With the aim to instill patriotism among young Saudis, a top Saudi religious scholar said the Kingdom, which was founded under the Islamic concept of monotheism, inspires patriotism.

Addressing school students in Riyadh, Sheikh Saleh bin Abdullah Humaid, adviser at the Royal Court and imam of the Grand Mosque at Makkah, said the “instinctive love for one’s country is manifest in the conduct of individuals.”

Making this observation during a lecture, “I evolve,” Humaid said, “We often see negative messages being sent via SMS or social networking. When we enter into a discussion to challenge these misconceptions, however, the situation changes immediately,” he said.

Speaking about “citizenship and its impact on student life,” he said citizenry is a matter of rights and duties.

“When we, sons of this country, enhance the value of ethics and responsibility, consultation, equality and co-existence among us, we live in peace and security and serve our religion and nation,” he said. “We should rally around government commands. As such, we feel proud of being followers of this great religion and this country.”

He explained that a sense of nationalism involves reaching out to fellow citizens. “It is important that we advise fellow compatriots constructively,” he said.

According to him, people of a similar age tend to be more influenced by their peers than their own fathers due to the generation gap that exists with the latter.

“I do not doubt anyone’s patriotism” he said. “Yet in order to test our loyalty and sense of belonging to our homeland, we must first be aware of what our home constitutes.”

This form of influence differs from the shoura democratic system, where opinions can either be accepted or rejected.

“I want to change current culture because if the ‘shoura’ system of governance prevails, intolerance will completely disappear. You have the right to express your opinion so long as it does not conflict with the consultative body. Everybody has rights,” he said.