The Saudi-US alliance

After Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman’s visit to Washington, a television presenter on the outcome of the visit. I told the presenter that both leaders had nearly agreed on all the issues that were on the agenda. We can sum up the outcome of the meeting as follows:

• The US supports Kingdom’s campaign to liberate Yemen and restore the legitimate government through the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2216 and the outputs of the national dialogue within the framework of GCC peace initiative. Both countries called for putting Yemeni ports under the UN’s supervision.

• The two countries see no role for Bashar Assad in any political settlement of the Syrian crisis and support the Geneva Conference.

• The US sides with the Kingdom against Iranian interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries and its attempts to instigate sectarianism and terrorism. In this context, the US promised to provide military, intelligence and training support to the Kingdom.

• The US offered assurances over the implementation of the nuclear deal with Iran.

• The two countries encouraged Iraqi premier’s reform campaign and called for a new government representing all Iraqi parties and factions.

• The two sides called for a peaceful solution of the Palestinian issue and appreciated the Arab peace initiative announced at the Arab Summit, Beirut, 2002.

• The two countries called for holding parliamentary and presidential elections in Lebanon.

• The US promised to provide weapons, advanced security supplies and a joint GCC missile shield and side with the GCC states against any possible Iranian threat.

• The two leaders directed their respective governments to increase cooperation in military, commercial, investments, health, and educational fields.

• The two countries pledged continuation of alliance in fight against terror and in the global campaign against Daesh.

• The two leaders voiced commitment to agreements worked out between GCC leaders and President Obama at the Camp David meeting in May.

• The two leaders also stressed the importance of stability of oil market.

— By Khalid Batarfi, Al-Jazira

Changing posture

Those who followed the successful visit of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman to Washington at political, economic and military levels, the insistence of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to defend the Gulf security would undoubtedly see the emergence of two “new” states in the Gulf region breaking stereotypes — Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

During his visit to the US and talks with US President Barack Obama, King Salman addressed Washington in the language it understands, or the language of interests.

King Salman offered to US businessmen investment opportunities worth $2 trillion.

Businessmen always seek to invest in countries that are stable. Kingdom is undoubtedly an island of peace and stability in this chaotic region. Of course, this offer will go a long way in further strengthening ties between the two countries and the increased business partnership will have far-reached impacts on regional dynamics.

Iran, on the other hand, is a country where power is distributed among three competing authorities — Velayat-e-Faqieh, the Revolutionary Guards and the government. It is up to the US business community to choose between the two countries.

From a political perspective, the Saudi negotiators have demonstrated great skills while dealing on various regional issues.

— Hassan Haidar, Al-Hayat

Awareness is the key

Almighty Allah blessed me with the opportunity to perform Haj three years ago. I witnessed the commendable efforts made by Haj service providers and the government to ensure a smooth and trouble-free pilgrimage.

The Saudi government always strives to improve the infrastructure of the holy sites by initiating mega development projects costing billions of riyals. The main aim of these efforts is to ensure that worshippers experience no hardships while performing Haj rituals.

However, I noticed some problems. In my opinion, the pilgrims were solely responsible for those problems. I saw people randomly staying in open areas and walkways creating problems for others. All services are provided to pilgrims, including hospitals and proper security arrangements. Some pilgrims do not follow instructions and therefore, create chaos and congestion and cause problems for others.

Our brotherly countries should create awareness among their citizens wishing to perform Haj.

— By Sattam Al-Thaqail, Al-Eqtisadiah

Preserving heritage

We attend conferences, which produce a series of recommendations many of which often fail to see light of the day. However, this is not the case with the manuscript exhibition recently held in Madinah.

Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman last week launched the event aimed at preserving the Madinah hand-written style of Holy Qur’an, which was initiated in the era of Caliph Othman bin Affan.

The acting Secretary General of King Abdulaziz Research Center (Darah), Fahad Al-Sammari, said that it was the night of fulfillment of history, heritage and culture.

Madinah was, and still is, a cultural platform accustomed to sending out knowledge, thought and civilization and supporter of all things fostering human development in various fields.

— By Osama Yusuf, Al-Madinah

Our approach toward MERS

Cases of MERS are reported almost on a daily basis in the Kingdom these days. So far, 1,223 cases have been reported and the death toll due to this virus has reached 520. Based on findings of the Infectious Diseases Unit at the Ministry of Health, camels were partially responsible for the transfer of this virus to humans.

We still remember preventive and curative measures taken by some European countries when cases of bird flu were reported in that part of the world.

People of the affected countries played an important role by avoiding consumption of poultry meat. That really helped check further spread of the disease.

However, our situation is completely different and we appear to be taking haphazard steps. Primitive camel pens are still spread on the outskirts of cities and along highways. In front of those pens, we find people enjoying a bowl of camel’s milk. It is believed that camel’s milk helps cure stomach and intestinal pains.

On the other hand, camel meat kabsa restaurants are found in many cities across the Kingdom. Additionally, camel beautification festivals are still being regularly organized. The question is: When are we going to take a stand against these concepts?

— By Ahmed Ajab Al-Zahrani, Okaz

KSA’s humanitarian services

The Kingdom is always the first one to reach out to people in distress not only in the Muslim world but beyond that as well. Saudi Arabia never shies away from extending a helping hand to people or nations in trouble.

Those questioning the Kingdom’s role in the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis in Europe appear to be ignorant of the volume of aid Kingdom provides to people across the world purely on humanitarian grounds. Saudi Arabia is not behind any country when it comes to helping displaced Syrians.

The Kingdom has been supporting Syrians for the last five years, receiving nearly two and a half million and considers them residents not refugees.

The Kingdom, further, allowed them to work, provided them with health care facilities. Saudi Arabia also ensured free education for nearly 100,000 male and female students and sent thousands of trucks loaded with foodstuffs and medicines to Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon.

Media covering influx of Syrian refugees into Europeans countries was critical toward Arab and Gulf countries, notably Saudi Arabia, despite the fact those arrived in Europe do not represent half of the Syrians residing in the Kingdom. Social media and other media channels are full of illogical and unacceptable analyses and views in this regard.

— By Ahmed Al-Jimaia, Al-Riyadh