RIYADH, 18 May 2003 — Saudi Arabia announced yesterday that it would go ahead with its reform programs, broaden the scope of popular participation and open new areas for women to work in.
Inaugurating the annual meeting of the Shoura Council in Riyadh, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd also reaffirmed the government’s resolve to fight terrorism as well as administrative corruption.
King Fahd’s keynote address, carried by Saudi Press Agency, also focused on the Middle East road map, the situation in Iraq and the Kingdom’s efforts to fight unemployment and poverty among Saudis.
“I would like to confirm here that we will continue our political and administrative reforms, and work for revising our systems and regulations,” the king told the Shoura members.
The function was attended by Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, other princes, senior Cabinet members and high-ranking officials.
“We will tighten control on the performance of governmental agencies, broaden the scope of popular participation and open wider horizons for the work of women within the framework of Islamic teachings,” the king explained.
The Saudi leader noted the role of the 120-member consultative body in realizing the desired national reforms.
“The state had taken many initiatives to free the economy from routine obstacles and attract investors from inside and outside the Kingdom.”
The economic reforms are vital for the development of the country and improve the living conditions of its citizens,” the king said.
He reaffirmed the Kingdom’s opposition to terrorism.
“We will not allow any faction of deviated terrorists to harm the country and undermine the safety of its citizens and residents,” the king said. “We will not allow existence of a deviant ideology that encourages and feeds terrorism, even if they falsely try to promote it in the name of piety, for true religion has nothing to do with terrorism or terrorist ideas.”
“This nation is determined on eradicating all forms of terrorism, and, with the grace of God and the cooperation of its citizens, it is capable of realizing that goal,” he said.
King Fahd also rejected foreign intervention in the Kingdom’s internal affairs. “We reject intervention in our domestic affairs from any party under any pretext,” he said.
“As reform is an essential matter, we should never be affected by those who try to fish in the troubled waters by alleging that the attempts at reform are the result of foreign pressure,” he said.
He urged the Shoura members to perform their duties in the best form and monitor the performance of the administrative bodies. “I say to all, there is no place among us for an official who makes benefits out of his position or exploits his influence.”
Referring to the government’s efforts to fight unemployment, King Fahd said: “We will make educational and training opportunities available for our sons and daughters, in addition to revising academic specializations to cater to the needs of society.”
He said Saudi experts have conducted in-depth studies on poverty.
“We hope the citizens could feel the positive impact of these studies everywhere,” he added.
King Fahd highlighted the importance of social harmony based on national unity to achieve progress. “If the adoption of a moderate stand is the responsibility of each citizen, then it is also basically a responsibility of our Islamic scholars, on whom we depend to spread tolerance,” he said.
He said such a move was essential to protect Saudi youth from the evil of destructive thoughts that promote extremism and hatred.
King Fahd described the Shoura as a partner of the government in its efforts to promote political and administrative development. He said the new judicial systems introduced by the state would help protect citizens from violations by public authority. “The new systems pertaining to filing lawsuits and criminal procedures were issued to facilitate judicial procedures and make justice accessible to all,” he added.
King Fahd also disclosed that the government had approved the formation of a non-governmental human rights organization. “This will be followed by establishment of a government human rights body,” he said, adding that the two bodies would contribute to protecting human dignity and rights.
The king stressed the need to face global challenges. “We cannot sit idle while the world is changing,” he said.
He pledged the Kingdom’s all-out support for the reconstruction of Iraq.
He also called for a Security Council resolution on the Middle East road map to have international credibility.
Underlining the significance of the Kingdom’s reform program, he said: “We have learned from the experiences of the East and the West that the real reform is the one that emerges from the nation’s faith and heritage.”
He urged Saudis to play an effective role in the development process.
“I say to every citizen that each one of us has a role and a responsibility and there is no time for dependency and blaming others and casting doubts about the truth and integrity of the one who wants reform. I say to each official in the government, the responsibility is an honor and has its obligations,” the king said.
“I say to every businessman that the nation is not just capital and profit, but it is an investment in its security and safety. I say to every female citizen either a sister or a mother or a daughter or a wife, this nation is for all and the good citizen is a partner in making the future,” the king said.
King Fahd cautioned education officials that defects in curriculums could lead to moral or intellectual deviation.
“I say to every citizen that one of the most necessary obligations is to face narrow mindedness, regionalism and social division. Facing these ills is required by our religion and national unity,” he stressed.
