GlocalNet

Having just returned from Saudi Arabia I’ve reflected a lot on my time there.  There is no greater host than HRH Prince Turki-Al-Faisal.  I’m going to write about him later in the week.  He’s truly an exceptional man and a world leader par excellent!  I wish we had 1,000 men like him spread out across the world - this world would be a much better place. 

There has been tension between the U.S. & Saudi Arabia the past ten years because of 9-11.  Though the Saudi government and people in the majority have condemned the attacks, not all have - this creates questions on the part of Americans.  I also believe that there are similarities but differences in our world views.  As a result, we don’t always understand or communicate effectively with each other.  Communication is far more than linguistics – it’s culture, nuance, and lots of other stuff. 

Saudi Arabia has had this open/close relationship with the world.  Make no mistake about it; her leaders are very open and global in their views.  The people in mass - some are and some are not.  But the country is opening at a level like never before in history and that will continue - there will be no going back, no closing of Saudi Arabia only a continual opening.  As a result, there are some, what I would call, inner conflicts the Saudis are struggling with as they open even more to the world.  Just like we have these inner conflicts in the U.S. - so they are having theirs and I believe it’s quite healthy. 

First, they are conflicted between a religion that they view themselves as the guardians of and at the same time portraying a global and open face to the world religiously.  King Abdullah has taken steps to put Saudi Arabia at the forefront of interfaith dialogue.  They are passionate Muslims.  I was asked by someone, “what is the one thing you see missing here?”  I think they expected me to say “night clubs and bars and alcohol.  “I said churches!”  The man laughed and said, yes that’s true.”  Can a country be open and hold all other global views of God at bay, and not all discussion of those?  I don’t think so.  Whether Saudi Arabia ever allows other religions in their country or not, they will not have the luxury of being silent about them or ignoring them.  I commend King Abdullah for beginning the process of that through his Interfaith Dialogue.  We must be patient with them at this point.  Often we want someone to change overnight - we can’t even do that.  We need to celebrate the changes they are making and at the same time focus on ourselves and work to understand others are changing in ways that don’t compromise our core convictions but allow us to partner and build bridges with others.  I was quite open about my faith, interviewed on television and the paper and found people quite open.  Yes, I was a guest of the royal family - but I was treated as such regardless of where I went. 

Second, they are conflicted with their Monarchy & democracy.  Saudi Arabia really is different than the rest of the Middle-East.  I heard someone from the Carnegie Institute say while I was there, “The Arab Spring revolutions didn’t come because people wanted a new government, but because people were being governed bad.”  I believe that there is good governance in Saudi Arabia.  Perfect?  Not at all, but there are basic freedoms there.  Like what I experience in America?  No, but I’ve been places in the world that it’s a heck of a lot worse than Saudi Arabia.  I think we will continue to see an evolution of the governance and the royal family there.  I do believe they are a stabilizing force.  I think it doesn’t hurt that the majority of their leaders have been educated in the West and other global places.  These leaders are extremely intelligent and I believe sensitive to what is taking place in their country and the world.  Don’t hear me saying they are perfect - hear me saying they have many good things that they are building on that can lead to a very good future. 

Third, they are conflicted about men and women.  They are moving extremely fast to bridge that gap.  For example, women are graduating very fast from universities.  The jobs are taking time to catch up.  I heard while there that it is 5x harder for a woman to find a job than a man.  30 years ago it was considered radical if you educated your daughter - now it’s considered backwards if you don’t educate your daughter.  Progress is happening here.  Keep in mind these are cultural and political issues, not necessarily political and governmental issues. 

Fourth, they are conflicted between the role of religion and society.  They love God in their own way - but how much control does religion exert over every action in your daily life.  You see this in women in the public square, it’s changing, but I would say it has been the religion that has.  The people are pushing back on the “religious police” - I saw it firsthand.  The “religious police” are realizing they may actually be turning people off instead of on to faith and are having big discussions on that. 

Fifth, they are conflicted at the point of being local and global at the same time.  They are now traveling all over the world and becoming educated outside Saudi Arabia.  They are graduating 200,000 seniors a year and King Abdullah is educating his country at a rapid pace.  120,000 study abroad.  Relationships and friendships are being forged - people are and will travel to get to know one another, do business with one another, and influence each other.  That will only continue to open Saudi Arabia. 

Sixth, they are conflicted about their future path and the past path.  This isn’t anything new, but because the money from the oil came so quickly, the people didn’t have all the infrastructure, neither was it necessary all the work ethic and sweat that went into building a society.  As a result it is seen as beneath young Saudis to work at a McDonald’s or mineral labor like young people do in the U.S. growing up.  That work ethic is critical to be learned as a child.  Instead of being proud of a child working hard doing menial labor it’s viewed as undignified.  That will have to change and their leaders know that. 

So, what should our response be to them?  Be patient with them.  Befriend them.  Build bridges with them.  Learn from them - we have much we could learn from the Saudis in terms of their adaptability, hospitality, and how they care for their families.  I’m reading a book right now on King Faisal - we have much to learn on leadership from them.  When you realize all their transitions just in the last 50 years, it’s a miracle they have been as stable as they have.  I’m not saying they’ve done it all right, I’m saying it’s a tough neighborhood in the world to lead a Bedouin nation into the forefront of a global world. 

Don’t judge them based on our paradigm or worldview.  I believe there is no greater relationship in all the world that the U.S. could have than that with Saudi Arabia - and not because of the oil.  They are the guardian of Islam; they will forever be the home of Muslims because of Mecca and Medina.  We should pray for them.  God loves them and we should.  If you ever get to know a Saudi - you will agree they are some of the greatest people on the face of the earth.  I know people from Aramco would say Amen to that!