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Latest calls for reforms in Saudi Arabia
Hundreds of academics and professionals in Saudi Arabia have sent a petition to Crown Prince Abdullah urging him to speed up political reforms. The AFP news agency says the petition called for broadening public participation, electing the Shura or Consultative Council and creating trade unions and other civilian institutions. The petition was a follow up to a national dialogue session in the Saudi city of Mecca in December. The 800 signatories, including women activists and businessmen, also called for religious discourse, greater tolerance, combating extremism, freedom of expression, enhancing womenâs roles and respecting intellectual diversity.Wonder what the reprecussions could be for such a large group? A related story: Saudi dissident says reforms will end monarchy LONDON: A leading Saudi dissident said on Thursday that the conservative kingdomâs rulers were stifling debate over political change and that any serious reforms would spell the end of the monarchy. âAny proper reform is incompatible with their stay in power. They have to go,â said Saad al-Fagih, head of the London-based Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia. Fagih dismissed the ânational dialogueâ set up by Saudi Arabiaâs de facto ruler Crown Prince Abdullah to address political, social and economic grievances, saying delegates could not speak freely. The Saudi-Wahhabi family should begin to realize they should allow reform or collapse altogether. Collapse and the ensuing vacuum wonât be a pretty sight. Posted by: GK 2004-02-22 |
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