Cairo Declaration
The Arab region is currently simmering and there does not seem to be any possibility of its cooling down in the foreseeable future.
Disturbances are causing chaos in countries like Iraq, Syria, Libya and Yemen and the situation warrants adoption of an Arab plan.
These are the critical times and major countries like Saudi Arabia and Egypt are joining hands to play their historic roles.
Both countries know that the current developments make it imperative for them to work on a joint and durable strategy based on two things: Security and economic cooperation.
The visit of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the deputy crown prince and minister of defense, to Egypt in this regard has boosted relations between the two countries and paved way for broader cooperation. The “Cairo declaration” should be looked as a workable project.
The two countries should join hands and work together starting from military cooperation, notably the formation of a joint Arab force, down to economic integration with special emphasis on energy and investments.
In fact, both countries are fully capable of bringing about prosperity to the region and this depends on their commitment to boost cooperation, unify their stances on various issues and stand steadfast to counter any opposition.
— Aiman Al-Hammad, Al-Riyadh
Deputy crown prince’s visit to Egypt
The visit of Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Egypt has cleared the confusion and misinterpretations in the Kingdom and outside as regards the nature of Saudi-Egyptian relations in the era of King Salman.
However, those who followed the young prince’s visits abroad will notice he is very much concerned about cementing Kingdom’s ties with regional and international powers.
He has maintained a moderate and balanced policy that was formulated by his predecessors, and which has been a constant Saudi policy for decades.
Our relations with Egypt is based on good faith and the Kingdom is determined to enrich and promote these relations whenever possible even though they may be marred by some differences in views over some issues.
King Salman was the first leader to bring Egypt into Arab ranks after some differences in Saudi-Egypt relations following former Egyptian President Sadat’s visit to Israel. After the government of the Muslim Brotherhood was brought down the Kingdom once again supported Cairo during the times of late King Abdullah.
Since then it has stood with Egypt and its people and not with individuals as believed by so many Muslim Brothers. Such stances fall within established strategic polices of the Kingdom irrespective of who is the president: The Kingdom stood with Egypt after the defeat of 67 in the era of President Nasser despite differences between the two governments. In October 73 war, King Faisal supported Egypt financially and politically in its war against Israel, a matter that was seen by observers as one of catalysts for the victory.
It has become known to all that the Kingdom’s policies and positions toward Arab issues, particularly with Egypt in bad and good times, remained stable.
No doubt, the young prince’s visit will enrich Saudi-Egypt relations and make it more deeper.
Saudi Arabia and Egypt are two major countries in the region and their relations have more strategic importance than ever, notably after the signing of the nuclear deal between Iran and the six powerful countries (5+1).
Attempts by Muslim Brothers to spoil the atmosphere of good Saudi-Egypt relations have failed and all such attempts will also fail in future.
— Mohamed Al Al-Sheikh, Al-Jazirah
Al-Maliki’s failures
Iraq will remain an integral part of the Arab world despite attempts by losers to blame others for their failures.
Nuri Al-Maliki, the Iraqi vice president, exactly did that when he spit venom against Saudi Arabia in a televised interview recently.
Later, the Iraqi presidency made its own statement distancing itself from Al-Maliki’s utterances, saying they were his personal viewpoints and that Baghdad wanted to develop cordial relations with Saudi Arabia. This must have dealt a blow to Al-Maliki for his shameful statements.
Condemnations and rejections voiced by the Iraqi Parliament and other Iraqi parties indicated that Al-Maliki is an abnormal voice within the Iraqi state which is eager to strengthen relations with its neighbors, especially Saudi Arabia.
The countries that support terror are the ones where Al-Maliki lived after he left Iraq in 1982, namely Syria and Iran until the US occupation of Iraq. In eight years (2006-2014) of his premiership in Iraq, sectarian sedition, bloodshed and chaos increased instead of national values and political norms.
Neither Al-Maliki nor his government could protect Iraq and its deeply-rooted civilization, but left it vulnerable to the extremist groups. Iraq, then fell to Daesh that occupied cities and banks of Tigris and Euphrates rivers and oil fields.
Since assuming power in 2006, Al-Maliki has been termed a “distinct” failed premier.
Instead of paying attention to political and national issues of his countries, Al-Maliki, ironically, directed his fake accusations to a stable country, Saudi Arabia .
These are the “characteristics” of a failed person who tries to divert attention and pass on the blame of his failures to a neighboring country or a close relative in a bid to frustrate the success and superiority of the other.
— Nabila Husni Mahjoub, Al-Madinah
Saudi elections: Wider participation
We are just a few days away from observing hectic activities on the Kingdom’s streets when Saudis will vote to elect members for the municipal councils with a wider community participation, including both men and women.
For the first time, Saudi women have been allowed to vote and run as candidates in the election where people may find banners saying “Vote for Um Saad.”
The credit for presence of women in the elections in the first and second phases goes to late King Abdullah, who gave Saudi women the rights to participate in the elections.
King Abdullah was a staunch supporter of women’s participation in the election process. He was the one who made it possible for them to enter the Shoura Council, gave them the right of scholarship and paved the way for them to become an integral and influential part in the democratic electoral process.
The election is poised to get exceptional media coverage, notably in foreign media which will find a rich material to demonstrate the intellectual and cultural change in the Saudi society.
The municipal elections where women are participating for the first time will be a landmark event. However, they may face some opposition and problems.
Anything new in the community becomes a source of apprehension. Since the community based on a patriarchal society remains skeptic about women’s presence in public gathering, the social networking sites therefore will likely have jokes and sarcastic comments. The Saudi society has developed enormous ability to see wits, sarcasm and jokes in everything.
— Hasan Al-Harthi, Al-Watan
GCC should sever ties with Iran
In a bold step, Bahrain recalled its charge d’affaires in Tehran and we hope the remaining GCC states will also recall their ambassadors from Iran.
Since the fall of Iran’s King Mohammad Raza Pahlavi and rise of Ayatollah Khomeini and the succeeding leaders, Iran has nursed and developed enmity with the GCC member-countries.
Iran also recruited and trained youths in terrorist activities such as the ones that occurred in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait.
Similarly, Iran attempted to create differences and enmity between Sunnis and Shiites in a bid to find a reason to interfere in the affairs of these countries under the pretext of “protecting” the Shiites. In its long history, Iran tried to revive the Persian Empire. Partially that dream became close to a reality after the fall of Baghdad that came under its influence; its inference in Lebanon, Syria, and currently in Yemen where is sided with Houthis and provided them with weapons and experts.
However, the Iranian dream failed in Yemen failed when Saudi Arabia led a coalition against the Houthis through Operation “Decisive Storm,” and liberated Aden and expelled Houthi militias from there.
Meanwhile, the terror activities backed by Iran continued in the form of explosions in mosques in Ahsa, Qatif, Dammam, and Kuwait.
Recently, the Bahraini authorities uncovered a terrorist cell linked to Iran charged with smuggling weapons and explosives into Bahrain.
Based on that we can well ask, what the GCC states want from Iran? Why don’t GCC countries sever relations with it and close down its embassies as long as it continues with its ambitions in the region and represents a source of terror targeting the GCC countries?
— Abdulrahman Al-Mulhim, Makkah newspaper
Are schools ready to receive students?
As in previous years, several schools this year were not ready to receive students due to shortage in supplies and equipment.
It is unacceptable that schools are not ready to receive students despite the fact that the Kingdom has allocated some SR217 billion on education for the current year (2015), or 25 percent of the budget, thus outperforming rich countries of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
Therefore, the (Saudi) educational system should face challenges whether it pertains to security, social, economic, or scientific issues.
It is also not acceptable that the schools have any deficiency in the educational system because it is our most important defense line — intellectually, militarily and economically.
Hope is pinned on schools to make a qualitative shift in the new year and that all schools, government or private, should have a good start overcoming any possible shortages here or there.
We suggest that schools open one week earlier than the schedule. It will allow parents to acquaint themselves with positions of these schools in terms of teaching staff, supplies and text books.
Preparedness of schools has special importance; it is where the future of nearly 5 million students is “tailored.” It is also the place which is considered the most effective location to build the future generations.
— Ihsan Buhaliqa, Al-Youm
