Over the past ten days Saudi Arabia has moved confidently toward a more mature and self-assured society. We took big issues, simplified them, and appropriated their essence. By aiming at goals both adapted and ambitious for our internal realities, the Counterterrorism International Conference and Saudi Arabia’s first municipal elections were immensely encouraging successes.
We must be commended first of all for having organized a first-rate conference in admirable conditions and with a high level of political risk-taking. Should there have been any terrorist activity during the Counterterrorism Conference, it would have reflected very badly on Saudi Arabia and shocked all participants. The risks of course were not taken lightly and our efforts to secure the conference paid off.
Most importantly, we managed to attract a large number of countries and high participation in a robust and engaging conference.
Crown Prince Abdullah’s recommendation to set up a permanent organization to monitor terrorism has put Saudi Arabia on the front-line of countries committed not only to monitoring but also understanding and resolving the issue of terrorism. On all accounts, Saudi Arabia deserves congratulation and applause for its efforts and positive contribution.
In quick succession we moved on to our country’s historic municipal elections. While the elections were criticized as too limited, they represented an immensely important step in the country’s progress toward more participatory government and in the political education of our people and of our government. It was an excellent performance in which the groundwork of an electoral process was laid. Far from ruining the atmosphere, the absence of women was seen more as a preparation for future elections in which women will be key participants.
In the midst of these very hopeful and encouraging signs we should pause a little and reflect on what these ten days have meant for Saudi Arabia.
First, and most importantly, both events have demonstrated that Saudi Arabia is a maturing and functioning country. We are able not only to plan for successful international conferences but, more importantly, to make things happen internally. We have put our talents and abilities to use and succeeded in bringing forth profoundly creative processes and ideas.
Outside experts played a consultative role at the Counterterrorism Conference, but all listened with great attention and respect to Saudi experts and applauded their advancement and sophistication.
The criticism that surrounded our municipal elections, particularly on the non-participation of women, was taken, but the elections were a success nevertheless. There was not a single incident to report, and the elections took place in an atmosphere of progress and respect. It is rather unusual for a country to start on the road of democracy without the customary feuds and disorder. We were blessed that no conflicts occurred and Saudi Arabia should be congratulated on this very orderly exercise on the road to participatory government.
Having taken these important steps we should however resist the temptation to bask in applause and self-congratulation.
The past ten days have opened new windows, and shown signs of a maturing society. Our people have shown their readiness to greet change and to rapidly embrace and take advantage of new opportunities available to them. The government must reciprocate this strong display of trust by answering the people’s readiness for change at a more rapid pace than before.
Let us continue to move forward, not to test our capacities, but to implement the changes and the progress which we have embarked upon with such great success.
— Hassan Yassin is a Saudi businessman. He is based in Riyadh.
