A strange but unfortunately typical conversation recently took place between a Saudi and an American. Said the Saudi: “You know, I can’t believe how angry you Americans are with all of us Saudis.” To which the American replied: “Hey, don’t forget that 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudis.”
The Saudi: “Maybe so but for 15 people, you can’t condemn an entire country.”
The American snapped back. “Don’t forget they demolished buildings in two of our principal cities and killed thousands.”
The Saudi: “We’ve also built schools in the US because of friendship.”
The American continued his theme: “15 of the 19.” The Saudi in exasperation: “This is all a Zionist plot. No use in talking to you.”
How sad this is! The marriage of convenience which has lasted for many years between the US and Saudi Arabia is now in great trouble. Both countries, so to speak, are in need of some serious soul-searching and professional marriage counseling. So many variables and issues are being brought up as sources of conflict, causes of fear and, most dangerously of all, reasons for hatred and misunderstanding. The question which people in both countries are not asking — and thus have not given an answer to — is why these issues were not addressed before Sept. 11? After all, they have always existed and are not new at all. In the past, both countries managed to “accept” the differences while ignoring the need to know more about each other’s values in order to understand, appreciate and most of all, respect them.
Americans have a hard time with the Saudi law banning women driving cars in the Kingdom while Saudis cannot really comprehend the equally bizarre right in the US to bear arms and own a gun. While these two examples illustrate some basic differences between our societies, they also spotlight a cultural gap that needs to be bridged through dialogue and exchange of ideas. For many years Saudi Arabia to most Americans was as remote as Mars; everyone knew it existed but nobody really bothered to learn much about it or about its “strange” inhabitants. Other Americans looked upon Saudi Arabia as a bank in the desert, seeing the country only as a golden commercial opportunity. Needless to say, there were Americans who looked beyond the surface, managed to enjoy their experiences in Saudi Arabia and developed lasting friendships.
Saudis, on the other hand, can be divided into two groups. One is influenced by everything American and has learned to accept and value what makes America work and what makes it special. The other group has a problem with these things and even rejects them outright, going so far as to slander them. Ignorance in each country about the other is strong and getting stronger. Voices of the demented are being heard and doomsayers are very much in evidence. It is shameful on the part of the leadership and the people in both countries that they have not been able to utilize the reservoir of goodwill that has been built up over the years to put into perspective what is happening today. Neither country can afford to lose the other.
Osama Bin Laden is not Saudi Arabia just as Ashcroft, Rumsfeld and Wolfwitz are America. The differences, which exist today, are mainly because of ignorance and should not be allowed to become “irreconcilable”. The vows between America and Saudi Arabia are still binding in the minds of some but they are definitely a silent group today.
Arab News Features 4 December 2002