowering him onto his cock. ‘Take it easy to begin with as this is big, you faggot, but I know it will slide up your arse once my head gets past your opening. Ken winced as the cock entered but sitting above the man he wanted to feel the whole shaft sliding up so that when it was up to the hilt he was sitting in amongst a forest of curly black pubes. The guy pulled Ken’s body back against him.

‘Now feel my hairy chest rubbing against your back. This is what we arabs are like.  Feel my beard in your neck as I fuck you. So I want you to slowly take yourself up until you reach my head and the. Lower yourself.’

One of his mates came and stood in front of Ken his erect cock in front of Ken’s mouth.

‘You can have his pubes against your arse and my pubes against your face so open wide and take my prick. Suck while you are fucked.’

Ken opened his mouth as the guy moved forwards to grab Ken’s chin and force his mouth open.

‘Take my cock you bitch. As you suck up and down my shaft rise and fall on my friend’s cock I want you to have our cum meet in your body. As you swallow my spunk so you will feel spunk rising all the way up your arse.

Feeling the pubes of the two guys and knowing he was serving them and that he could feel both moaning meant he was doing a good job and he raised and lowed his body faster and faster while sucking in and out more quickly. He knew they were both about to cum, the third guy was looking on stroking his dick and salivating at the scene.

‘I am next to fuck boy. Get on you guys as its my turn.’

‘Shit we are coming so take our cum you little bitch man.’

First Ken felt the rush up his arse and seconds later he could feel the spunk erupting into his mouth and running down his chin.

As both men took out their cocks the third guy got hold of Ken and said

‘Turn round and sit down you scum. Raise your legs in the air so I can see that hole of yours.’

It’s covered in cum so I can fuck you nice and easy.’

He grabbed Ken’s legs and raised them up pushing Kens body back bringing his cock level with the hole.

‘This may not take long boy as I’m so fucking aroused by watching the other two but I’m unloading into you.’

And with that he rammed his thick cock into Ken’s hole and pushed the whole way up. Still keeping his hands on Kens legs he pumped Ken’s arse quicker and quicker. Ken could feel the cock sliding in and out of the other guys cum.

‘Take your arab master’s cum, bitch.’

 And with that he shot his load up into Kens arse.

The three men wiped their cocks as Ken slumped on the bench.

‘Bet you wish you were arab, bitch eh?’

‘Yes I want that.’

‘Well tidy up and get upstairs. You have made three masculine men very happy.’

And with that they walked out.

Drained from all the sex with the hunky Arabs, Ken got upstairs to shower himself clean and relax in his hotel room. Hardly had he come out the shower with the towel around him when there was a knock on the door. Not sure who was there he shouted out

‘Who’s that?’

‘You left something down in the gym’ came the reply.

Ken was sure he had taken everything up with him but opened the door thinking it might be the bellboy.

Standing in the doorway was one of the men from the sauna. He seemed to take up the whole doorway and was grinning at Ken. He was dressed in a white thobe with sandals and a thick gold watch. He had showered and dressed in traditional gear and look so handsome with his thick beard and gelled black hair.

‘Can I come in? I brought you some Turkish coffee which I know you will like.’

 He had a glass cup of coffee on one hand and a small bag on the other.

‘You smell good’ he said. ‘A good strong shower gets rid of all the cum and you certainly had your fair share from all ends. My friends and I like an obedient white boy to do what we want. White boy for arab cock eh? You are one of the best we have had. But I think it’s not just arab cock you like. I’ve seen you in the gym looking at us all and its clear you wish you looked like us. Am I right?’

‘Well em’ Ken mumbled

‘Admit it boy. You’d like to be a hairy muscle arab. Hair on the body and a good beard now really turn you on. You don’t even need to answer that as I can see that cock of yours rising under your towel.’

‘You are right I’ve never thought about arab men before until I went to your gym. The place was heaving with sweat, scent and musk and all the guys are so fit but apart from the muscles it is the hair and brown bodies that I have come to really love. I look at myself now all white and hairless and think it not what I want but its too late.’

‘It’s never too late, my brother. Why not take my coffee. With this coffee you down in one gulp.’

Ken took the glass from the large hairy hand and did as he was told. The coffee was only luke warm but as it started to slide down his throat it was almost a burning sensation and he felt the heat permeate his entire body to his fingertips and feet. The blood rushed to his head and he started to feel dizzy putting his hand over his eyes.

‘Good grief’, Ken said ‘this coffee is so strong I can feel the liquid surging through my body. My skin is so tight but I can feel it expanding, every part of my body expanding.’ As he looked own he shouted

‘My skin is changing colour, its becoming much darker just like yours. As he looked at the colour so he saw tufts of black hair growing out. Like swans down to begin with and then it got thicker and thicker. His arms bulked out to reveal big muscles covered in hair. He now had more than a 6 pack with huge pecs and such erect dark brown big nipples. His thighs now looked huge and were covered in black curly hair even over his feet up to and around his pubes which now looked like a forest. Growing down from his pubes was a thick dark brown cut cock, so thick with a glistening pinkish head. The hair continued to grow up all over his chest and across his shoulders. What was happening. His hands now looked like plates they were so big and he put his hands up to his forehead and realised something was odd with his hairline. Moving his hands over his head he realised that he had no hair, he had a totally shaved head. But he now had a long  thick beard that came down to the base of his neck as he had seen on many muslims.

‘That coffee has done you some good my friend. I decided that you wanted to be an arab and that can become a brother. Before you look in the mirror to admire yourself I brought you some new clothes that will now fit you and make look the full arab, so try these on.’

He opened the bag and took out the Arabic thobe and underwear and sandals.

‘Put these on my friend.’

Ken pulled up the undergarment and then the thobe which was so tight on his muscular arms that he to pull down tight over as the thobe was moulded to his arms. It was the perfect length.

‘Now you can look at the mirror.’

Ken stood staring in disbelief he was now as much an arab as the guy who was with him but even more so with the shaved hear and long beard. It only took a few seconds for him to look at himself before he could feel his new thick cock start to rise inside his thobe.

‘So my brother when you go to sleep tonight you will wake up tomorrow as Khalid no longer Ken  and you will have forgotten your past and embrace being an arab. You will live with me and serve me,  living as an arab, loving other arab men.

‘You like what you see in the mirror? I can see that your cock is now fully erect in your thobe. Like a tent pole but of course I have given you a meaty thick and long cock. You must have a lot of cum in these big balls of yours and need to get it out. As your Master you must know that I fuck you but seeing your cock straining in the thobe has made me feel very horny and I wish that time you fuck me. I want to feel that cock of yours entering my hairy big arse. But you will fuck me still wearing your thobe and I will also wear mine. We go in to the bathroom and you fuck me in front of the mirror. I want you to see and feel what it is like arab fucking arab in thobes. Then you know what it is like to be a real arab man who loves other hairy arab men. Come.’

He went into the bathroom and lifted his thobe up to his waist and dropped his underwear looking into the mirror.

‘This way I can cum watching you. Now let me see that big cock of yours.’

Khalid now did as he was told by his Master and lifted his thobe over his erect prick and with some difficulty pulled his underwear over the throbbing cock to let it spring up to attention.

His 10” tool was pulsating seeing his Master’s hairy arse and big wide cheeks covered in curly hair going all the way into his crack and to the opening.

‘Now my servant take your hands and push open my cheeks as you direct your cock to my hole. My hole is already moist waiting to take your dick. We arabs only have cut cocks and that way you see the helmet fully ready to take you. So start to push Slave let me take you, put your hands around my hairy waist and start to enter. Feel what it is like to fuck a proper man, your Master. Look at yourself in the mirror and see how you now are and be thankful to your Master for changing you. You white boys are fine occasionally but we like real masculine men. You are one now. Push your way in and go right up to the hilt. I want to feel every inch of you and feel your cock pushing hard inside me.. Come towards me and let me feel your long beard against my neck.’

‘Now look at you, an arab in a thobe fucking your arab master. You will not forget this evening. If you fuck well I will let it happen again but I always want you to see your reflection and know how lucky you are.

Khalid could feel the moisture inside the arse as he pressed his hairy arms around the waist of his Master. He was now fully in and was looking at himself in the mirror. This is what Ken wanted. He wanted to be Khalid. He wanted to be muscular, masculine and hairy.

‘Now start pushing in and out’ he was ordered.

He slowly brought his cock back almost to the opening and then rammed it in. he knew how to really fuck men. Seeing himself hairy in a thobe made him ram his tool in faster and faster, his breathing increasing as he stared at himself. His master said

‘You fuck well my brother, now let me get my hand around my own cock so I can cum with you. I want you to empty everything in your balls into my arse. So fuck hard.’

Khalid now forced himself in and out faster and faster while his Master let his hand rub quicker and quicker down his own thick shaft.

‘I might have to let you fuck me more often Slave, you are good.’

‘I’m almost ready to cum Master’

‘I too but look at your face as you cum. See an arab bursting his balls inside me in your thobe.’

Khalid knew he could hold off no longer and with a shout he exploded stream after stream into his Master arse as his Master shot his load all over the mirror. ‘See what good creamy arab cum looks like my friend.’

The two men cleaned themselves and let their thobes drop back down .

‘I come for you tomorrow morning Khalid. Be ready to come with me. This is a new beginning for you a new life, an arab life, that I know you want.’

‘Good night Master thank you for making me like you.’

[mattievictoria]

In Najran province of Saudi Arabia, carved in sandstone at the peak of a 200-meter hill facing east, is a petroglyph of a female figure. A petroglyph of a Mother Goddess that when lit by the rising sun, can be seen for miles on end. Over 4,000 miles north from Najran province, on Salisbury Plains in Wiltshire, England, one can find the world-famous Stonehenge— a circle of megaliths thought to be everything from an astronomical clock to a place of healing. Rocks and minerals are all around us, a part of common, everyday life and for time immemorial, our ancestors have prescribed them significant meaning. Since picking up rockhounding during the Pandemic as a way to get outside and still practice social distancing, I’ve become more and more interested in rock folklore which each excursion I take into some defunct mine or rock outcropping. As an artist and life-long folklore and mythology enthusiast, I’ve noticed that when it comes to nature lore, people are, in general, more interested in the lore surrounding things like trees and flowers. While I do love plant lore, the past year or so has seen me diving into the myths associated with rocks, mines and caves. I knew I needed a space to prattle on about my deep-dives, and thus the idea to write this little article was born!

First and foremost, I have to talk about the vittror (plural form of the singular vittra) a type of vættr, or nature spirit, found throughout Scandinavian folklore. I love the stories of the vættr, one of my favorite aspects of the stories being that the vittror can be found living in rocks and trees, and have the ability to harm humans who trespass into their domain. A vittersten is the name given to a boulder or rock formation that a vittra has claimed as their home. All vittror live along leylines called vittervägar, and it’s said that at the points where these leylines intersect, the veil is thinner. Supernatural happenings are more likely to occur in these spots, as well as accidents, illnesses and even death. A vittersten may lie at the intersection of one of these supernatural crossroads, and if you find yourself at such a dubious place, well… you’d best be careful. If you disturb a rock or a tree that a vittra calls home, you may find yourself with a newly-fabricated curse placed upon your person. If you find that you feel a sudden wave of nausea, a chill, or any kind of discomfort, it means you have disturbed a vittra. The best way to remedy this is to apologize to the vittra that you have offended, or leave offerings. There are stories of entire construction projects being re-routed or stopped altogether because the development of that area upset the particular vittra living there. So be careful, because you may find yourself on a hike with the need to relieve yourself behind a rock formation for some privacy… perhaps you are accidentally befouling the site a vittersten!

Another one of the more fascinating stones that have a particular folklore attached to them is the adder stone. The adder stone is a small rock with a naturally occurring hole bored completely through the center. Adder stones have a glassy quality and are usually flint, though in ancient times they were thought to be created from snake saliva, hence their name. Pliny the Elder wrote that adder stones were important to druids, and even until recent times, the adder stone has held a great importance in the British Isles. In England, they’re called Hag Stones, and in Scotland, Mare-Stanes, because it was said that whoever possessed one of these supernatural stones was immune to visits from the Mare or Hag, a vicious being that was said to sit on its victims’ chests while they sleep, causing them to have nightmares. In Scotland, Mare-Stanes were often kept near beds to prevent such night terrors, but they would also be kept on an individual’s person. They had other uses, too, such as being tied up in barns to ensure that a pregnant cow births her calf safely. One interesting story is that of a particular Mare-Stane with two human teeth affixed in the center hole of the stone, bequeathed to a villager of Marykirk, Scotland by an old woman who used the stone as a nightmare deterrent for some 70 years.

If we take a step back from the folklore surrounding individual rocks, and into the place where rocks are taken from the earth, you’ll find that mines of all varieties have a plethora of legend and lore associated with them. Being from California, I have heard many a tale of haunted mines and ghostly prospectors. I have visited the outskirts of the now decommissioned Emma Mine in Acton, California (about 50 miles north of Downtown Los Angeles) and have become intrigued by stories of old and forlorn mines. My interest especially piqued a few months ago when I read a passage from a 1959 article titled Tales of the Supernatural by J. H. Adamson for the Western Folklore journal. There was a passage about a mining site in Utah in particular that caught my eye:

“In another instance, a place was discovered to be demonic, not because of ghostly inhabitants, but rather because of a vein of ore possessed the strange property of drawing all the strength out of the bodies of those who approached it, leaving them weak, helpless and unable to stand.”

Something I discovered during my research I had no idea was a thing (for lack of a better word), was the amount of religious shrines built at mines, mostly to mother goddess and earth goddess figures. This concept of miners descending into the earth’s womb to retrieve precious materials as a highly spiritual and sacred practice makes a lot of sense in hindsight when I thought more about it. In fact, The Egyptian word bi not only translates to mineshaft, but to uterus as well. This was a practice wide-spread throughout the ancient world. At an archeological site known as Wadi el-Hudi in Southern Egypt, there is an amethyst mine that dates back all the way to the Middle Kingdom, over 5,000 years ago from today. Stelaes have been found at Wadi el-Hudi that describe a temple to Hathor that was erected at the ancient mine, where the goddess was evoked to watch over those mining, working, and traveling in the desert. The stela calls her The Lady Of Amethyst, with one inscription stating:

“Give Offerings! Give offerings to the mistress of heaven! Pacify Hathor! If you do this, it will be useful for you, if you give more it will be profitable among you.”

Even in the modern era, shrines have been erected at mining sites. One can find shrines to the Virgin Mary at mines across North America, South America, Europe and South Africa. As recently as the 1980s, a 90-foot statue of the Virgin Mary known as “Our Lady of the Rockies” was built on the Continental Divide 3,000 miles above the mining city of Butte, Montana.

I mentioned earlier in this article that as a Califonian, I’ve heard many ghostly mining stories throughout my life. While we have a plethora of stories, like that of old Joe Simpson and the ghost town of Skidoo, one of my favorite haunted mine stories actually comes from North Carolina. Gold Hill Mines, just outside of Charlotte, is associated with a slew of stories about haunted mines and ghostly prospectors. One of the more ghastly stories is that of an unfortunate miner who possessed some poor judgment— and dynamite— that blew himself up— whether on accident or on purpose, no one knows for certain. Local legend states that you can still hear the phantom explosion, and see otherworldly body parts violently disperse in the air, and then mysteriously disappear. I’m not sure if such a miner actually existed or if this is all local folklore, but it makes for a horrifying —and morbidly fantastic— ghost story.

I do, however, very much want to include a local story. This local story is about a cursed cave. I’m no geologist, but I think it’s safe to say that caves are rock-adjacent. The Cave of Munits is a popular hiking and rock climbing spot in the western San Fernando Valley here in Los Angeles county, but not many people know the legend associated with it. Located 86 miles from the stunning Chumash cave paintings near Santa Barbara, the legend surrounding the Cave of Munits is a tale that has both Chumash and Tongva origins. Munits was a sorcerer that kidnapped and killed the beloved son of a powerful chief. Munits stole the boy away to his cave, while the boy’s tribe stood below the cliff and demanded that the sorcerer return their chief’s son to him. Munits, however, cried “You want your boy back? Well, here he is!” And tossed the chief’s son out of the cave, limb by limb. The powerful chief ordered the death of the sorcerer Munits, sending a hawk to viscerally tear open Munits’ distended stomach as he lay sleeping after gorging himself full on clovers. It is said that the bile that flowed from Munits’ stomach is the origin of bitter clover.

While there are many storied tales and established legends about rocks, mines, and caves, there also exist many amazing stories that regular, everyday people have to tell— myself included. When I shared the bit of lore about the “demonic” ore vein in Utah online, many people shared their own strange rock stories, which prompted me to reconsider some of my own. I’ve had some strange experiences rockhounding, including a strange, deeply emotional experience while rockhounding out in the desert at a site called Gem Hill that is very difficult to put into words. I’ve also found a Mylar balloon at my aforementioned trip to Emma Mine. The Mylar balloon thing is… another story all of its own, but the tl;dr version is that Mylar balloons are frequently associated with the paranormal, especially cryptids, and the area surrounding Emma Mine has reports of everything from Bigfoot to Dogmen.

This article may be coming to an end, but my personal research is far from over. I feel like the folklore and mythology of rocks is often overlooked and forgotten— which is a shame, in so many ways. From prehistoric megaliths, to ancient mining shrines, to the modern day resurgence of adder stones, rock lore has been with us from the very beginning. I hope that in the very least, I’ve piqued your interest… and hopefully cause you to have more than just a passing thought about the next rock you pick up off the ground!

Sources

Adamson, J. H. “Tales of the supernatural.” Western Folklore, vol. 18, no. 2, Apr. 1959, pp. 81–82, https://doi.org/10.2307/1496463.

The Ancient Southwest | Angeline Duran. “The Cave of Munits.” THE ANCIENT SOUTHWEST, 5 Aug. 2020, theancientsouthwest.com/2020/08/03/the-cave-of-munits/.

Earl of Ducie. “Exhibition of three ‘Mare-stanes,’ or ‘hag-stones.’” The Journal of the Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, vol. 17, 1888, p. 134, https://doi.org/10.2307/2841595.

Espinel, Andrés D. “A newly identified stela from Wadi el-Hudi (Cairo JE 86119).” The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, vol. 91, no. 1, Dec. 2005, pp. 55–70, https://doi.org/10.1177/030751330509100104.

Goad, Mattie, and Eli Smith. “Conversations With Eli .” 6 Mar. 2019.

Jarvis, Robin. “The Old Mining Town in Gold Hill, North Carolina, Is Allegedly Haunted with Greedy Ghosts.” OnlyInYourState®, 13 Jan. 2018, www.onlyinyourstate.com/north-carolina/historic-gold-hill-nc/.

Johnson, John R. “The Indians of Mission San Fernando.” Southern California Quarterly, vol. 79, no. 3, Oct. 1997, pp. 249–290, https://doi.org/10.2307/41172612.

Judah, Hettie. Lapidarium: The Secret Lives of Stones. Penguin Books, an Imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, 2023.

Khan, Majeed. “The Rock Art of Saudi Arabia.” Bradshaw Foundation, Bradshaw Foundation, bradshawfoundation.com/middle_east/saudi_arabia_rock_art/index.php. Accessed 19 Aug. 2022.

Roud, Steve. The Penguin Guide to the Superstitions of Britain and Ireland. Penguin Books, 2006.

[taliatravels]

Back in Uganda again - 10 years later

Stepping off the plane in Entebbe, I was surprised how familiar everything still feels. The air smells the same, the accents tickle the ear the same way, the shops are brightly painted with the same paints. To be back somewhere after nearly ten years is such a blessing. I often find myself thinking about how much has changed since 2015--I now have a bachelor, a masters, and a new citizenship, I survived a global pandemic, I moved to Vienna (twice)--but I also marvel at how much is the same. Returning to Red Chilli, the same hotel where my Ugandan adventure began last time brought a special sort of nostalgia. 

But last time I was here, I missed out on touring Kampala. So this time, I was determined not to make the same mistake twice. I set off bright and early on a city tour of Uganda's capital. We started with a tour of the Old Taxi Park, where you can catch a ride to anywhere in Uganda--and some places even farther than that. Following the taxi park, we did a quick jaunt through the Okiwano Market, the biggest market in the city.

After, we made our way up Old Kampala Hill to the Gaddafi National Mosque. The mosque sits on top of the tallest hill in the city, where the British first built their colonial capital. The mosque was first begun by Idi Amin but was not completed before he was ousted in 1979. The mosque remained incomplete until 2002, when Gaddafi visited Kampala and pledged to finish the project. The mosque is built with wood from the Congo, carpets from Turkey, lamps from Egypt and art from Saudi Arabia. After the tour of the interior, we walked up the 292 steps (woof) of the minaret to see the best view of Kampala; from the top, you can see the city stadium, the first Anglican church and the first Catholic church in the city, and the Makerere University campus. 

Next, we traveled to Kabaka Palace, where the kings of Buganda Kingdom used to live. The palace was built in the late 1880s and housed three Bugandan kings before it was commandeered by Idi Amin's forces in the 70s. The palace armory then became the scene of torture and execution for thousands of innocent Ugandans. The guide told me to take a picture of the torture chamber, though I have not included it here, so that I could "remember the horrors of that time."

After perhaps the most depressing part of the tour, we went to lunch. For lunch, we stopped at a small local restaurant called Maama Barbarou, where we feasted on rice, brands, beef stew, yams and more to fortify us before our final stop.

Last, but not least, we visited the Martyr's Shrine, which was built at the site where the 32 first Christians in Uganda were killed for their faith in the late 1800s. The church is magnificent, built in a circular shape to resemble a traditional African home, the interior made of magnificent mahogany wood. On the 3rd of June every year, the area is overtaken by over one million pilgrims, many of whom walk from their homes in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzánia and Burundi. While I was visiting, the guide showed me the exact spot where the martyrs were burned alive, which is now where the church's alter sits. Outside, there is a large amphitheater, which was filled with pilgrims celebrating their faith.

Though the tour of Kampala was a little depressing, I am glad they I got to bettet understand the city and her people before heading to my next location.

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Dave Whamond :: @DaveWhamond

* * * *

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

January 28, 2024

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

JAN 29, 2024

Today—last night U.S. time—three military personnel were killed and 34 more wounded in a drone attack on the living quarters at a U.S. base in Jordan, near the Iraq-Syria border. U.S. troops are stationed there to enable them to cross into Syria to help fight the Islamic State. There have been almost-daily drone and missile strikes on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria since the October 7 attack on Israel by Iran-backed Hamas. The U.S. has blamed Iran-backed militant groups for the attack, and while no one has officially claimed responsibility yet, three officials from such groups have said an Iran-backed militia in Iraq is responsible. 

President Joe Biden today called the act “despicable and wholly unjust,” and he praised the servicemembers, who he said “embodied the very best of our nation: Unwavering in their bravery. Unflinching in their duty. Unbending in their commitment to our country—risking their own safety for the safety of their fellow Americans, and our allies and partners with whom we stand in the fight against terrorism.”

“And have no doubt,” he said, “we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner [of] our choosing.”

Republican war hawks have called for retaliation that includes “striking directly against Iranian targets and its leadership,” as Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) said, or by “Target[ing] Tehran,” as Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) said. Republicans are blaming Biden for failing to “isolate the regime in [Iran], defeat Hamas, & support our strategic partners,” as Representative Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) wrote on X, formerly Twitter, today. 

But there is, of course, a larger story here. The Biden administration has been very clear both about the right of nations to retaliate for attacks and about its determination to stop the war between Hamas and Israel from spreading. 

Iran would like that war to spread. It is eager to stop the normalization of relations between Arab states and Israel, and is backing Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen, and Hezbollah in Lebanon—all nonstate militias—to try to stop that normalization.  

They are trying to stop what Patrick Kingsley and Edward Wong outlined in the New York Times yesterday: a new deal in the Middle East that would end the war between Hamas and Israel and establish a Palestinian state. The constant round of phone calls and visits of Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken with at least ten different countries is designed to hammer out deals on a number of fronts. 

The first is for a cease-fire between Hamas and Israel, which would require the exchange of more than 100 Israeli hostages taken on October 7 for thousands of Palestinians held by the Israelis. The second is for a new, nonpartisan Palestinian Authority to take control of Gaza and the West Bank. The third is for international recognition of a Palestinian state, which would be eased by Saudi Arabia’s recognition of Israel. If that recognition occurs, Arab states have pledged significant funds to rebuild Gaza. 

Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has rejected this proposal, but his popularity is so low people are talking openly about who can replace him. Hamas and Iran also reject this proposal, which promises to isolate Iran and the militias from stable states in the Middle East.   

Behind this story is an even larger geopolitical story involving Iran’s ally Russia. As Democratic strategist Simon Rosenberg retorted when Senator Wicker called on Biden to respond to the attack that killed three Americans “swiftly and decisively for the whole world to see”: “Wasn’t funding Ukraine and Israel the first, critical step in deterring Iran? We are in this place now due to the Russian fifth columnists in the Republican Party including Trump who slavishly do Putin’s bidding.”  

Rosenberg was referring to the fact that Iran is allied with Russia, and Russia is desperate to stop the United States from supporting Ukraine. Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, apparently thought his February 2022 invasion of Ukraine would establish control of the eastern parts of that country in a matter of days. Instead, the invasion has turned into an expensive and destabilizing two-year war that has badly weakened Russia and that threatens to stretch on.

In the United States, today marks the 100th day that extremist Republicans have refused to provide supplemental funding for Ukraine or Israel arguing that funding to protect the U.S. border must be addressed first. On October 20, 2023, as David Frum pointed out today, Biden asked Congress for “$106 billion to aid Ukraine and Israel against attack by Russia, Iran, and their proxies.” That funding has bipartisan support, but “[f]or 100 days, House Republicans have said NO,” Frum said. “Today, Iranian proxies have killed Americans.”

Republicans’ insistence that they want border funding has proved to be a lie, as Democratic and Republican senators have hammered out a strong agreement that extremist Republicans now reject. Former president Trump has made it clear he wants to run on the idea that the border is overwhelmed, so has demanded his supporters prevent any solution. Today, on the Fox News Channel, when asked why Republicans should let Biden “take a victory lap” with a border deal, Senator James Lankford (R-OK), who has been part of the border deal negotiation team, responded with some heat: 

“Republicans four months ago would not give funding for Ukraine, for Israel, and for our southern border because we demanded changes in policy. So we actually locked arms together and said we’re not going to give you money for this, we want a change in law. And now it’s interesting, a few months later, when we’re finally getting to the end they’re like, ‘Oh, just kidding, I actually don’t want a change in law because [it’s] a presidential election year.’ We all have an oath to the Constitution, and we have a commitment to say we’re going to do whatever we can to be able to secure the border."

MAGA Republicans in charge of the Oklahoma Republican Party showed where Trump Republicans stand when they voted on Saturday to “strongly condemn” Lankford for “playing fast and loose with Democrats on our border policy.” They said “that until Senator Lankford ceases from these actions the Oklahoma Republican Party will cease all support for him.” 

In The Atlantic, Frum noted that “vital aid to Israel and Ukraine must be delayed and put in further doubt because of a rejected president’s spite and his party’s calculation of electoral advantage. The true outcome of the fiasco in Congress will be the collapse of U.S. credibility all over the world. American allies will seek protection from more trustworthy partners, and America itself will be isolated and weakened.”

Rosenberg wrote: “If you are unhappy with Iran today, first thing you should do is come out for funding Ukraine fully. Nothing will embolden Iran more than a Russian victory in Europe.”

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[coochiequeens]

maybe the ATP should have offered equal prizes fir men and women players before they tried to help Saudi Arabia "sportswash" it's image

Egyptian tennis pro Mayar Sherif does not pretend to be an expert on the subject of Saudi Arabia’s record on women’s rights, other than to say: “I know it’s not the best.”

What Sherif, who made her Wimbledon debut this week, did say is she thinks it’s possible positive steps can be made in that area if tennis follows the path of golf and other sports by doing business with — and competing in — the kingdom that boasts a $650 billion sovereign wealth fund.

“Women’s rights in the Arabic world need to improve. ... If you start changing this from the outside by bringing in tournaments, and start to create a different kind of atmosphere, that’s going to help,” Sherif said in an interview with The Associated Press at the All England Club.

“If you put women with skirts — and so on and so forth — on court, maybe one young girl from Saudi Arabia sees the matches there and says, ‘I want to play tennis. I want to be like those girls.’ And that’s a way to change a mindset.”

Sherif is not alone in hoping for that sort of transformative effect in a place where rights groups say women continue to face discrimination in most aspects of family life and homosexuality is a major taboo, as it is in most of the rest of the Middle East. Whether engagement will work, as International Tennis Hall of Famer and rights advocate Billie Jean King argues (“I don’t think you really change unless you engage,” she said last week), or this whole phenomenon is an example of “sportswashing,” whereby Saudi Arabia and other countries — think of Russia or China hosting the Olympics, or Qatar hosting the men's soccer World Cup — use fields of play to change their public image, what seems quite clear is that tennis is, indeed, going to be next.

The ATP is working to conclude a multi-year deal to put its Next Gen Finals — the end-of-season event held each November for the tour’s leading young players — in Saudi Arabia. WTA Chairman Steve Simon’s visit to the kingdom with some tour players in February, and his acknowledgement last week that his organization will “continue to have conversations” with the Saudis, make it sound as if the women’s tour is preparing to head there, too.It probably is not a coincidence that, days before Simon’s comments, his tour announced plans to increase payouts at tournaments so that women will make the same as men at more events in the coming years.

The common denominator in all of this?

“Money talks in our world right now,” said 2022 French Open semifinalist Daria Kasatkina, who came out as gay last year.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has enacted wide-ranging social reforms, including granting women the right to drive and largely dismantling male guardianship laws that had allowed husbands and male relatives to control many aspects of women’s lives. Men and women are still required to dress modestly, but the rules have been loosened and the once-feared religious police have been sidelined. Gender segregation in public places has also been eased, with men and women attending movie screenings, concerts and even raves — something unthinkable just a few years ago.

Still, same-sex relations are punishable by death or flogging, though prosecutions are rare. Authorities ban all forms of LGBTQ+ advocacy, even confiscating rainbow-colored toys and clothing.

Thanks at least in part to social media, women in Saudi Arabia, and elsewhere in the Arab world, are aware of the gap between their lives and those of women in less restrictive societies. But Saudi women who seek to carve out some freedom for themselves have been punished. Even as the government has enacted top-down reforms, it has severely cracked down on any form of political dissent, arresting women’s rights activists and other critics and sentencing them to long prison terms and travel bans, sometimes on the basis of a few tweets.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has worked to get himself out of international isolation since the 2018 killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. He also clearly wants to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy and reduce its reliance on oil. What is not clear is how much any particular sports deal might influence the kingdom’s approaches to women’s and LGBTQ+ rights.

“It would be wrong to not entertain the conversation. You can look at it from negative and positive ways — and I just don’t think things are black and white,” said Victoria Azarenka, a two-time Australian Open champion and a former No. 1-ranked woman in tennis. “We do need financial help to make those (prize money) changes quicker, hopefully. But also look at it from a standpoint of: How can we be helpful? Where can we go to create change?”

No one truly believes that was a part of the equation when the PGA Tour, European Tour and the PIF-backed LIV Golf announced a collaboration last month. Or when Formula One placed a race in Saudi Arabia in 2021. Or when the kingdom bought English soccer club Newcastle United that year.

There will be plenty of interested eyes and ears in tennis paying attention next week when the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations holds a hearing about the proposed collaboration between the PGA Tour, European Tour and the PIF-funded LIV Golf.

Tennis and golf share some key similarities, most notably: The athletes are independent contractors. There aren’t annual salaries in tennis the way there are in team sports such as the NFL, NBA, NHL or Major League Baseball.

“Was just a question of time when (the Saudis) were (going) to start some kind of negotiations or conversations in tennis to try to enter tennis,” said Novak Djokovic, who won his men’s-record 23rd Grand Slam title at the French Open last month and now is aiming for No. 24 at Wimbledon.

“We, as an individual sport on a global level, are probably closest to golf,” Djokovic said. “From that example, we can probably learn a lot — some positives, some negatives — and try to structure a deal, if it’s going in that direction, in a proper way that is going to protect the integrity and tradition and history of this sport, but still be able to grow it in such way that it will be appropriate.”

Copyright AP - Associated Press

[sonofjeddah]

Comic Verse: Saudi Arabia’s First Comic Book Store is a MUST Visit

(Read all the way to the end to watch the vlog and podcast episode with the store’s owner)

In the summer of 2022 came the news that the geek community of Saudi Arabia would be getting its first comic book store but with the prevailing mentality in the business community, people didn’t know what to expect 

The store started with an impressive opening, bringing all the major titles, imprints, and indies for the readers in the country. However, comic book stores are best experienced through in-person visits and that’s what happened to me

Two weeks ago I was invited to attend a collectors' gathering hosted at Comic Verse store in Riyadh. The organizers were kind enough to arrange for my trip. The gathering was on a Friday, and it brought together collectors mostly from Riyadh with only me being the exception (being a representative of Jeddah and someone who collected comics and vintage action figures) 

As soon as I entered, I realized that this place besides being a historical landmark (due to being the country’s first comics store) was also a haven for the community. Shelves were adorned with statues and posters but the biggest display belonged to the collected editions (hardcovers and paperbacks), weekly comics stacks, and boxes full of back issues. The collection wasn’t only DC and Marvel, the store has it all. Being a comic book reader myself and having visited stores in Orlando, San Francisco, London, and Dubai; this store has really outdone our expectations   

Obviously, I had to make a vlog about it but I also needed to know what inspired its owner to invest in such a niche venture, especially in a market that mostly prefers to invest in real estate, general contracting services, general retail, or e-commerce 

He was kind enough to sit down with me at his store and talk about his journey. What really impressed me about him was the fact that he was not driven by profits or sales but rather by the community’s needs when it came to comic book reading. Furthermore, if anyone would ask about a particular story or any arc or any collected edition, he would have it. And there were more, collectible action figures from DC Universe, Marvel Legends, Marvel Select, and Star Wars. What more could a geek want? 

Watch my Vlog

Watch the Superheroes of Arabia Podcast Episode with Sultan Saad (Owner of Comic Verse Store)

[socialbubbles]

Car Rentals in Saudi Arabia: Explore with Tahan Al Sahni

When traveling to the beautiful and expansive landscapes of Saudi Arabia, having a reliable mode of transportation is essential. Whether you're in Riyadh or exploring other regions, renting a car in Saudi Arabia is the best way to enjoy a comfortable and flexible journey. At Tahan Al Sahni, we pride ourselves on providing affordable and hassle-free car rental in Saudi Arabia to meet all your travel needs.

Why Rent a Car in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia offers a mix of modern cities, historic landmarks, and natural wonders. To truly experience its vast beauty, relying on public transport may not always be convenient. Opting for car rental in Riyadh or other major cities ensures you can explore at your own pace, whether it’s visiting the futuristic city of Neom, the heritage-rich Diriyah, or the majestic deserts.

Benefits of Renting a Car in Riyadh or Across Saudi Arabia

Flexibility: With a rent a car in Saudi Arabia option, you can plan your itinerary without being tied to public transport schedules.

Comfort: Enjoy modern and well-maintained vehicles that make your journey smooth and enjoyable.

Affordability: Our services at Tahan Al Sahni are designed to provide affordable car rental in Saudi Arabia, ensuring you get the best value for your money.

Variety of Options: From economy cars for solo travelers to spacious SUVs for families, we have a range of vehicles for every need.

Affordable Car Rental in Saudi Arabia

At Tahan Al Sahni, we believe in offering transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Whether you’re a resident looking for a long-term rental or a tourist searching for short-term options, our affordable car rental in Saudi Arabia ensures you find the perfect vehicle within your budget.

Popular Car Rental Destinations in Saudi Arabia:

Car Rental in Riyadh: Riyadh is the heart of Saudi Arabia, with bustling markets, historic sites, and modern skyscrapers. Renting a car here allows you to explore iconic places like the Kingdom Centre Tower and Al Masmak Fortress.

Rent a Vehicle in Jeddah: Perfect for beach lovers and food enthusiasts, Jeddah offers a mix of modern and traditional Saudi culture.

Car Rental Across the Kingdom: From Dammam to Al Khobar, our services are available across all major cities.

Tips for Renting a Car in Saudi Arabia

Choose the Right Vehicle: Depending on your itinerary, select a vehicle that suits your needs. For city tours, compact cars work well, while desert excursions may require SUVs.

Check the Requirements: Ensure you have a valid driving license, identification, and any necessary travel documents.

Book in Advance: To secure the best deals, book your car rental in Saudi Arabia early.

Why Choose Tahan Al Sahni for Car Rentals?

Reliable Service: With years of experience, Tahan Al Sahni is a trusted name in the car rental Saudi Arabia industry.

Wide Network: Whether you’re in Riyadh or other regions, we’re here to provide seamless services.

Customer Support: Our dedicated team is available to assist you at every step, ensuring a hassle-free rent a vehicle in Saudi Arabia experience.

Final Thoughts

Exploring Saudi Arabia becomes a memorable experience when you have the freedom and convenience of your own vehicle. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, Tahan Al Sahni offers unmatched affordable car rental in Saudi Arabia options to cater to your travel needs. Start your journey today by choosing us for car rental in Riyadh, Jeddah, or any part of the kingdom.

[axontecs]

What Sets the Best CCTV Installation Company in Saudi Arabia Apart from Competitors?

In today’s world of business, it has become important that your property and your belongings are secured most of the time. To any Saudi based business, the search for a CCTV installation company is not merely a case of going for the cheapest option; it’s more about value, efficiency and durability. However, there are questions that come into our mind; what should actually make the best CCTV installation company in Saudi Arabia be outstanding from the rest? But let us go to the identification of the characteristics that would define the competencies of the players in this field.

1. Comprehensive Expertise in CCTV Technology

The best CCTV installation companies are knowledgeable concerning any prevailing security innovations. They are not only in the business of fixing cameras; they deploy solutions based on definite requirements. From upgraded Internet Protocol (IP) cameras and thermal imagers to artificial intelligence integrated surveillance with facial and motion detection, you know that only the best is being offered.

Why It Matters:

The security needs of businesses in Saudi Arabia can vary hence why the market demands special security surveillance solutions. No matter if it is a retail store, an office building, or an industrial building, having a company with full solutions brings the maximum security result.

2. Custom-Tailored Security Solutions

In security, we cannot fit all the suites into a single mold. The best CCTV installation companies are those that are able to design and install security systems that meet the client's circumstance, vulnerability, and working condition. They can visit the scene of the crime to look at factors of weakness and suggest the best places to mount cameras.

Example:

The company that owns the logistics may require cameras at loading bays and the entrance to the warehouses differently from a retail business might require cameras in customer zones to prevent theft. First-tier providers pay particular attention to the fact that every camera must have a tactical function.

3. Exceptional Customer Support

Customer support can be very teasing and is a make or mar factor in any CCTV they provide to the clients. The most recommended CCTV installation firm in Saudi Arabia values clients by ensuring they receive professional, responsive, and informative support at the purchase decision-making stage, during installation, and after installation.

Key Features of Great Customer Service:

Consultation Services: DEFINITE information as to the right systems for its requirements.

Responsive Support: Fast replies to questions or concerns that any subscriber might have or troubles that they may encounter.

Ongoing Maintenance: Periodic probes on the system to keep it at its best always.

4. Proven Track Record and Credibility

Listed below are key attributes which define the best CCTV installation companies, We have also provided samples of successful companies from various countries. They may have benefited multinational corporations, small firms, or government offices; all this shows how reliable they are.

Indicators of Credibility:

Certifications: Possessing the industry standard and certification including ISO or domestic acceptance.

Client Testimonials: Feasible strategies such as happy or positive feedback of customers.

Long-Standing Presence: Cumulative years of experience of the companies and separate branches in Saudi Arabia in the security industry.

5. Advanced Integration Capabilities

The security that we have today is not only the cameras, but also the concept of a security system in general. Industry players have developed packages with possibilities to install CCTV together with other features namely; access control, alarm systems, and remote monitoring among others.

Benefits of Integration:

Centralized Management: Integrates all security systems under one roof.

Enhanced Efficiency: Notifications of such actions as login from unusual locations, or multiple login attempts.

Cost Savings: Low redundancy and better resources mobilization.

6. Transparent Pricing and Value for Money

Pricing transparency means that you as the consumer understand the full cost of the product you are receiving. It was found out that the Saudi Arabian business organizations aim at delivering value for money through delivering value for price through quality products and services.

What to Look For:

Detailed Proposals: Good distinctions of installation charges, tools, and exercise charges.

No Hidden Charges: Be nerve-free with our fixed, transparent prices.

Warranty Offers: Guarantee of quality through offering of warranties for both products and services.

7. Robust After-Sales Services

Usually customers and businesses pay little attention to after-sales service although it will go a long way in determining which CCTV installation company in Saudi Arabia is the best. These companies are fully aware of the fact that a security system requires constant attention and investment is as good as implementation.

Services to Expect:

Regular Maintenance: Periodical maintenance to avoid having break downs.

Upgrades and Updates: The problem of ensuring your system is compatible with a dynamic and growing one.

24/7 Technical Support: Support whenever you are in a fix.

8. Emphasis on Training and Knowledge Transfer

A good CCTV installation company makes sure that its clients are in a position to operate their systems. They have the knowledge of how to train your team well in the use of the cams, how to draw footage from the cams as well as how to handle alarms.

Training Benefits:

Empowered Staff: By the same token, employees are capable of managing routine security concerns on their own.

Minimized Downtime: The ability to dispose of small scale system problems within the shortest time possible.

Better ROI: Increased use of your investment on the Closed Circuit Televisions.

9. Commitment to Compliance with Saudi Laws

Any security installation that is to be implemented within Saudi Arabian territory has to conform to the Saudi Arabian laws and regulations. The best companies do continue to update themselves on these laws and therefore your system must be in order to avoid breaching the law.

Compliance Areas:

Privacy Regulations: Guaranteeing that cameras do not violate the public or private life rights.

Technical Standards: Installation and equipment standards peculiar to Saudi Arabia.

Documentation: Documentation for requirements involving installations particular in government or secure regions.

10. Sustainability and Future-Readiness

Security solutions are no exception to this tenet and future-proofing is now an important consideration in system design. Large players provide options making your Lighting business more energy efficient and the systems that they provide are expandable.

What This Means:

Eco-Friendly Technology: Low power cameras and systems have low energy ratings thus affordable to use.

Scalability: Scalability, that is, the ability to add new cameras or features without having recourse to the core system design.

AI and Cloud Integration: Design adaptive systems capable of performing enhanced analysis and having a remote surveillance feature.

Conclusion

Selecting the best CCTV installation company in Saudi Arabia means going for more than the price range. It is about investing in a provider that seeks to bring competency, stability and future returns into the process. As these companies will offer custom tailored solutions, great service and Saudi regulation adherence, your business will be safe and shielded in an increasingly volatile world.

Every time you opt for a reputable CCTV company, you are not merely putting up cameras, but guaranteeing the safety of your home or establishment for many years.

[saudievisa]

Saudi Arabia Visa Apply Online: Everything You Need to Know for a Smooth Application

In the last few years, Saudi Arabia has turned into one of the most visited countries for vacationers, business travelers, and religious travelers. With its all-inclusive cultural heritage sites, bustling cities, and dramatic landscapes, it's no wonder people want to visit this Middle East country. To make it more convenient to travel, Saudi Arabia made the process of applying for visas much easier, so most can apply online instead of going in person to a consulate. In this tutorial, we take an initiative to take you through the procedures for applying for an online Saudi Arabia visa apply online, eligibility conditions, and other critical tips that will make the application process smooth and successful.

Types of Available Saudi Arabia Visa apply  Online

Just like starting with an online application process, the need for some differentiation of available Saudi Arabia visas is essential because different types of visas are structured for various purposes, like tourism, business, and religious pilgrimages. The major types of Saudi 

Arabia visas that you can apply for online are listed as follows:

Tourist Visa: , which allows tourists to explore Saudi Arabia's ruins, glorious deserts, and developed cities.

Business Visa: is for business-minded people going for business meetings, conferences, or trades in Saudi Arabia.

Umrah Visa: , which is issued for all Muslims where they can visit the holy cities of Mecca and Medina to perform the minor pilgrimage.

Family Visit Visa: That kind of visa is available for one who comes just to visit family residing in Saudi Arabia

For most tourists, it will be the tourist e-visa but just check which visa works best for your needs as some have more requirements than others.

Eligibility Criteria to Saudi Arabia Visa apply  Online

You must qualify in the eligibility criteria while applying for your apply saudi visa online in Saudi Arabia since the requirements differ depending on each type of visa. Here are some basic requirements below:

Valid Passport: It should be valid for six months from the entry date.

Photograph: You will need a recent photo that should be passport-sized. The stipulated standard must be met according to the requirements stated on the visa application platform.

Proof of Means: In most cases, applicants must prove that they have sufficient money in their account to cater to their day-to-day need during the visit.

Purpose for Visit: Therefore, you need to have a genuine reason for visiting, which must fit into the type of visa you are applying for.

Medical Cover: Most travelers are liable to be covered by medical insurance in practice within Saudi Arabia.

Steps to Saudi Arabia Visa apply  Online

Now that you know the different types of visas and what a person is qualified to apply for, it is time to discuss the application. Use the steps to saudi arabia visa apply online below to help bring your journey to a successful landing.

Step 1: Saudi Arabia Official eVisa Portal

To get access to information about what visa types you are eligible for, as well as to apply online, start by visiting the official Saudi Arabia eVisa portal. Avoid filing applications in other places and rely only on the official website to steer clear of site scams and extra service fees.

Step 2:  Account Creation

Once you get to the eVisa portal, you will be needed to sign up if it's your first time visiting it. You need to provide your email and create a powerful password, after which you receive an email to verify your account through its confirmation link.

Step 3: Filling the Online Application Form

You will find yourself on the online application form once you have logged in to your account. You will thus fill in your personal information, among other details:

Full name as appearing in your passport

Details about your passport (number, date of issue, and date of expiration)

Date of birth

Nationality

Purpose of visit (tourism, business, or Umrah)

Ensure all the information you provide is accurate to avoid delays or refusal of the application.

Step 4: Upload Documents

You will then be required to upload necessary documents, such as a scanned copy of your passport's bio-page and recent passport-sized photograph. Make sure you use the guidelines from the platform you are using to upload a high-quality image that fits standards.

Step5: Pay the Visa Free

Having completed the application and uploaded supporting documents, it is time to pay the visa fee. The international applicant can pay via major credit or debit cards through the eVisa portal. Visa fees are mostly non-refundable, and thus, you should ensure that you have all your information clearly before you send in your visa payment.

Step 6: Waiting period before approval

The application and the fee will be forwarded for review by Saudi authorities. Said processes may take time, but an online application usually takes 24 to 72 hours. An email will inform you upon successful approval of your visa application. A copy of the eVisa shall be forwarded.

Step 7: Print and Carry eVisa

Once your eVisa is approved, download a copy or print out one to show when you arrive in Saudi Arabia. Of course, plenty of travelers only download this as it will be on their smartphone, but it's highly recommended that you print a copy in case any problems crop up with the immigration counter.

Saudi Arabia 90 Days Multiple Entry Visa Process

Open the Saudi Arabia Visa apply online Application

Choose your citizenship and country of residence. 

Select your preferred visa type, like Saudi 90 Days Multiple Entry Visa.

Complete the application form and fill in all the details carefully. 

Upload the required documents.

Make the visa payment.

Receive your Saudi Visa in 2-3 Working Days via Email or WhatsApp. You can track your Saudi Visa Status here. 

Once approved, the visa details are sent to the airline you've booked your flight with. The airline then verifies your visa and, if everything is in order, updates your booking with an "OK to Board" status. 

Saudi Arabia Visa apply online Fees

Depending on whether one goes for the regular or express service, adding other services to the Saudi Arabia visa apply online cost for 90 days will incur fees. The fees are structured, and all other services affect the cost positively as they are designed for quick approval. 

Conclusion

Online application for a Saudi Arabia visa apply online has made it easy for travelers from around the world to enter this very exciting country. Knowing that you have followed it up with credible information, online guide, increases the chances of a successful visa application regardless of business or tourism purposes or pilgrimage travel.

[maxtaylor5803]

From Oil Fields to Sports Fields: Saudi Arabia’s Power Over the Sporting World.

By Max Taylor

In the past five years, Saudi Arabia has become a major player on the global sports stage, going beyond it's traditions to embrace a new era of competition.  From hosting high profile events across the country such as Formula 1 races and international golf tournaments to investing heavily in the Saudi Pro League with household names such as Cristiano Ronaldo, the kingdom is redefining it's identity through sport. The country is set to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup making it the second time in 12 years the tournament has been held in the Middle East and makes the country one of the new homes for sport in the world.  

(The Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been investing in different sports in Saudi Arabia and also internationally) Credit: Joe Pompliano

The transformation not only reflects a strategic vison for the economy but also a massive cultural shift as the nation seeks to connect with a more broad and diverse audience across the world. Saudi Arabia is also gradually embracing a more westernized approach becoming more acceptant with different lifestyles and cultures to further their ambitions as a leading nation in sport.

Saudi Arabia located in the middle east has significant Islamic history as the birthplace of the religion. Saudi Arabia today still remains the central hub for Islam housing the two holiest cites for Muslims, Mecca and Medina. Saudi Arabia is also the world’s biggest oil exporter making them as country extortionary amounts of money.  

With Major events like Riyadh Season they have quickly become a celebration of culture and entertainment showcasing different events that highlight the country’s transformation. Over the past year the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh has started to get some of the best fights and events in combat sports history due to Riyadh Season and the backing of the Saudi government. The events have significantly boosted brand visibility and engagement, leading to lucrative partnerships as companies capitalize on the heightened interest in entertainment and tourism.

The events also offer Saudi Arabia to promote their own culture as the events attract international visitors and gives them an understanding of their culture. 

As Saudi Arabia continues to invest and develop its sports culture, boxing and other combat sports such as MMA and pro wrestling have emerged as a massive sport that take place at Riyadh Season attracting both international and local interest.

(Over a million people have visited Riyadh Season since its birth and has now become a massive part of the sporting world)

From the first big fight in 2018 when Antony Joshua fought Andy Ruiz Jnr to now you have seen impressive growth and stability thanks to Riyadh Season and the impressive cards it keeps producing. It almost seems as if everyone should be happy with what Saudi Arabia is doing for the country but is that the case?

Sports Washing and Soft Power

Saudi Arabia has come under huge criticism for its human rights record, with restrictions on freedom of speech or expression, gender inequality and extremely harsh punishments for dissent. Despite the ongoing international scrutiny, the Saudi government has implemented limited reforms while continuing to suppress political opposition and impose restrictions on civil liberties.

Human Rights advocates have argued that the lack of progress on the situation highlights a systemic disregard for individual freedom and is being overshadowed by the country’s alliances and economic interests.

The situation very much complicates international effects to promote human rights as many nations have economic ties and security partnerships to Saudi Arabia. There are also accusations of Hypocrisy towards foreign policy due to this.

As a result, many have called for a more robust and principled approach to engagement with Saudi Arabia urging governments to prioritize human rights in trade deals and agreements to try and foster a meaningful change in the kingdom.  

The kingdoms’ aggressive push for visibility on the global stage has raised massive concerns about sports washing, a tactic that’s been employed to improve the counties image whilst overshadowing its human rights issues. By investing in international sports such as Boxing, MMA and WWE to acquiring a stake in football club Newcastle United, Saudi Arabia aims to reshape its worldwide reputation and exert soft power, effectively diverting the attention away from their domestic problems.   

In a recent article posted on the guardian by Ruth Michaelson, it states that Saudi Arabia has spent £4.9bn in sports deals since early 2021 which was more than quadruple the amount spent over a 6-year period. 

Read the article Here

Other events have also attracted attention for sports washing and the Saudi Government exerting soft power and influence on the world.

Riyadh Season has expanded its brand internationally, highlighted by a major British title fight at Wembley Stadium where Antony Joshua faced Daniel Dubois earlier this year. Faced with major backlash from British press and British boxing fan alike the Saudi Arabia national anthem was sung before the main event.

Also, there was some backlash over the fact the people were handing out free programmes promoting Saudi Arabia and Riyadh Season. These Programmes contained Saudi tourism and Events and people didn’t feel it was right to be constantly handed and fed Saudi information.

Lucas Accardo who attended the event at Wembley Stadium said “You were constantly handed Saudi Propaganda when walking down Wembley way, Outside the Stadium and also inside”. “You could see people been forced to take it and then throwing it in the bin Which makes the whole process pointless though I don’t care about as we had a mega fight thanks to Saudi Arabia”. 

(Accardo was in attendance at Wembley Stadium for the stacked Riyadh Season card) Credit: Lucas Accardo.

“Riyadh Season has totality reinvented boxing as we know it, we are now getting the best and biggest fights in the world and its all down to them”. “In the past year we have seen Tyson Fury vs Usyk a title unification match and a match that we wouldn’t have expected if it wasn’t for Riyadh season’  

He further added “the money that Riyadh season and the Saudi government are offering is definitely a factor in why we are getting the best fights now but let it carry on as I feel entertained and excited about what else is to come”

Accardo also commented on the fact the Saudi national anthem was played inside Wembley Stadium stating “If that’s what it takes to get the bests fights to happen in England I’m completely fine with it”.

This comes after comments made by Matchroom Chairmen Eddie Hearn commenting on the decision. Hearn commented after the backlash defending the Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority and the chairman Turki Alalshikh who’s an advisor in the country’s royal court.

When Speaking about Turki he said he was more than entitled to have the anthem played as a ‘sign of respect’. ‘He’s given British boxing, all the fighters, all the fans, the best night, he’s paid for it all.  

WWE is another company to commit a long-term partnership with Saudi Arabia hosting major Pay Per Views across the kingdom and showcasing its biggest stars in their stadiums. While featuring high profile matches with iconic wrestlers that the kingdom, WWE expand its global reach, showing cultural exchange and providing fans in the region with a quality live experience.

Over this last weekend WWE hosted a premium live event in the Kingdom known as Crown Jewel. This thrilling event saw all of WWE major talent fight in the country including Roman Reigns and WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by WWE (@wwe)

(Cody Rhodes won his champion vs champion match against Gunther in Saudi Arabia Last Weekend).

There was also Women Fighting on the card showing Saudi Arabia progressing as previously women have been unable to fight on the card. Also, there were chants of WrestleMania (The Biggest WWE event) being screamed when Director Triple H was on stage leading to speculation that the event could take place in the Kingdom soon.  

WWE host Crown Jewel every year in Saudi Arabia that has become a massive feature on the Wresting Calendar in recent years but it didn’t start that way. The show which first took place in 2018 faced a number of challenges that nearly killed off its reputation. From Saudi officials asking for dead wrestlers to appear at the show tied with the controversy surrounding the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the show faced serious backlash.

The 2019 Broadcast of the show was abruptly cut after WWE and Saudi Arabia faced money disputes. After the Show WWE planes faced alleged ‘mechanical issues’ which meant they were unable to make it to the planned Smackdown Live show the following night but many on the scene reported that the planes were grounded by the Saudi government on purpose.  

(The crown Prince pictured with ex WWE chairman Vince Mcmahon (Left) and WWE Chief Content Creator Triple H (Right) with the WWE Championship) Credit: Forbes.

In an article written by Fightful, a unnamed wrestler known as CW-2 due to lawsuits told them about how he and other wrestling legends such as Hulk Hogan and Rick Flair were told ‘Someone doesn’t want us to leave the country’ as they were left stranded on a place. He also went to add that that there was a ‘ton of guards blocking the exit’.

You can read the Fightful article Here

The Seriousness of this incident shows The Kingdoms power over companies and the damaging effect it can have on future shows as WWE had no one to wrestle for them the following night and had to use developmental talent to carry the SmackDown Live show the next night.

But, WWE have reignited their partnership with Saudi Arabia and now proceed to to make outstanding showcases in the kingdom gaining praise from fans internationally.

But as WWE in Saudi Arabia captures global attention, the excitement surrounding the Saudi Pro League is also gaining momentum, showcasing the country’s growing influence in sports.

Will the Pro League Rival the Prem?

The Saudi Pro League (Saudi top-flight football division) is experiencing a massive surge in investment, with billions of pounds being put into their football teams to attract some of the best names in the football enhancing the leagues infrastructure.

The league is committed to acquiring high profile players and coaches whilst the financial status of the country aims to promote Saudi Arabia as a significant player in world football. Over the past year greats of the game such as Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo have moved to the kingdom to play the game that they love and are receiving massive wage rises in their contracts even though they are both over the age of 30.

With a major financial backing and growing number of international stars, the Saudi Pro League could be poised to challenge the dominance of the Premier League and potentially transforming the global football landscape in the future.

Despite the lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia, Many Footballers still aspire to play in Europe, driven by the prestige of the big leagues and the chance to showcase their talent on the biggest stage in the UEFA Champions league. This desire often stems from the competitive environment and rich history the competition has to offer.

However, the Saudi Pro League is rapidly growing and now gives good reasons why players may consider it seriously.

(Players like Ronaldo get millions of pounds for posting on social media Look below).

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano)

In an article by Rayhan Uddin for Middle eastern Eye, they discussed footballers making the move to Saudi. In this article, they presented a quote from Journalist Mostafa Mohamed.

Read Here.

‘For some Muslim players Approaching the twilight of their careers, the opportunity to experience and live in a Muslim nation is an attraction’   

This article came after the ballon d’or winner at the time and also someone who practices Islam Karim Benzema moved to Pro League when he signed for Al-Ittihad and promotes the nation saying he’s planning to learn Arabic.

But will the Saudi Pro League ever rival the Premier League? The answer is yes potentially considering the amount of money being invested into the league and the fact that teams in the Pro League are gaining worldwide recantation due to the stars the teams have.

What’s the next steps for the Kingdom?

The 2034 world cup is set to take place in the kingdom allegedly beating Australia to host the biggest competition in the world. With Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and also rules about relationships with people from the same sex, drinking alcohol and also freedom of speech, the question should be how have they got it and should they host it?

But like the previous World Cups in Qatar who have similar human rights issues and Russia who are now currently at war with neighboring country Ukraine, FIFA haven’t had an issue with hosting in countries with human rights issues and have produced great tournaments. Well known pundits such as Gary Neville feel that we should address the issues in the counties.

Riyadh Season will again be hosting the 2nd bout between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk on the 21st December, a fight that unified all the world titles earlier this year.  

Info on times and where to buy it Here.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tyson Fury (@tysonfury)

Saudi Arabia’s strategic investments in sport enables the nation to change its public perception and its global image. By hosting major events with some of the best athletes in the world, the kingdom does look to be using its soft power to influence and showcase their views and traditions. But by doing this they are limiting the audiences that can attend.

They might’ve won the hearts of mind of their nation but there’s still a long way to go if they want to win over the entire world.