Saudi Arabia: A Quick Visit and a Glimpse Into the Future

Al-Ahram, Egypt, June 2

I recently had the privilege of visiting Saudi Arabia. I forged strong ties and friendships with various members of the royal family, prominent intellectuals, writers, and visionaries during my stay. I was particularly privileged to take part in a poetry evening hosted by the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in Dhahran. Established by the world’s leading oil corporation, Aramco, this grand cultural center serves as a gift to the Saudi people. I confess to having immensely enjoyed the poetry reading held in the dazzling theater, complete with an accompanying band. The event formed part of a program promoting reading in the Arab world, with many Arab intellectuals attending, most notably the celebrated Syrian poet Adunis. This was his second visit to Saudi Arabia in under a month. Despite the brevity of my visit, I had the chance to witness the new Saudi Arabia, a far cry from its past, be it near or distant. There is a clear shift taking place on the Saudi streets: women are emerging in a prominent role and taking on a variety of occupations without fear of societal judgment or guardianship. I firmly believe that Saudi women will be the driving force behind progress and development. It is no longer about politics or adorning the hijab, but rather, it is about recognizing the importance of educating women at home and abroad—an integral building block in the success and advancement of society. This collective effort is evident in the many extraordinary Saudi women who are examples of this progress. I also followed the project of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with admiration, considering the scope of his ambitions and the difficulties he inevitably faces in order to achieve societal reform, economic development, and global alignment. His pursuit of modernizing the Saudi state, transitioning it away from singularly relying on oil-based production to one that encompasses agriculture, industry, and tourism, all while generating employment opportunities for the upcoming generations, is laudable. Although his journey towards transformation involves numerous political and security challenges, it has only served to further solidify his commitment to carrying out reform. I believe that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has greatly benefited from the vast political experience of his father, King Salman, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. Due to King Salman’s extensive expertise in governance, he has provided a strong foundation in politics and international relations. His years as emir of Riyadh gave him an unparalleled mastery of Saudi politics, allowing him to take decisive action and steer the country’s affairs. Today, there is widespread backing for the forces of modernization in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi youth are at the vanguard of these progressive movements; supported by some of the country’s top advisors and politicians. The new wave of openness in Saudi Arabia has sparked a dialogue that is allowing society to assess and reconcile its path forward. Similarly, the international community is keenly setting its eyes on Saudi Arabia, a particularly important nation for the millions of Muslims all over the world, with a rich history and immense size. The experience of Saudi Arabia—the country that is holiest in religion, largest in size, and richest in oil—is something that the world is keenly observing. In the face of numerous programs that seek to bring progress, openness, and change, the kingdom is consequently striving to find a balance between modernization and preserving its traditional values. Millions of people from around the globe frequent Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage and find safety and security in its borders. During my brief visit, it seemed that religion and history are both being deeply impacted by the current events transpiring in the country, and I only wish that the nation navigates this period with wisdom and security. —Farouq Jwaideh (translated by Asaf Zilberfarb)