Saudi Gazette/Okaz report on the opening of the forum for National Dialogue trainers yesterday. The Minister of Culture & Information points out that the information technology revolution has meant necessary changes in not only the way Saudis access information, but in the type of information that is now available. Understanding what is being said and tolerating, if not accepting, other viewpoints are now critical. Paradoxically, national unity is now dependent upon diversity and dialogue.
National Dialogue TV soon
Aisha Al-FaifiRIYADH – A new National Dialogue TV may go on air soon, said Minister of Culture and Information Abdul Aziz Al-Khoja here Saturday, making the case for fair, healthy and more vigorous debate in society.
The minister said that Facebook, blogs, online dialogue forums, online journalism, Internet radio, television and digital literature have greatly shaken thoughts and values and have reinforced the individuality, independence and freedom of people – regardless of whether the official information institutions are satisfied with this or not.
“Those in charge of the official media should be fair to the new digital media that have forced the official mass media to allocate space for dialogue, differences in views, and diversity,” Al-Khoja said.
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In its coverage of the event, Arab News focuses on the comments of Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh. Of note, the Mufti points out that dialogue must begin from the basis of ‘hearts full of goodness’. This means that differences cannot be assigned to evil motives on the part of those who think differently. That is exactly correct.
Also of note, the report states that an equal number of men and women were taking part in this forum. That in itself is a difference from the past, the past of even a few years ago.
Grand mufti calls for acceptance of other viewpoints
Walaa Hawari | Arab NewsRIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh said Saturday that cooperation and acceptance of other viewpoints and not forcing a singular point of view are necessary if society is to benefit.
“The ulema and Islamic scholars are willing to answer questions, listen to advice, and discuss and debate for the benefit of people. The idea is to cooperate by accepting other viewpoints and not enforcing one point of view for the sake of the unity of society,” he said at the opening of the largest Certified Trainers Forum for Promoting Dialogue.
“Losing communication with the new generation, the children and the family is what we are facing in society now and we need to work on it,” said the grand mufti in his speech, entitled “The Islamic Principles of Dialogue.” He added that dialogue is something basic in Islam.
Al-Asheikh said dialogue could play a major role in strengthening cooperation between members of society. “A person engaging in dialogue, with all his intellectual and physical power, must work on strengthening society, not on destroying it,” he said, adding that it should be based on the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah.
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July:05:2009 - 08:10
It’s nice to hear information Minister Khoja admit that access to the Internet and satellite television have changed and opened the mindset of many Saudis. Hopefully, they have learned that there is a whole world outside of Saudi Arabia that is very different and interesting. They don’t have to accept or even like everything out there, but knowing it exists and hopefully tolerating some of it, will do a world of good to the average Saudi.
July:05:2009 - 08:10
It feels a little like the Holy Roman Empire in the early 1500s. After printing became widespread, regional communication increased and grievances became more widely known. Failure to deal adequately with these via discussion and compromise by the local, national, and religious leadership (i.e., the princes, emperor, and pope) led to social and religious revolutions that rocked Germany for years.