Americans Are Different From Saudis
Dr. Mohammad T. Al-Rasheed
Does time and place make people visibly different from one another in attitude and behavior? A blind humanist would whisper a soft no; a scientist would boom a deafening yes; a sociologist — a mix of the two — would simply sigh. Columnists (not journalists mind you) will be all three in one as they pontificate. I read one such columnist in the local press who went on about how similar Americans and Saudis are and ended up saying we part company later since we are not similar.
Another to-the-point column from Dr. Mohammad Al-Rasheed. Here he discusses very real differences in attitudes held by Americans and Saudis. Read the whole thing!
Decision to Postpone Riyadh Trial Defended
P.K. Abdul Ghafour, Arab News
JEDDAH, 26 August 2004 — The chief justice in Riyadh has defended the decision taken by a court in the capital to postpone the second hearing in the trial of three defendants, saying the “appropriate†decision was taken in public interest.
One of the first publicized trials challenging current laws dealing with freedom of speech–particularly on political matters–has been postponed. Over the past several days, there has been a great deal of public protest over the holding of a trial, the protesters seeing a trial as evidence that the outcome is predetermined. This postponement may be a direct result of the protests.
Dialogue on Youth Issues in November
JEDDAH, 26 August 2004 — Workshops for young Saudi men and women will be held in the Kingdom’s different regions ahead of the fourth national dialogue session on youth issues scheduled to be held in the Eastern Province in November.
Consultation, shura, is one of the elements of Saudi government and the ideal Islamic state. Here, the Saudis are holding sessions for young men and women to encourage them to participate in society rather than retreat from it in the face of difficult social and economic problems.
200,000 technically and vocationally trained graduates every year from 2008
Shahid Ali Khan, The Saudi Gazette
The General Organization for Technical Education and Vocational Training (Gotevot) will construct 20 new technical colleges and 39 vocational training institutes from SR3.7 billion allocated by the Saudi government.
Unemployment is–and will remain–a major issue for Saudi Arabia for years to come. This effort to build technical and vocational schools can help make a dent in the problem. Its success will depend on both the quality of the education and the willingness of the students to consider jobs that have traditionally seemed “beneath their dignity.” This is a great first step, however.
The Important News About Iraq That Has Gone Unreported
Amir Taheri, Arab News
For the past month or so, while the media have been obsessed with the activities of Moqtada Sadr and his fighters in Najaf, much of the really important news about Iraq has gone largely unreported.
The “important news”, of course, is the success of the Iraqi interim government in creating the conditions necessary for a peaceful development of democracy in Iraq. While the events in Najaf make for better TV and more exciting reporting, as Taheri notes, the quiet moves toward representative government will be far more important in the long term. Excellent article.
Foundation for the Gifted to Get $55,000 US Grant
Javid Hassan, Arab News
RIYADH, 24 August 2004 — King Abdul Aziz & His Companions Foundation for the Gifted will receive a $55,000 grant this year under the US government’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI).
The Foundation for the Gifted plays an important role in Saudi Arabia. Not only does it work with gifted children, male and female, throughout the country, but it also helps inventors patent their creation and assists entrepreneurs in finding both working capital and marketing expertise. I consider it one of the most effective NGOs in the country, particularly since all but a core staff are volunteers.
The MEPI program, too, is important for the region as well as the country. It works through cooperation: the local country identifies areas in which US assistance can be helpful. If that request makes sense, then the US government will provide funding or expert assistance. I was always pleased to work with the Foundation as our goals were usually the same and their competence was superb. The Foundation also receives assistance from a handful of multinational companies and other embassies with missions in Saudi Arabia.
Lebanese Daily to Be Printed in Kingdom
LONDON, 24 August 2004 — Saudi Research & Marketing Group (SRMG) signed an agreement here yesterday with Arab Press United Co. (APUC) for the printing and distribution of the Lebanese newspaper Almustaqbal in Saudi
This is an interesting development in the way Saudi Arabia is opening itself to outside opinion. Granted, satellite TV bashed the door open, but the printing of a Lebanese paper–with its outside and different perspective–is an important step in giving Saudi society a broader view of the world.
Fox News Commends Saudi Bid to Combat Terrorism
Mohammed Rasooldeen, Arab News
RIYADH, 24 August 2004 — The Kingdom’s continued fight against terrorism has been commended in a special feature on the US channel Fox News.
Unless FOX News has suddenly gone contrarian, this is an interesting event. If the conservative base, which FOX generally represents and which is not entirely in tune with the Bush Administration on many issues, is now complimenting Saudi Arabia for its efforts in curbing terror, then the Saudis are obviously doing something right.
The Iraq War and Unmourned Victims
Muhammad Fahd Al-Harithy
The wide media attention received in Britain by an Iraqi boy who had lost both hands is an example of the tendency among some Western journalists to focus on a part instead of the whole, says Muhammad Fahd Al-Harithy in the fourth and concluding part of his series on the Iraq war. He draws our attention to the cruel irony of helping one child when thousands of war victims groan in pain in poorly equipped hospitals with little medical attention and no medicine at all!
Part 4 of 4 of this series on the difference between Western and Arab media.
Election Fever Grips Major Cities as Candidates Emerge
P.K. Abdul Ghafour, Arab News
JEDDAH, 23 August 2004 — Election fever has gripped Saudi cities as prominent candidates, mostly businessmen, have started making preparations for campaigning ahead of the Kingdom’s civic polls, scheduled to be held in three phases from November.
As Saudi Arabia prepares for its first foray into electoral politics, this article show how candidates are identifying themselves. Lacking political parties, candidates are going to be self-selected for the most part.
War and Media: Differences in Perception
Muhammad Fahd Al-Harithy
If the Arab media want to play their rightful role in the region, they will have to put their house in order first, says Muhammad Fahd Al-Harithy, continuing his analysis of the coverage of the Iraq war by the world media. The Arab media need to become more professional too instead of merely dancing to the tune the public wants to hear. The facts may not be what the public wants to hear. This is the third in the series. The first and second parts appeared on Saturday and Sunday.
This, the third of a four-part series focuses on how Western and Arab media variously cover war. Excellent.
Is Iran Serious About Hitting Israel?
Abdul Rahman Al-Rashid
In the early nineties, an American newspaper attributed to a Saudi diplomat a statement to the effect that his country saw the strength of the Iraqi Army, after the Iraq-Iran war, as a source of threat. The Iraqi government protested and said that its army’s strength was directed at Israel and would always be directed so. The Saudi government had to clarify that the statement of the diplomat did not represent the government’s views.
Abdul Rahman Al-Rashid, Editor in Chief of Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat Arabic language newspaper, headquartered in London, offers this important editorial about Iran’s quest for nuclear arms. He also notes that the Arab Gulf States have a well-earned fear of Iran’s goals.
Iran does not share borders with Israel and has had no hostile contact with it. It is only supporting forces that fight Israel. Its developed weapons cannot be sent to these parties to fight Israel. Then who are the targets of these sophisticated weapons?
There is only one logical answer: Neighboring countries. And they are already paying the cost. They are the ones scared by Iran’s race to build weapons. They don’t scare Israel.
This editorial is reflective of the Saudi desire for a nuclear-free Middle East.