| Submit your comments on this article |
| Arabia |
| Prince Naif sez he supports reform... |
| 2003-02-19 |
| Interior Minister Prince Naif has said that he had welcomed the recent meeting between Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, and a group of reformists. He was refuting a report in The New York Times which stated that he was against Prince Abdullahâs reformist agenda. âItâs not possible that I could object to anything said by the crown prince,â he told Okaz yesterday. "I might want to go for a drive someday, and I'd like to survive the experience..." Reformists met with Crown Prince Abdullah and submitted a letter calling for wide-ranging changes in the Kingdom, including elections to the Shoura Council. Referring to the suggestions made by the reformists during their meeting with the crown prince, which included calls for internal Arab reform, the minister said that the Arab nation âmust unite as oneâ. They're always saying that. What it's translated to so far is that they think they should be in charge of the entire ummah. Prince Naif also refuted arguments from unspecified foreign bodies that personal liberty, womenâs rights and press freedom are all curtailed in the Kingdom. âThe Saudis know their country better than anyone else. Every society makes decisions independently. Itâs not necessary for us to imitate others. We wonât accept anyone telling us what to do.â "So those bitches can keep their mouths shut and their abayas on. Or we'll kill them." |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #4 except that the definition of "erring" is Sooooo broad that not putting enough ice in the Mecca-cola qualifies for "erring" According to Reuters, one man's "Erring Wife" is..... |
| Posted by: Frank G 2003-02-19 19:57:09 |
| #3 And look, according to the Arab News the Saudis are even coming out aginst wife beating. Example It is certainly against Islam to beat a good wife. An erring wife should be warned first and advised. If that does not work, then the husband could give her a light beating, the purpose of that being to embarrass rather than inflict pain. So let's hear it for the Saudis. |
| Posted by: Denny 2003-02-19 19:39:32 |
| #2 Saudi reform? For 4 years the main Saudi opposition has been posted on a British website -www.as-sahwah.com Their concept of "Islamic Awakening" is based on a belief that certain "signs" of ah-Rahman indicate the impending "end of days" (qiyamah). For years the opposition has been claiming that Koranic prophecy is unfolding, and an army wielding "black flags" is preparing to rise from sections of what is now Afghanistan and Iran ("Khurasaan") and destroy Islam's enemies. Mullah Omar's November 2001 disclosure of his belief in the "destruction of America" (and Israel) is based on his acceptance of the narrative. In 1999, Saudi Prince Aziz intervened personally to release two jailed Wahabi clerics - Sheiks al-Hawali and al-Awdah - even though their connection to the "Islamic Awakening" movement puts them firmly in the al-Qaeda camp. In fact, after the release, the Saudi government increased aid to Osama bin Laden's Taleban allies. Both of the released Sheiks live in Mecca, and issue authoritative fatwah. One operates a website which links to the House of Saud's al-Haramain (Holyland) Foundation, which operates in America in spite of its role as an al-Qaeda financier. Saudi "reform" involves incorporating as-Sahwah genocidism within the official Wahabi dogma. Within strict ideological perimeters, an Islamic legal forum - "Shura" - is going to be created, subject to a monarchial veto. Reform will mean: the al-Qaeda fatwah that I have been downloading for years, will become Saudi law. Jihad is as Jihadis do. LET'S ROLL OVER THIS VERMIN! |
| Posted by: Anon 2003-02-19 19:10:31 |
| #1 Ferment is happening already. May not get anywhere, but probably wouldnt have gotten this far without 1. US diplo push against Saddam 2. US build up 3. Shift in bases to Qatar. 4. Increased focus on Saudi in the US (in blogs, among other places) They are starting to listen folks - keep the pressure ON!!! |
| Posted by: liberalhawk 2003-02-19 12:35:41 |