Hey everyone,
My dad left Dubai today for Jeddah. For a while I wish I were on the plane. I was talking to my friend last week and was telling her how much I wanted to just get out of here and just go to Jeddah, for a drive down to the Khalidiya (Filipino) Market, and then grab a movenpick chocolate chip ice cream and then drive down Jeddah's corniche. Gosh! I miss doing that, and I just cannot wait when I go back in December so I can live out my desire to do this!
Well, there is an added bonus to my dad. He has no work tomorrow. For the first time Saudi Arabia is getting a public holiday because of its National Day. The whole I was in Saudi growing up, the only times there would be a public holiday would be on Eid. If a prince died, no holiday. A queen died, no holiday. Recently King Fahd died, and there was no holiday. So, in many ways, this idea of getting a holiday is a big landmark for the Saudis and expatriates in Saudi Arabia.
Khalid Maeena's article Let Every Voice Within Our Midst Be Heard is an excellent article on what the Saudis should be doing on this special day: look back, learn from what they have and have not done, and prepare for the future. He basically touches upon the issue of how over 50% of the population are youth, and something needs to be done to prepare for their future. He also says that "the Saudi woman is smart, educated, cultured and capable [and] any society that ignores women and their contribution to economic and social development does so at the very risk of its existence." He also points out how the governance needs to head in a new direction, where "accountability and transparency are high on their list of priorities."
Mr. Al-Maeena mentions how we should also take the opportunity to be thankful for a lot of the things the Kingdom has given to its people. According to him, in order for all these changes to take place, there needs to be a dialogue.
"Every voice within our midst should be heard; no matter how small. And we should show compassion to those who are lesser privileged. It is no use displaying a false sense of patriotism. Scoundrels throughout history have been doing that. What we truly have to ask ourselves on this day is what can we do for our country.
An honest answer will determine our future."
Congratulations to all Saudis in the Kingdom and those living abroad.
Mansur
1 comment:
Really?? I always looked at Arab News with respect only to Mr. Al Maeena. Granted there are some articles which arent always accurate and impartial, but I know Mr. Al Maeena personally and so I know how he is as a person. I like the way Mr. Al Maeena thinks and his dreams and desires for the nation of Saudi are pretty much close to the desires I have for Saudi. If you have a better alternative to Arab News..please let me know, I mean, where else can I get Saudi News from? The Western media is biased in one way or another. I also like some of the articles in Arab News written by the local journalists, about their experiences in Saudi. It makes for interesting read at times.
M
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