Nothing is more useful today than engaging in meaningful discussion. This was the impression I left with after attending an informal round of discussion held recently at the Jeddah residence of Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed. The participants agreed that the forum should be held on a monthly basis in Jeddah, Makkah and Taif to allow for wider participation in the discussions.
The gathering continued a tradition established by Prince Abdul Majeed while he was serving as governor of Madinah. At that time he used to hold weekly sessions for the people of the city focusing on matters of concern to them.
This time, however, the occasion assumed a much greater importance. It followed the call by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd for national dialogue while addressing the new session of the Shoura Council as well as the meeting in Riyadh of the National Forum for Dialogue, which issued a number of important recommendations.
The initiative launched by Prince Abdul Majeed should also be viewed from another perspective. It comes at a time when the country is in a state of vigilance following the terrorist bombings in Riyadh two months ago and the related developments that followed. It coincides with calls for joint efforts involving the family, school, experts and the media and for the people of the country to stand united against alien and subversive ideas.
Major developments in the region and the world that have been unfolding over the past months have cast their shadow over the incidents that our country has witnessed. Dialogue at this particular juncture provides a good opportunity for people to look into all that could influence domestic developments.
The world around us is changing fast. Being part of a world that is becoming smaller day-by-day, we have no choice but to interact with it. Through dialogue people can discuss problems facing the country, seek solutions and plan for the future while working to avoid past mistakes and shortcomings.
Arab News From the Local Press 14 July 2003
