Today Saudis have two reasons to celebrate. The first is because of National Day, a day to commemorate the unification and establishment of Saudi Arabia. A vast tract of land, in which brigands and highwaymen preyed upon the unsuspecting traveler, where loyalty was only to the leader of the tribe, was unified by the vision and determination of one man: Abdul Aziz Al-Saud. He braved elements, geography and hostile forces to build a country called Saudi Arabia. In a European context he was a Cavour, a Bismarck. But history reveals that he encountered — and overcame — more challenges than they did.
The second cause for celebration is the inauguration of the King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) — a project Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has dreamed about for the last 25 years.
King Abdullah is a man of few words; he says what he means and means what he says. And his words have now been transformed into a university with great scientific objectives that will serve humanity far beyond Saudi Arabia’s borders.
King Abdullah has always stressed education as the driving force for development and progress. When fully operational, KAUST will help make knowledge, after oil and industry, the country’s third vital driving force.
In a changing world with new and, at times, deadly challenges, it is vital that the Kingdom keep up with others in science and technology. It also has to make good use of its human resources if it is not to be dependent on others. A country’s self-reliance begins with its human resources.
It is important that we be leaders in technology rather than constant consumers. In the long term it is what will ensure our survival.
The problems in the country are many. The environment, the lack of water resources, issues pertaining to health and social development. They all depend on trained minds that can come up with answers to the questions they raise. King Abdullah has paved the way to the answers by creating this great university in an area where only a few years ago there were only a handful of coastal villages.
King Abdullah’s vision is that of a nation on the march. Every Saudi should realize that we are called to be visionaries and progressives. We need to be travelers on the road of life and not merely spectators. For this we have to evaluate ourselves, both as individuals and as members of a larger society.
What is our present condition? How are we performing? What have we contributed to our country? It is easy to utter glowing words, to please those with authority, to accommodate, but that is self-deception. What we need are men and women who can stand tall, articulate their views forthrightly and participate in nationbuilding.
Unfortunately there exist sloth and complacency, but they should be shunned. Our young should be prepared for the future by being provided with values emanating from our own Islamic tradition that directs them to embrace the world with tolerance and to accept others. We have to re-establish a society in which extremist ideologies neither exist nor are secretly admired or supported from afar.
Ours should be a society in which a meritocracy prevails, where men and women work to contribute to the progress of the country and the family of nations.
Ours should also be a society of role models in all fields with a special emphasis on the family, the anchor of young people’s hopes and goals.
The media have a role in all this by focusing on issues concerning all, by reporting the truth, by exposing irregularities, by being accurate and by not indulging in sensationalism. The media are an important element in any society, and it is vital that media play its part with responsibility and act as a source of convergence rather than divergence.
Thanks to oil, this country has seen not one but two economic booms. We hope today will mark the beginning of a new boom; a knowledge boom that will be the foundation of an advanced, highly skilled, high-tech society in which honest and hard-working men and women live in freedom and dignity as partners and citizens.
Such a society will be one that cares for the less fortunate and contributes not only to the well-being of those within its borders but also to others far beyond them.
