IF there is a power struggle after the death of a leader there is a problem. But if the succession is smooth there is a much bigger problem — this is the attitude of at least some sections of the Western media when it comes to Saudi Arabia.
The same cynical view can be discerned in their assessment or analysis of likely policy changes under the new leader. They forget one thing. Internally and in the region of which it is an important part, Saudi Arabia’s policies have always been based on consensus — the largest measure of consensus, to be precise.
So Cassandras must have been as disappointed as the people of this country and Saudi Arabia’s friends all over the world as reassured to hear King Abdullah outline his governing philosophy yesterday — the same as his father enunciated when he unified the Arabian Peninsula and the same his sons have followed since then.
They followed this policy not in an act of filial obedience but because it has served the country well. There are countries that enjoy a measure of political stability. There are those that enjoy much prosperity. But there are very few which enjoy both and have enjoyed them in an unbroken spell as has Saudi Arabia. Why discard or radically alter a policy that has stood the test of time?
“I pledge to God, and then I pledge to you that I take the Qur’an as my constitution, Islam as my program and to work for justice and serve all citizens without discrimination,” King Abdullah said in his first address to the nation after succeeding his late half-brother King Fahd.
There was nothing surprising about this emphasis on Islam. Long before oil was discovered Saudi Arabia was the leader of Muslims all over the world, now numbering one billion. And long after the last oil well had dried out Saudi Arabia will still enjoy the love and affection of the Muslim world because they know this nation will never cut itself from its moorings to win the applause of some Western commentators.
King Abdullah’s speech was noted for another aspect of the Saudi policy that has won its broad support from the people of this country. That is the rapport between the rulers and the ruled. King Abdullah asked the Saudi people “to help me and support me in carrying out this responsibility.”
He made this appeal in a speech aired on state television after receiving the pledge of allegiance from the Saudi people, officials and religious leaders.
King Abdullah has been carrying out the official functions of state for King Fahd for a decade with a sureness of touch that has won him much admiration in and outside the country. Still if he sought people’s cooperation for the tasks ahead that is only because he knows, as did his predecessors, that whatever be the form of government, what matters ultimately is the people’s allegiance given beyond camera’s eyes and given on a continuing basis.
