Editor's Note:

SUSRIS would like to thank the Middle East Institute for producing this summary of Usamah Al-Kurdi's remarks. Mr. Al-Kurdi, a member of the Kingdom's Consultative Council and a distinguished member of the Saudi business community, delivered his presentation on "Developments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" at the Middle East Institute on June 18, 2008.  Before his appointment to the Council in 2001, Mr. Al-Kurdi served as Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General of the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Assistant Director-General of the Saudi Consulting House. SUSRIS has been pleased to provide you a number of exclusive interviews with Mr. Al-Kurdi in recent years and you can find those and more related materials at the links that follow this summary.

To hear Mr. Al-Kurdi's remarks in their entirety, visit the Middle East Institute to listen to them via podcast. 

Developments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Usamah al-Kurdi
Member, Consultative Council of Saudi Arabia

Summary of Remarks

Overview

Usamah al-Kurdi spoke at the Middle East Institute on the reforms that are presently taking place in Saudi Arabia. Through his presentation, al-Kurdi emphasized the particularity of Saudi Arabian development and democratization, insisting that change is occurring slowly but surely in the Kingdom and responding to critics of Saudi reform, who claim government foot-dragging on the issue.

Event Summary

During his talk at the Middle East Institute, prominent member of Saudi Arabia’s Majlis al-Shura -- or the Consultative Council -- Usamah al-Kurdi imparted his views on the developments that have been underway in the Kingdom since 1993. Al-Kurdi’s presentation traced the series of reforms that have begun to alter the way that the Saudi people live, work, and participate in government. Central to these reforms were the rights of individuals to challenge the government and the removal of those barriers that have heretofore preceded the limited engagement of particular groups (most notably women and foreigners) in Saudi Arabia’s government, society, and economy. All in all, al-Kurdi’s message was clear: while change occurs slowly in Saudi Arabia, it is underway, and the country will one day enjoy a more democratic society. 

Al-Kurdi acknowledged the pressing need for human development as the key instigator of reform in the Kingdom, which he dates to 1993, when King Fahd established the Majlis al-Shura. He elaborated on reforms dealing with education while pointing to the creation of the Consultative Council, civil societies, and municipal councils as the bench mark of progress in Saudi Arabia -- theoretically these measures should ensure that the Saudi peoples’ voices will be heard. Al-Kurdi emphasized the opening of the economy that has been taking place over the last decade, most notably as a result of dismantling measures that had restricted foreign investment. However, al-Kurdi shunned the suggestion that Saudi Arabia should follow the economic expansion model of its neighbor, the United Arab Emirates, who over the past decade has enjoyed a quick ascent to the top of the business and financial world. 

Al-Kurdi also stated that contrary to the perception of many Americans, progress is not a science; there is no universal formula for initiating reform. Accordingly, al-Kurdi challenged the notion that Saudi development must adhere to Western patterns of progress through direct engagement of citizens. Rather, he argued that change must align with Saudi customs, which he conceded are still very much steeped in tradition and religious values. Al-Kurdi asserted that these traditions are unlikely to change soon and that a “mass democratization” of Saudi society is impossible. 

Al-Kurdi also addressed the status of women in Saudi society. Although al-Kurdi stated his desire to see Saudi women’s rights advanced more quickly, he also pointed out evidence of progress already made, citing examples of well-educated and successful women from his own family. Al-Kurdi noted that women currently constitute 35% of all employees in the public sector and 55% of all university students in Saudi Arabia. Al-Kurdi also admitted the limitations of developments concerning women’s rights, but he expressed satisfaction at the current rate of Saudi progress on this issue and optimism about the potential for further improvements.

Attributions
This event summary was written by Elizabeth M. Perego, a Library and Research Intern at the Middle East Institute and recent graduate of Tulane University. This summary was edited by Nikolai Smith, a Development Intern at the Middle East Institute and a student at Northwestern University.

Disclaimer: Assertions and opinions in this Summary are solely those of the above-mentioned author(s) and do not reflect necessarily the views of the Middle East Institute, which expressly does not take positions on Middle East policy. 

Related Items:

• The View from a Majlis Ash-Shura Member - A Conversation with Usamah al Kurdi - SUSRIS Interview - Dec. 31, 2006

• On Relations and Reforms: A Conversation with Usamah al Kurdi - SUSRIS IOI - Sep 30, 2005

• Political, Social and Economic Reform in Saudi Arabia - Interview with Usamah Al-Kurdi - Part 2 - SUSRIS Interview - Dec 15, 2004

• Political, Social and Economic Reform in Saudi Arabia - Interview with Usamah Al-Kurdi - Part 1 - SUSRIS Interview - Dec 9, 2004

• The Dynamics of Economic and Commercial Reform: Near-Term Prognoses - Usamah Al-Kurdi - SUSRIS IOI - Sep 27, 2004

• Economic Reform in Saudi Arabia - Summary of Remarks by Usamah Al-Kurdi - SUSRIS IOI - Jun 4, 2004