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Middle East Institute
May 25, 2005
Speaker:
Khaled Al-Maeena
Editor in Chief, Arab News
Summary:
 Khaled
Al-Maeena, editor-in-chief of Arab News, spoke
about reforms and elections in Saudi Arabia. In
order to meet the challenges and demands of a new
generation of Saudis, the Kingdom must institute
reforms in the political process, the media, and
educational institutions. According to Al-Maeena,
Saudi Arabia is taking critical first steps in
making these necessary changes.
Brief:
In
light of the recent municipal elections, much
international attention has been focused on Saudi
Arabia's domestic politics and society. The
conservatives' sweep of many municipal posts has
only heightened fears of fundamentalism within
Saudi Arabia and has thrown internal Saudi
divisions into sharper focus. Khaled Al-Maeena has
observed political and social developments within
the Kingdom for many years and has seen an earnest
movement for change in the past five years.
While
the US media focuses on the traditionalist aspects
of Saudi society and the perceived threat from
fundamentalism within the country, Al-Maeena
described the complex problems facing Saudi
Arabia. Fundamentalism is one challenge among
many, and major social, educational, and political
reforms are necessary in order to overcome such
challenges. Before the 1980s, social and
institutional reforms were not seen as important
political goals, due to the surfeit of oil money
coming into the country, the relatively small
population, and the lack of internal or external
pressure for change. Beginning in 1979 with the
energy crisis, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan,
and the seizure of the Grand Mosque in Mecca,
Saudi society was thrown into the international
spotlight at a time when numerous external events
and internal changes drastically altered the
country's role in the region.
Since
then, the attacks of 9/11 and subsequent wars in
Afghanistan and Iraq have given the Kingdom an
important geopolitical role to play while internal
changes, such as a population with a relatively
young median age of 21, have led to a demand for
more reforms. Al-Maeena described several goals of
reformists within the Kingdom: an opening of the
political process; greater accountability on the
part of the government and royal family; a greater
role for women in society; and educational
reforms.
How
can these changes be brought about? The most
important factor Al-Maeena discussed was the
opening of channels for expression of different
ideas and attitudes within the Kingdom. The
Consultative Council, which represents the
Kingdom's regions and ethno-religious groups,
marks an effort by the government to address this
issue. In the private sector, numerous media
outlets, such as TV stations and newspapers, in
addition to the proliferation of cellular phones
and the Internet, provide new venues for
expression. Greater opportunities for
participation in society and the political process
allow for differences of opinion within Saudi
Arabia to be voiced peacefully, dissipating the
allure of extremism and violence. Al-Maeena
asserted that the Saudi press is a force opposed
to extremism, one that questions extremist ideas
and often blames them for many problems in Saudi
society.
Al-Maeena
saw progress being made slowly in the discussion
of once-taboo topics in the media, including
recent discussion of a law permitting women to
drive and their planned participation in future
elections. But all of these changes ultimately
point towards the end goal of many reformists -
concrete measures, including greater opportunities
for young Saudis, better health care, an
educational system redesigned to teach tolerance
of diverse ideas, and modernization of society and
institutions. But, as Al-Maeena noted, Saudis
"cannot erase the mindset of 30 years in one
day"; resistance to change is both normal and
expected. He emphasized that Saudi Arabia is not a
repressive society overall and that attitudes vary
greatly from region to region despite the media
image of a homogeneous and ultra-conservative
society.
Ultimately,
Al-Maeena found much cause for hope and optimism.
Saudis, particularly the younger generation,
desire an active role in society and demand
innovative ideas and approaches. Reforms and
reformers are no longer branded
"un-Islamic" by the rightist "obscurantists,"
and society as a whole is more tolerant than
before of new and different ideas. Change and
reform, while they may be slow in coming, are
remaking much of Saudi society. Ultimately,
Al-Maeena hoped that reform would serve to
"erase barriers between 'us' and
'others'" and would lead to a new generation
in Saudi Arabia of "global people"
engaged in global society and addressing global
problems.
[Reprinted
with permission of Middle East Institute.]
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About
this Policy Brief: Khaled Al-Maeena gave this
briefing at MEI on May 25, 2005.
Speaker:
Khaled Al-Maeena is currently editor-in-chief of
Arab News, a position which he has held for over
fifteen years. He was previously a diplomat
serving in the People's Republic of China and
Russia, and is also an accomplished journalist,
having written for Gulf News, Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Iqtisadiah,
and numerous other media outlets.
Attributions:
Adam Berry is a senior at Emory University
majoring in Middle Eastern Studies and Political
Science.
Disclaimer:
Assertions and opinions in this Brief 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.
ABOUT
THE MIDDLE EAST INSTITUTE:
Since
1946 the Middle East Institute has been an
important conduit of information between Middle
Eastern nations and American Policy makers and
organizations. From our founding in 1946 until
today we have worked to increase knowledge of the
Middle East among our own citizens and to promote
understanding between the peoples of the Middle
East and America. Today we play a vital and unique
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beyond the beltway and by working actively with
organizations in the region itself. [MORE]
Source:
MEI
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