While the gloom of a great loss will persist, there is no greater testimony to a king than to have power shift smoothly and seamlessly to the next generation. This speaks volumes for the systems in place in what is essentially a conservative society and the manner in which these systems functioned to ensure this transition.
That Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman immediately underscored his determination to pursue the policies of King Abdullah and very clearly enunciated Saudi Arabia’s unflinching commitment to security and safety in the region is indicative of the fact that this largest nation in the Middle East and arguably the most crucial, has placed governance before all other considerations and given to the public a sense of continuity at a time when it was most needed.
The decade under King Abdullah’s rule was integral to the changing times and the buffeting of social values by the advent of instant technology and a new world order in which real-time communication crossed boundaries with consummate ease. It was not easy to balance the laws of the land with the new winds, which were not always refreshing or wanted. There are those elements who have tried to exploit these factors and to create ripples of disquiet but the fabric of unity supersede all other considerations and the new command seems very well aware of this need and knows how to protect and defend itself.
Consequently, even as the days of mourning are upon the nation the world also appreciates and understands that the continuity of this strategic land and the part it plays in the future, both in long and short term, is crucial. That US President Barack Obama has reworked his Indian trip’s itinerary to stopover in Saudi Arabia is only one of several indications that the crucial role played by Riyadh will continue and that the world, per se recognizes that stability in the region needs the active participation of this nation, not only because of its oil-rich resources but because of its geopolitical positioning and its size.
For the future is not going to be easy to navigate for a planet that seems bent on self-destruction. We, as a world, are a rickety stage and divisiveness seems to be making its presence felt. Saudi Arabia’s role in curbing and containing extremism has been lauded over the years and it is comforting not just for the GCC enclave but for the UN and other global agencies that it does come out strongly against those who pick up the gun and use the innocent as hostages.
King Salman’s presence on the national frontline as minister of defense and his active role in administering the country in the past few years is certain to come in good stead now and his pragmatism and candor as well as his grasp of reality on the ground will give him the headstart he wants and also be a binding factor for a nation in grief.
And while oil will continue to be a major issue and a contributor to Saudi Arabia’s power on the world stage, the role goes well beyond the production and supply of energy. Saudi Arabia is a force to reckon with and the center of Islam while also being the largest military and political entity in the region. What happens in Saudi Arabia has a domino effect around the world. This positioning rings with it great authority and great responsibility and that is the agenda for the tomorrows. To keep the nation on the path of righteousness while creating opportunity and generating prosperity for everyone of its citizens.
This process has been ongoing so it is really a handing over of the baton and stressing the need for continuity.
Even as his emotionally-charged speech went over the airwaves to share the grief with his people, King Salman made it very clear that the solidarity and togetherness of purpose in the Arab world was of paramount importance. The underlying message is clear. There will be little tolerance for those who vitiate the tenets of the faith or sow seeds of dissension.
At the same time the new king seems quite conversant and aware of the “new” world and appreciates that Saudi Arabia can be integral to it without sacrificing or compromising its basic values. The new and the traditional can coexist in harmony if the will is there. One does not need to read between the lines to register that the nation’s commitment to the security of its people is the highest priority and no sort of violence or disruption will be acceptable.
The fight against extremism is a collective one and seeking the support of God in this fight against who would attempt to hurt Islam and its tenets is an indicator that Saudi Arabia is ready to place itself in the vanguard of the combined opposition and do what has to be done.
