JEDDAH, 28 December 2003 — Elections to the Shoura Council and extremism will top the agenda at the second national dialogue forum in Makkah.
The five-day event, which began in the holy city with the participation of 60 intellectuals including 10 women, will also discuss fair distribution of wealth in the Kingdom.
The King Abdul Aziz National Dialogue Center, the organizer of the event, has selected 15 research papers for debate, Al-Watan Arabic daily said quoting Faisal Al-Muammar, the center’s secretary-general.
“These research papers include empowering the Shoura and elections to the consultative body, as well as investigation of negligent government officials,” the paper said.
“One paper calls for making the public media an effective tool for the exchange of opinion from various sections of society,” Al-Watan said.
“National dialogue is a way to get our development back on track,” said Sheikh Saleh Al-Hosain, who chairs a panel discussion entitled: “Exaggeration and Moderation: A Methodological Comprehensive Vision.”
Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef, former vice chairman of the Shoura and vice chairman of the dialogue center, said the success of the first forum in Riyadh had surprised some people.
The first four-day dialogue in June, launched by Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, was instrumental in bringing together all sections of society.
The meeting ended with a declaration acknowledging the diversity of Muslim thought in the Kingdom. It also sought more political participation in governance.
The Makkah forum will also examine academic papers discussing “Characteristics of the Extremist Personality,” the relationship between ruler and ruled, economic factors in promoting extremism and related topics.
The meeting is seen as another attempt by the government to deal with the roots of the recent terrorist attacks, which killed at least 50 people and injured more than 200 others in Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia has introduced a series of political and economic reforms in recent years. Last month, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd granted a greater legislative role to the Shoura Council.
In October, King Fahd announced plans to hold partial elections for the first time to the country’s municipal councils in 2004.
Reports have since said elections would be held within three years for one third of the Shoura Council and that half the members of regional councils would be elected within two years.
