I was very surprised to read newspaper reports that, during a discussion on amending the country’s naturalization laws, some Shoura Council members asked to scrap a provision that a Saudi citizen must be a Muslim. The members said the removal of the clause would allow non-Muslims to be naturalized, and this would serve as an incentive for them to embrace Islam. The members also argued that if the Kingdom wants to join the World Trade Organization, such restrictions will have to be abolished.
There is no doubt the laws need to be reformed. It is good to give an opportunity to scientists and people with expertise we need to apply for citizenship. It is also useful to address and correct some aspects in the law relating to marriages between Saudi women and non-Saudi men and the problems this causes to the children. This is because the existing system is unable to effectively address the many social tragedies that result from such marriages.
But I see no valid reason to get rid the provision requiring a person carrying Saudi citizenship to be Muslim. While acknowledging that the law prevents Saudis from carrying dual nationality, a measure acceptable in many countries of the world, both developed and underdeveloped, I find it strange that the Shoura members would want it scrapped. This is a country built on religion. It is a country whose policies as well as the life of its people are all based on the divine message.
The issue brings to mind the controversy that surrounded the case of a Kuwaiti who converted to Christianity. The argument then centered on whether the man has the right to retain his Kuwaiti citizenship or whether it should be revoked after he deserted his religion.
The door for dialogue is open to all people of different thoughts and cultural backgrounds. But I don’t want to see the Shoura Council indulge in issues which leave its members divided.
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The Saudi government did well to explain on what basis it contributed $1 billion toward the reconstruction of Iraq. The announcement came during the recent international donor conference in Spain. The Kingdom has never been slow when brotherly countries have been in need. Given the current situation in Iraq as the result of sanctions, war and occupation, contributing to its reconstruction is a duty dictated by religious principles and fraternal ties.
The important point is that the Saudi assistance comes through the Saudi Development Fund and not through the United Nations. This means the aid will be governed by the criteria set by the fund and not the international body. The Kingdom set the condition to ensure that the projects will actually serve the genuine needs of the Iraq people, and they are also in the interest of the Saudi private sector and will benefit Saudi firms and industries. It is good to see such a rational approach. An integrated effort involving the private sector will in the end reflect positively on the national economy.
— Muhammad Al-Shibani is a Saudi writer based in Jeddah.
