Usually every thing has two images; an intellectual image, which is impression, and the real image, which represent facts. The intellectual image is the result of special effects and some other factors, like the information we hear or read, and the personal impression of an experience. But the real image is the most important. In most cases, the real image is absent in spite of its great importance. And it needs effort and research to reach it.

The difference between the two images is like the difference between the impression criticism and the analytical criticism. For example: the general appearance of some one reveals his poverty, but when dealing with him closely you find out that he is very humble. Some one has sharp features that may make him look wicked, but actually he is very kind and warm hearted.

This phenomenon is also applied on nations. Some times we hear about some characteristics that distinguish a particular nation, but actually many other characteristics are not known, they are hidden among the dominated impressionistic thoughts.

The general idea about the people of Lebanon is connected with the beautiful female singers, movie stars, arts, Star Academy “ a famous Arab program about finding out new stars from young people all over the Arab countries”, and also freedom. But when looking deeply in the Lebanese society, we will see a lot of humanistic features like: poverty, wealth, good, evil, hope, despair, and many others of the social characteristics that were always ignored by media means.

Also the general idea about the citizens of Arab Gulf countries in general and the citizens of KSA in particular, they were known of being so rich and so proud. But when looking deeply in the Saudi society, we find many of the positive humanistic features and other characteristics that you can’t find out without the direct treatment in the daily life.

In the first case, concerning Lebanon, the mass media has an important role to represent the image of the Lebanese girl who cares only for her make up and fashion. This idea was represented by the Lebanese actresses and singers. In the mean time, the positive examples are neglected, like the girls who work hard all the day to save money for her education in university and also the working students who aim at learning and superiority.

In KSA, the oil revolution had completely changed the real image if the Saudi society, and many aspects have appeared and affected the general idea about the Saudi citizen, the most important of them is wealth that was the result of oil revolution. And since then an inaccurate stereotype has been created, and the true one, which represents the hard working, poverty, economic pressures, tendency of religion, altruism, desire for science, and many other positive characteristics have disappeared. To be more accurate; the real image has been neglected.

Also the position of “the Sponsor” has contributed to misrepresent the Saudi citizen. Many people generalize the model of the sponsor who controls the destiny of his workers and does not give them their full rights. And this is the picture which misrepresents and negatively describes the Saudi citizens. But actually there are many examples of sponsors who are kind to their workers and treat them gently. They appreciate the workers’ role in the development of their country.

Hence, the intellectual image about something is always untrue and misleading. There might be a connection between the true image and the intellectual one, but it is very weak. But often the intellectual image is so far from reality. There are two ways to gain knowledge; the first is to read books, newspapers, and to ask friends. And the other way is to be in the heart of events and examine them yourself, feel it and see reality by your own eyes. Of coarse the second way is the best as it provides you with facts and the real true information.

It is not easy as we imagine, since the true information is an important base for the true understanding, success, the fruitful co-operation, happiness, prosperity, and advancement. Whereas the wrong information may lead to ignorance, social problems, economic collapse, conflicts and finally to wars.

The intellectual image is always unfair; it includes wrong information that will lead to wrong ideas that cause wrong relationships. When you do not know some one well, you will not be able to deal with him in the correct way. The lack of knowledge leads to an ill relationship. The lack of knowledge and the wrong information may cause a huge damage, like the fake investigational information that lead to international wars.

Some times the intellectual image is not the fault of its beholder, but it some times these ideas are the responsibility of who gave these ideas about himself. Some people give specific impressions about themselves on purpose to other people, those impressions are so far from reality. They do so as a way of forbearing, codifications, or for pride. But it is amazing to find some people who fake their reality just to avoid embarrassment because they are poor. Those people who are mentioned in the

Holy Quran:

“   (Charity is) for those in need, who, in Allah's cause are restricted (from travel), and cannot move about in the land, seeking (For trade or work): the ignorant man thinks, because of their modesty, that they are free from want. Thou shalt know them by their (Unfailing) mark: They beg not importunately from all the sundry. And whatever of good ye give, be assured Allah knoweth it well.”     (translated by Yousif Ali)

When I travel to a country, the first thing I do is to go out of the air-cinditined hotel to the streets to have a walk around and to visit the countryside, talk with hawkers, and see the real features of this country. So, it is the simplest way to get the right knowledge, to see it by your own eyes. By this way, you can know the true image of people and places, you will see people as they really are.

The intellectual imae is always a fake one, but for sorry many people still believe in it, and even consider it as the basis of what they see or know about some thing. It has many victims, a normal person or a president. The intellectaual image is a good food for lazy people who are not ready to exert any kind of effort to get information. It offers them ideas and impresions of other people not theis.

To be controlled by others’ ideas and impresions is to fall inti the trap. So, be careful and do not respond to what you hear from others, you go and have your own impresion, go to see the world by your own eyes not their. Then you will be able to see the reality as it really is.