Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s call to the Palestinian factions to patch up their differences reflected the feelings of many in the Kingdom who have felt disappointed that in their quest to hold on to their seats, the Palestinian leadership is somewhat failing their people against the constant aggression of the Israelis.
In a communication to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian leader who inaugurated the Fatah movement’s first congress in 20 years in Bethlehem on Tuesday, King Abdullah was very blunt in his message.
“I frankly tell you that all that the arrogant and law-breaking enemy could not do to the Palestinian cause over the past long years of continuous aggression the Palestinians themselves have done in a few months. I am telling you the truth, if the whole world jointly strove to establish an independent Palestinian state but the Palestinian house remained divided, nothing would be achieved.” He added emphatically, “I entreat you in the name of Allah to rise above your pettiness and divisions to unite your ranks. If you do so then victory from God will be with you shortly.”
Fatah leadership today has been split by charges of corruption and nepotism within the top echelon, diluting their cause against Israeli aggression.
The rise of Hamas, a direct consequence of such perceived charges should have alerted the leadership that all was not well. But they chose to ignore the warning signs, and today find such charges echoed from within the young of their own party.
It is the people who suffer, while their leadership seems to enjoy all the fruits of worldwide Arab and Muslim support. King Abdullah’s message better be taken seriously, otherwise many in the region would gradually turn their attention elsewhere.
Meanwhile, a Saudi company claims to have developed the first swine flu drug. The “Osilta” drug has been touted as the “first anti–swine flu drug in the world.” The assistant general manager of the company producing the drug said it was only available by prescription to persons infected by swine flu, and that it was used to tackle the virus during the first few days of infection and was not for prevention.
However, according to the World Health Organization, the first vaccines to combat H1N1 swine flu should be approved and ready for use in some countries from September this year. Marie-Paule Kieny, WHO director of the Initiative for Vaccine Research, stated, “We are on track in development,” and that vaccine production yields were improving.
“I don’t want to say too early that the question has been resolved but it really seems that we have found a way to go round this problem.” So where does Osilta, the Saudi product, fit into all this?
And finally one report from India. The Indian Supreme Court decreed that it was not a crime to “kick your daughter-in-law” or “threaten her with divorce.”
I had to do a double take when I first read it. Why not sons-in-law? Coming from what I had previously understood to be a progressive country, this latest ruling smacks of discrimination and will fuel further aggression against women in India. Understandably, there are moments when some family members do need a kick in the behind to get them straightened up, but why pick on defenseless daughters-in-law?
I hope the Indian legislature rises above their differences and fights this latest decree. In Indian culture, daughters-in-law are often very vulnerable and the court’s message further enhances their weakness. And I thought we were backward when it came to women’s rights.
