My attention was recently drawn to a news article saying that the Shoura Council had begun a debate on the status of naturalized citizens employed in various non-military jobs with the country’s military. The article did not give details but said the Council would discuss the matter further in future sessions. What I got from that piece of news was that the Council was debating a study on individuals in the military who have obtained Saudi citizenship after having met all the conditions. Although the study has not been finalized, the report might be interpreted to mean that the status of these individuals would be reviewed under legislation to be passed by the Council.
One condition for entering military schools and colleges is that the applicant must be Saudi by birth and origin. This prevents the children of naturalized citizens from entering these schools despite the fact that they were born in this country and know no other homeland. Their parents willingly gave up their previous nationalities out of love for the country that has become their home.
Why divide citizens into categories when all sons of the country should be equal, enjoying the same rights and responsibilities regardless of their color or tongue. Every one has the right to aspire to serve their country. Nationality is usually granted to those who have been trusted and who have committed themselves to the service of the country. When this great nation came into being, it sought the expertise of men from different parts of the Arab world. Some of those men took very senior positions. Our constitution and laws are derived from Islamic Shariah, which says all people are equal when it comes to rights and responsibilities. It would not be appropriate for us to discriminate among citizens at a time when countries of the world are working to ensure that human rights are respected. Our citizens should feel they are one people belonging to one country, with no one seen as “original” or “naturalized.” I hope future laws and regulations will address these situations which have long been the source of many complaints and injustices.
