In a 1993 phone call from Texas, to our King Khalid Military City office in Saudi Arabia, my wife said that she was going to get an abortion.
The Saudis confiscated worker’s passports until their contract was completed.
It took many days, maybe a week, to get my passport returned, with permission to leave Saudi Arabia.
I was flown, in a turboprop to Riyadh.
At that airport, I presented my papers to immigration and cleared customs baggage check, to board the flight(s) to Saudia Air Line’s most eastern US terminal.
Saudia 747 taking off
Most airliners get to number one position for take off; and, after getting permission to go, will stop and look for inbound aircraft that may land on top of them. Saudia goes one step further, circling to face Mecca and stopping. The pilot then comes on the intercom and says a short prayer to Allah.
An Arab businessman had four rows of seats in the center section with a woman in black on the left, usually holding an infant; then, some older children. The businessman spent time between each of the four rows, with those who were likely his wives and family.
Maybe, this may provide an example of why Islam is the fastest growing “religion”… NOT due to conversions to Christianity; but, because more children are born into it, with no way out, except being murdered by a Father or Brother, to save the “honor” of the Family. Their Mothers are obligated by 002-223 revealed by Allah, which begins with words to the effect of: “Your wives are a tilth for you, so go into your tilth when you like”…
(A tilth is like soil, where a gardener uses his “spade”.)
If the husband thinks Mother is arrogant…
Arriving in the US, passengers presented a customs declaration and passports/visas before being allowed to claim baggage. My next flights were to Atlanta GA; and, finally Austin TX.