JEDDAH/RIYADH, 10 August 2005 — Abdullah Al-Hamid, Matrouk Al-Faleh, Ali Al-Damini, and their lawyer Abdul Rahman Al-Lahem, freed by King Abdullah on Monday, hailed a new era of dialogue with the government as they spent their first day of freedom with their families.
Al-Lahem had been jailed since Nov. 6 and was still undergoing a trial. All were unconditionally pardoned.
The activists and Al-Lahem thanked the king for his noble gesture, saying that they believed this signaled a new chapter in the national dialogue to improve governance.
“I am optimistic about the future in economic, political and social fields,” said Al-Damini in an interview with Arab News.
“I’m proud that one of the king’s first decisions was granting our release,” said Al-Lahem. “I feel optimistic that this is a new phase on the path to national unity.”
The homes of all of them were jammed with family members, friends, and supporters who came to greet them.
They later gathered yesterday at Dr. Al-Faleh’s house at the King Saud University Professors’ compound. It was hard to talk to any of them, as they wanted to spend their first day of freedom away from press.
According to Khaled Al-Dukhayil, professor of political sociology at King Saud University in Riyadh, the four activists were immediately sent home upon issuance of the pardon, with officials saying that the king had ordered that they not spend one more night in prison.
“They said go home now, the paperwork can be finished later,” said Al-Dukhayil in an interview. “The way these men were released is an indication that dialogue will now be open.”
“Our discharge is a signal that makes us optimistic in our national leadership. In this new era obviously the government’s high priority is to develop the country’s circumstances. We have always held our gatherings around religion and national concerns in our aim to achieve a consensus,” enthused Al-Damini.
He added that creating a culture of dialogue is the solid foundation that all constitutional establishments must build on.
“It is of high importance to accustom ourselves to be a country that celebrates and nurtures its multiple cultures,” said Al-Damini.
“After the royal amnesty of prisoners that was announced two weeks ago before King Fahd’s death, I was expecting it to include my defendants,” said Khaled Al-Mutairi, a lawyer for the three freed men.
“Frankly King Abdullah’s pardon surprised us. To issue a special amnesty naming them in particular that is really a generous gesture from him.”
“King Abdullah’s pardon was expected. The situation of the activists had to be corrected,” Muhammad Sayed Al-Tayeb, one of the signers of the original petition, said yesterday in a phone interview. He said he hoped that this marked the turning of the page toward national harmony and peace making.
Dr. Mohsen Al-Awaji, a prominent sheikh and religious scholar in Riyadh, agreed with Al-Tayeb.
King Abdullah’s quick move to forgive the prisoners was not merely a gesture of reform. His action carries political significance too. It demonstrates clearly the ruler exercising his authority.
“There is both a deep political and reform meaning in King Abdullah’s move,” explained Professor Abdullah Al-Gothami, a well-known literary critic.
Al-Gothami believes that we are witnessing a new political era in the Kingdom. King Abdullah will be the one who is going to implement it. He believes that launching the National Dialogue Center two years ago is just the beginning of it.
“I used to criticize the existence of the National Dialogue Center,” Al-Damini said. But after much thinking in prison he changed his mind. “Establishing the dialogue among members of society is a very important step.”
“We need proper channels to discuss the country’s future. The dialogue must be a continuous one,” said Al-Tayeb.
When asked whether they were able to reach to officials in the past, he said no and added: “There were only prisons.”
When the question of whether the activists will continue to pursue their political activities now that they are free, Al-Damini said that he would carry on with his cause with fervor. “Renouncing our program is out of question,” he said.
After Al-Damini met officials they explained to him that they only objected to the way their demands were displayed. “We are positive that appropriate channels will soon be formed,” he said.
Both Al-Tayeb and Al-Awaji agreed on the importance of toning down their demands.
“Their acts will be more mature,” Al-Awaji said. On the other hand, Al-Tayeb said: “Now the next stage requires calming down and creating an agreeable atmosphere.”
Hope and enthusiasm about King Abdullah’s reign was dominant in everyone’s thoughts. “I am so optimistic about the future as the king is open minded. We are very, very lucky to have him as our king,” said Dr. Mohamed Alanezi, a doctor at the Riyadh Specialist Hospital. “Everybody loves King Abdullah.”
Perhaps the recently released activists will take part and participate in the Fifth National Dialogue Conference to be held in Abha next December?
The conference’s theme “The Other and Us: A Mutual National View in Dealing with the Other” will surely symbolize the activists’ recent experience. Will they participate? Only time will tell.
— With input from Javid Hassan
