About 50 years ago, a youthful Saudi Arabian prince visited France, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland and Italy to get acquainted with the modern world. On his return journey the prince stopped in Cairo, where a journalist from Al-Alam Al-Arabi magazine asked him: “What is your opinion about modern culture and civilization?”
“I like modern culture and civilization if they conform with the customs and traditions of Islam,” the prince said. “I will take some of what I have seen to Saudi Arabia.”
The advice he gave to young Arabs during the interview also reflected his mission. “Hold fast to the noble Arab traditions and the great Islamic teachings to protect you from falling into the pitfalls of spurious progress and the dangers that threaten the world,” he said.
That young man, Crown Prince Abdullah, is now at the helm of his country. But even after the passage of more than half a century, he sticks to his principles.
“We are a nation that takes pride in its religion, values and history. We want to achieve modern development but not at the expense of our Islamic faith, values and morals. With a balanced approach to reality, that can be achieved,” the crown prince says.
An Arab Leader
Prince Abdullah is an ardent advocate of Arab and Islamic causes. In addressing these issues, he calls a spade a spade. When former US President Bill Clinton asked him during the funeral of King Hussein of Jordan to meet with the Israelis, the crown prince told him: “Mr. President, there are limits to friendship.” He was making it clear that he would not sell out a vital Arab cause.
As Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd’s right hand, the crown prince enjoys vast political experience, and he was one of five men appointed to a supreme commission by King Faisal to study the country’s economic, political and military affairs.
Prince Abdullah is a tall man with strong Arab features. He leads a simple life and is known for his honesty and directness. He deals with others straightforwardly. He speaks little but insists that his word is translated into action. A quick reading of his speeches over the years will show how committed he is to Islam and how deeply he cares about people and their problems. “Islamic societies must reflect the greatness of Islam, its completeness and superiority,” the crown prince has said.
Janadriya Festival
The crown prince values culture above all. People often wonder why a military outfit like the National Guard organizes the annual Janadriya Heritage and Culture Festival. It was Prince Abdullah’s idea to transform an annual camel race into a cultural event bringing together intellectuals, thinkers and men of letters in the Arab and Islamic world. It is a unique occasion where the heritage of the forefathers embraces the modern achievements of their grandsons. The Janadriya festival is based on the conviction that a strong culture is the be-all and end-all of development. It offers a platform for Arab thinkers and intellectuals to exchange views for the improvement of the Islamic nation. “We want our nation to be civilized,” the crown prince says.
While Prince Abdullah is wary of a situation where foreign cultures thrive at the expense of Saudi culture, he believes in the need for interaction between all human beings irrespective of their cultures and religions.
