by B. R. GOWANI
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal shakes hand with Spain’s Foreign Minister Trinidad Jiminez (right) next to Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger after signing an agreement for the establishment of the King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz International Centre for Inter-Religious and Inter-Cultural Dialogue on Thursday in Vienna. PHOTO/AFP/Gulf News
It seems like Saudi rulers are really in a mood to introduce some reforms in their country; which in many respects is still living in the medieval times.
But why this bloom in desert?
the breeze of Arab Spring
has reached the Saudi rulers’ oily cheeks
they have turned red, because
it feels like winds of Antarctic winter
their minds are lava like
but they try to appear cool
so the reforms facade look genuine
the reforms are nothing but fake flowers
bought with the looted petro-dollars
Hiding their anger and worries, they’re now trying to project themselves as if they’re also for a change.
But how? The clerics are opposed to reforms.
Well, as they say: where there’s a will, there’s a way. The Saudis have decided to establish the “King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue” in Vienna, Austria. At its inauguration, Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal said:
“Saudi Arabia is willing to financially participate in this project, and to place all its moral and political resources behind such a centre, without infringing… on its autonomy or independence from any political interference.”
He forgot to add: Any royal interference.
(Austria and Spain too will bear some financial burden.)
Yes, it is true. The idea is not new. These sort of idiocies are common among the people in power.
(The one floated just last week by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is called “smart power diplomacy,” which will use film as a tool “to bring people together and foster greater understanding.” Of course, without interrupting bombings or invading countries or changing regimes.)
It is always a long and a wrong way they chose, not because they’re insane, but because they intend to do completely opposite of what they’re saying–they fanatically believe that people are idiots.
If the Saudis genuinely wants to introduce changes in their country, they should start with the following:
Gather liberal Muslim leaders from various branches of Shia and Sunni sects, and encourage them to demand the denationalization, or more correctly Internationalization, of Mecca and Medina, the two cities Muslims consider holy. The leaders should be from Muslim and non-Muslim countries (where there is a substantial Muslim population). This will not only weaken the power of the Muslim hardliners in that country but will also democratize the religious rituals such as Hajj.*
Initiate an intra-Islam dialogue between various Islamic sects rather than interfaith dialogues. First, peace is badly needed within before seeking it without. This is true of other religions too; but more so for Islam.
Stop such heinous practices as lashing and beheading. Just a couple of weeks back, in the capital city Riyadh, eight Bangladeshi migrant workers were beheaded with sword in the Justice Square.
Jalal Alamgir describes the post-beheading scene:
“Regardless, the head often rolls in unexpected directions. It’s collected and laid alongside the body before being taken away on stretchers. Some of the blood spilled on the granite drains quickly, and the rest is hosed down. Those spraying the water are themselves migrant workers.”
Unless it is a weak or an unstable coalition government, all over the world, governments are able to get what they want. There is an opposition from the hardline clerics against any change, but then there are so many other groups in Saudi Arabia which favor reforms.
Tens of suggestions can be offered; but it’s of no use. The Saudi rulers are neither interested in giving rights to their own people nor are willing to stop exporting their version of Islam to other Muslim countries.
The Saudi intention became clear when Al Faisal was asked whether the center will bring more religious freedom in Saudi Arabia, he answered: “The centre is established exactly for the purposes of these questions that have been at the centre of differences between us. We are hoping that the centre will take the lead in (that) direction.”
Differences between us?
What kind of differences do Saudi Arabia and the western world have, as far as religious freedom is concerned? Muslims and followers of other religion in Europe, Canada, and the US are free to practice their religions. It is Saudi Arabia which not only prohibits other religions, but also harasses Shia Muslims.
Austria and Spain know that this is a Saudi crap, but the oil and commercial interests make them join this crap-wagon.
B. R. GOWANI can be reached at brgowani@hotmail.com
*(The United States won’t like the Saudis losing control of Ka’ba, because then the Saudis will lose some of the leverage over Muslim countries. Sometimes, the US is able to use that Saudi influence to its advantage. However, the Saudis have another powerful tool, too, the oil.)