Saudis have been Abandoning their Kids Abroad, Now the Children want Answers | Foreign Correspondent

Summary

This compelling documentary follows the emotional journeys of individuals seeking their Saudi fathers, who abandoned them while studying abroad decades ago. Filmmakers Brietta Hague and Essam Al-Ghalib delve into the lives of children left behind, including Jared Morrison, whose quest to reconnect with his father takes him to Saudi Arabia. Through powerful personal stories, including that of Mandre Chang, who searches for her Saudi ex-partner, the film explores the cultural, societal, and emotional struggles faced by these individuals. As Saudi Arabia opens up to the world, the documentary raises questions about family, identity, and the consequences of abandonment.

Takeaways

• 😀 Many Saudi men have traveled abroad for university, where some have formed relationships with foreign women and abandoned them when the women became pregnant, leaving behind children who are now searching for their fathers.
• 😀 Brietta Hague, an Australian filmmaker, and Saudi journalist Essam Al-Ghalib have been investigating the stories of Saudi children abandoned abroad by their fathers.
• 😀 Jared Morrison, an American man, embarks on a journey to reconnect with his Saudi father, who left him and his mother after he was born. Jared's quest started as a child and continues into adulthood.
• 😀 Jared's father initially denied paternity but later admitted it, showing no desire to establish a relationship with him, which had a profound emotional impact on Jared.
• 😀 Despite the rejection by his father, Jared's desire to learn about his Saudi heritage and culture has driven him to search for his father and visit Saudi Arabia.
• 😀 Saudi Arabia has recently opened up to international tourism, allowing Jared the opportunity to travel to the country to explore his roots.
• 😀 Jared faces cultural challenges in Saudi Arabia, especially given the country's conservative values and strict religious practices, such as the separation of men and women.
• 😀 The story of Sami Alrajhi Chang, a young boy from Guatemala, is also highlighted. His father, Sulaiman, was a Saudi student who abandoned him after a brief relationship with Sami's mother.
• 😀 Mandre Chang, Sami's mother, struggles to get legal recognition for Sami as a Guatemalan citizen due to the lack of her ex-partner’s involvement, and she finds support in a blog called 'Saudi Children Left Behind.'
• 😀 The blog becomes a crucial resource for many women from different countries who are searching for their Saudi children's fathers, helping them connect with others in similar situations.
• 😀 Despite some progress in understanding Saudi Arabia's culture, both Jared and Mandre's journeys to reconnect with their fathers highlight the ongoing challenges and emotional tolls of growing up with abandoned paternity.

Q & A

What motivates Jared Aljasser Morrison to search for his Saudi father?

Jared's motivation to find his Saudi father stems from a deep desire to understand his cultural heritage, genetic identity, and to reconcile the emotional void created by his father's abandonment.

What challenges did Jared face when trying to contact his father?

Jared faced multiple challenges, including his father's initial denial of paternity, cultural barriers, and emotional rejection when his father refused to establish a relationship.

How does Saudi Arabia's conservative society affect the lives of children born from relationships abroad?

Saudi Arabia's conservative society, influenced by strict interpretations of Islam, discourages relationships between Saudi men and foreign women, leading to rejection of such children and lack of acknowledgment from the Saudi government.

Why did Sulaiman, Sami's father, abandon Mandre and their child in Guatemala?

Sulaiman left Mandre and their child after discovering she was pregnant, citing fear and pressure from his family and societal expectations in Saudi Arabia, leading him to return home and abandon his responsibilities.

What is the significance of the blog 'Saudi Children Left Behind'?

The blog 'Saudi Children Left Behind' provided a platform for women and children in similar situations to share their stories, raise awareness, and find support, leading to a community of individuals seeking recognition and acknowledgment from Saudi fathers.

How does Saudi Arabia's scholarship program contribute to the abandonment of children born abroad?

The scholarship program encourages young Saudi men to study abroad, often leading them to form relationships with foreign women. However, due to Saudi Arabia's strict cultural norms, these relationships are often abandoned when the women become pregnant.

What does Jared hope to achieve by traveling to Saudi Arabia?

Jared hopes to connect with his family, particularly his father, and gain a better understanding of his father's decision and the cultural factors that led to his abandonment. He also aims to explore his Arab identity.

How does the younger generation in Saudi Arabia differ from the older generation regarding cultural beliefs?

The younger generation in Saudi Arabia is more open-minded, influenced by Western ideals and more accepting of people from different backgrounds, in contrast to the older generation that holds onto conservative and traditional values.

What role does religion play in the abandonment of children by Saudi fathers?

Religion plays a crucial role, as Saudi Arabia's strict interpretation of Islam requires men to marry within their faith. Relationships with non-Muslim women, especially from foreign countries, are discouraged and can lead to social and familial ostracism.

What emotional impact did Jared experience after his father rejected him?

Jared felt profound emotional pain and shock after his father rejected him. The emotional blow affected him deeply, and he struggled to understand how his father could be so indifferent to him, leading to a sense of abandonment that shaped his life.