Khaled Almaeena

While flipping through a political journal last week during my travel abroad, I came across an analysis about the future of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.



It was a very gloomy prediction. The report focused on succession, bureaucracy, unemployment, the role of women, etc. I could not help but smile at this prophet of gloom and doom and at the basis for his conclusions.



Over the years and especially after 9/11, I have crossed swords with these self-appointed “Saudi experts". These political pundits can never venture further than the drowning of the Kingdom in a sea of trouble.



And, while blame does lie with them for their shoddy evaluation, I feel that many of our analysts should also feel the heat as they have not risen to the occasion.



The 18th century English poet Alexander Pope said: “A little learning is a dangerous thing” and he was right. And it’s the lack of response to these figments of imagination that give rise to wild speculations.



Let me tell them with all the solemnity at my disposal: We are here and we are here to stay.



Yes, we have problems and issues that we have to grapple with and solve. However, the fact that we recognize these issues is half the solution. When asked by a hostile TV presenter whether we had any pressing issue in the Kingdom, I replied: many.



We have to look into our educational system and revamp it so that graduating students will join the workforce not only armed with job skills but with work ethics.



Our bureaucracy has to be overhauled to lessen the load on the general public. Those who produce and do well should be rewarded. And those who shirk their duties should be punished. Both the King and the Crown Prince have very clearly stated that the well-being of citizens should be of paramount importance to those in public service. All should be held accountable for their deeds.



As for the subject of women in the Kingdom, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ recent appointment of 30 women to the Shoura Council put to rest any claims that this country is against women’s development and participation.



Saudi women, over the years, have progressed through sheer hard labor by leaps and bounds. Yes, there is ground yet to be covered but to dismiss them with a wave of the hand is totally wrong.



On many social fronts the country has been making progress. From taking care of the disabled, the sick, and the less fortunate to promoting the talent of its young people, a whole new renaissance has enveloped the Kingdom.



There is an urgency, a fire that flows among the nation’s youth, to work hard, produce and be part of this great drama as the Kingdom strives hard to take its place in a progressive world.



The human element is an integral part of growth and progress, and thus thousands of young Saudis have been sent abroad to acquire knowledge and skills to put to use upon their return.



This is a country that has talent. Young people playing musical instruments, athletes, writers, poets and those with many other talents all look to the future with energy.



Yet those self-appointed “gurus” on the Kingdom cannot see this. Blinded by prejudice, ignorance and stereotypes, they continue to rant and rave and project scenarios totally alien to the facts on the ground.



But let me tell them that there is a resolve among the people, and especially the young, that this country should not lag behind others and no matter what the hurdles may be, they will race with time to go ahead.



Our young people want to be passengers on the road of life rather than mere bystanders.



And this is why I am very optimistic about the future.

— The writer can be reached at [email protected] and followed on Twitter: @KhaledAlmaeena.