My Most Memorable/Unfortunate Incident in Life !!!!!!!!!

Hi my dear friends and warm greetings to everyone. It’s been months I have been idle and not posted anything in my blog and I was waiting for someday to write this up and I got some time yesterday to start with and here it goes. My most memorable incident in my life. Everyone will have their own. But just read mine which is something different which u could have seen in movies. No hype. Okie as all know and for the fresh chaps, my name is JS and I work for Voltas Limited IOBG (Indian MNC) in Doha-Qatar for past 3 years right after my college. Coming to the topic, right from my childhood through school, college and corporate life I have encountered this question several times. But I was not able to think immediately of any good / bad unforgettable incident in my life. Because most were my pleasant ones and indeed there were many. But after December 13, 2009 I had/have an answer which was/is a deterrent example to many who enter, survive and live here in middle-east. Let me stop the intro and narrate what exactly happened.

I returned back from my one month enjoyable vacation on December 1^st week. In last minute hurry-burry, my relative chipped in a parcel with me to send it to Dubai-UAE from Doha. I was unaware of the stuff, the package has got within. She executed it thru’ me, as it takes minimum 20 days if she sends it from India to Dubai. So to cut short, she told me to send it from Doha as it reaches within 4-5 days reducing quite good count of days.

After arriving here, I mailed to Dubai thru’ Q-post and forgot the same. After 2 days (i.e.) on 13^th December, 2009, I got a call from Qatar Customs Authority and was told that my parcel was not sent and kept on hold. Actually they called me for a formal enquiry. To note here, during that period I was working on a US Air-Base project at Al-Udeid, one of the prestigious projects for Voltas in Doha-Qatar. For security reasons, we have to submit our Qatar ID card (so called Pathaka) at the entrance with US Army. Knowing that I was going to customs and will return back, the security didn’t return the ID card back and I went along without my pathaka.

Once I reached customs office, they opened the parcel in front of me and they found “Taaveez” inside. It’s also called Tabiz, Thayath or kavacha. Most of the people in India know about it. Let me explain to those who don’t know about it. Taaveez is a hollow cylinder with different stuff inside like verses from some holy book or some object that is believed to protect from evil eyes. The so-called belief put my life on stake that day.

On ascertaining the same, the custom officers discussed among themselves in Arabic language. I was so lucky (!!!!) that I doesn’t know to speak or understand Arabic. Then they asked me the Qatar ID which I was not carrying with. They looked at me fiercely and started to ask questions in Arabic. I was just left amused. After almost 30 minutes, they came up with 3-4 papers written completely in Arabic for my signature and I was literally forced to sign it without knowing the content. Then around 11 AM, they nobbled and switched off my mobile and took me to Airport Police station and asked me to wait. At that moment, I thought they got me hold back, as I was not carrying my Qatar ID.

Time passed and I was left hungry until 3 PM. The officer-in-charge gave me my mobile and asked me not to switch-on. But as I thought if I call someone at office, they may bring the ID card, I brought my phone back to life. Thank GOD, luckily my phone was amply charged and I contacted my office and asked them to send me the ID card with the driver. Then I was just waiting for my driver’s arrival thinking that everything will be over soon, unaware of the proceedings over there.

Around 3:30 PM, 3-4 Qatar ISF Police (Internal Security Force) came and manacled me hyping situation black and white. I was taken along with 3-4 cops thru’ the airport arrival terminal with hand-cuffs to the police car. From there they drove me to Capital security Department and I was put up in a prison cell. Immediately I contacted our head-office and explained my situation. By that time our company PRO (Public Relation officer) was carrying my Qatar ID to Airport, wherein I called him and diverted him to capital security dept.

After 20-25 minutes, they took me again to Messaimer Police station which is around 15 Kms from the main city and was put behind bars. Until now I just believed that, all these are happening because I was not carrying my Qatar ID. Around 6 PM, my PRO reached there and submitted my Qatar ID. But the police officials were not ready to release me. My PRO conversed in Arabic with them and finally told me that, I have been arrested for carrying that “taveez” and this is my personal issue and company can’t help it out. In middle-east, particularly Saudi Arabia and Qatar were strict in following the religious principles. Belief in “GOD is one and there are no channels to reach him, only our prayers can reach him”. Being a Muslim I know all these, however they were not ready to believe me whatever I say, probably they didn’t understand English. And I was shocked when my PRO told me that the custom officials have reported me as a “magic man”. At that moment, I understood the heat of the situation and things have gone worse than I expected. My PRO told me that they will put me behind bars for 1 or 2 months and they will deport me back to India.

Realizing my situation, I called my uncle who was residing with his family in Qatar and explained him the whole story in detail and asked him if he can help me out. The cell which I was locked up was fully air-conditioned with required lighting with attached bathroom. It had a small ventilation hole at the top and the door was shielded with steel plate. I can’t control my tears and was visualizing the aftermath. My uncle came with his friends and a imam who knows Arabic at around 9 PM. They can’t do anything as the police has already filed a country crime offence against me and asked them to meet me at Public Prosecution (Court) the next day.

I was left aloft and was just praying to God to help me out who was my only hope. At around 12 AM midnight, they took me out and luckily I got one cop who understands a bit English. I explained him that I was unaware of the stuff inside and added that If I had known it earlier, I wouldn’t have taken along with me. He converted my words into Arabic sentences with his little bit English knowledge. Until that time they didn’t provide me anything to eat or drink. And was denied to drink water also. That night went like hell.

Next day early morning, I was again asked for signatures which left me totally discombobulated. I was left both physically and mentally debile. Around 7:30 AM I got a cake to eat. Then by 8 AM, I was again hand-cuffed and taken to Public Prosecution. We reached there around 8:30 AM and was again put up behind bars over there until 11 AM. Then I was ready to be taken in front of Judge. Just before that, I saw my uncle with his friends who hold higher positions in Qatar government.

Right from the point where it started from customs office and till court, no-one knew English and I understood the importance of local country language. Goodness, the Judge also doesn’t know English and I requested for a translator. They were told that am a “Mohandis” (engineer) and I told the judge what happened actually. Translator did his job perfectly it seems. After around 20 minutes, judge told something in Arabic. Later I got translated it as, that was the last excuse being given to me and if I get caught in some other issues within the country, I will deported immediately.

Then around 2 PM, they took me back to police station for legal procedures and was put up in cell until 4:30 PM. I could see them conversing angrily and starring at me with anger. They were not happy with my release. Around 5 PM, I signed on all papers whatever and wherever they shown. The cop told me “Good Luck” like the villain in “Taken” movie and was finally released completely.

I was just thinking about the incident for so many days which I couldn’t forget and however recovered with help of my friends. My family was informed that night and everyone in my family was left disturbed for next one week. I thought to share this with all, as each and everyone will be visiting new places and countries as they wish, despite not aware of the local rules and regulations ending up in strange incidents which happened to me.

Cheers guys. Do share if you have got some different, strange, good or bitter experiences like this in your life.

Will be back soon with some interesting stuff.