The first forum for national dialogue held in Riyadh a few months ago convened secretly. People did not know what the delegates discussed and what opinions were expressed. All they knew was the recommendations forwarded to the Crown Prince after the forum ended. Those were very good recommendations, but what is even more important is seeing them implemented.
Preparations are now afoot for the second forum, which is to be held in the holy city of Makkah early next year. The subject of discussion will be extremism. Until now, no one knows who the participants are.
I still believe that dialogue should be an open and continuous process not bound by restrictions of place and time, and that the best venue for dialogue would be the media, academic institutions like universities, literary clubs and other public outlets.
I hope the next round of dialogue will be open and receive wide media coverage including live television transmission of its sessions. I want to see the press devote a lot of space to coverage of the deliberations, side discussions and the various points of view being expressed by the participants. The forum should also be open for anyone who wants to come and listen or express an opinion or ask questions.
Dr. Muhammad Abdo Yamani, the well known Islamic scholar and former minister of information, said while he was eagerly awaiting the second round he wanted to see the results reached by the first one being implemented. He also called for broadening participation to incorporate more intellectuals, scientists, writers and journalists and experts in different areas and stressed the need to involve the young in such discussions. He said it should be a collective effort involving all sectors of society.
Dr. Yamani’s message is clear: broader participation. However, I don’t think the organizers will want to send invitations to the groups he mentioned.
If, as he has said, we want to see every citizen do their part in defending the country, then they should be given the right to become partners in any discussion held under the banner of “national dialogue”.
The theme of the forum is extremism. We have to admit that the basic material fueling extremism is found in bookstores and shops that sell Islamic tapes. For the forum to prove meaningful it has to start by addressing this issue. It is from these places that our “terrorist sons” draw their literature, build convictions and start practicing what they preach.
We must start by refuting what is contained in these books and cassettes to prevent new terrorists from joining the list.
- Arab News Local Press 22 November 2003
