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Friday, 31 December 2010 | Muharram 25, 1432 | Last updated at 04:42 Log inRegister Home Saudi Arabia Middle-East World Economy Sports Life & Style Opinion 35th Anniversary Supplement RSS Editorial Columns Letters Cartoons Home / Opinion / Columns / Religious intolerance in Saudi Arabia enough is enough By DR. KHALID ALNOWAISER | ARAB NEWS Religious intolerance in Saudi Arabia enough is enough I realize I am taking up a very sensitive subject. I also understand that I would be stereotyped as liberal or secular, but I dont care as long as this article provokes readers to consider thoughtfully the future of our country. My thinking was stimulated by the participation of Sheikh Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, director of the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Makkah Region, at a forum held recently at Khadija Bint Khowailid Business Women Center in Jeddah. The strident reactions to his speech deserve an answer. I commend Sheikh Al-Ghamdi for his modern and civilized views in spite of the numerous difficulties he has faced. I also applaud those women who organized and attended the Jeddah forum and who daily combat the tough and inflexible culture of relegating women to second-class status because of intolerant religious edicts. Despite all the difficulties that currently exist, the bigger issue is how to address the misguided conservative interpretation of Islam that seeks to justify greater repression of Saudi women. This fundamental issue is so problematic and complex that it has dominated and controlled ways of our thinking and the intellectual discourse in the Kingdom. The present situation requires that we ponder the following points: First: Certainly, Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam, where Islamic Law is followed. However, certain puritan religious leaders have ignored Islams tolerant and flexible nature and have imposed a kind of strict interpretation that betrays our religion and the Prophets (peace be upon him) teachings. Islam is a faith that does not require persons to establish a direct link or relationship with the Creator. Yet, regrettably, many of our clerics are still talking in the name of God and his Messenger and advancing the mistaken view that He who opposes me also must oppose God and his Messenger. This is quite similar to the Catholic Churchs stance in the Middle Ages where many people were persecuted in the name of God. One must ask, How can Saudi society progress if it allows such a defeatist culture teaming with fear, skepticism and unequal relations between men and women? Second: The prevailing attitude for the past three decades is to relegate Saudi women to an inferior status. I doubt that anybody can equal this school of thought in its dogmatism and strictness with the exception of a few Muslim countries that still live in the Dark Ages. Those of us who grew up in the 1960s still remember when we could go to movies and attend festivals and other forms of entertainment in Jeddah without being harassed. Engaging in these activities was not prohibited until the rise of religious dogmatism in the recent past. Never before has our society experienced such an arbitrarily enforced separation between men and women as that which currently exists. Does this mean that Islam has changed or simply that our religious leaders have failed to keep up with modern societal trends? The failure of this ideology of religious fanaticism is apparent, yet it continues to dominate and control Saudi society in the guise of the pious and in the name of Islam despite preaching intolerance. Third: Saudi religious schools must enter the modern age or be an impediment to Saudi Arabias economic and political development. Many reforms depend on an informed and tolerant citizenry. Justifying intolerance and ignorance breeds terrorism that strikes at the very security of the Kingdom. We need to consider these leaders of thought, who are called our religious scholars, of whom we should revere? Who among them has contributed anything to the advancement of the human race with scientific breakthroughs like those of Newton, Einstein, Edison, Socrates, Aristotle, or Archimedes? Instead, could they simply be memorizers who

Newton, Einstein, Edison, Socrates, Aristotle, or Archimedes? Instead, could they simply be memorizers who celebrate and continue to live in the past and ignore the rapid changes taking place in the world? Fourth: Most irritating is the way that these religious dogmatists wrongfully meddle with our lives and personal freedoms contrary to the very teachings of Islam. Who gave them the power to decide how our lives should be lived? Why should a social issue like women driving cars be so contentious? Shouldnt a woman decide this? Moreover, why is a woman not entitled to travel without the consent of a man? Why are her employment opportunities so constricted? Fifth: When Saudis meet together, their talks center on: This particular Sheikh has sanctioned doing this, while another Sheikh has prohibited it, describing it as an illicit taboo based on a fatwa. So, they become obsessed with what individual Sheikhs say rather than the true message of our faith. To combat this nonsense, we need to pay attention to current issues, such as the environment and climate change, the technological revolution, genetic engineering, medicine, industry, research, philosophy, and art. If we fail to do this, we would find ourselves living on the margins of history. Sixth: In short, there is a prevailing conviction and belief that the existing situation is what the majority of Saudi society wants and, therefore, the country should listen only to the majority. I believe this is wrong. If we look at history, we will see that those who challenged current ways of thinking and advanced reforms were often in the minority. Indeed, constructive change sometimes comes about through the act of a single person, such as Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, the great founder of the Kingdom, King Abdul Aziz, and all the prophets and messengers, including Prophet Muhammad, the Messenger of God. In order to move forward as a modern civilized society, we must make a clear and decisive choice: Either accept the current reactive and intolerant school of thought which seeks to control our lives and restrict our countrys progress, or promote tolerance and intellectual pursuits to create a better and more productive future for all Saudi citizens. Dr. Khalid Alnowaiser is a Saudi lawyer and columnist. He can be reached at: khalid@lfkan.com Posted by DR. KHALID ALNOWAISER | ARAB NEWS Dec 29, 2010 21:29 PrintEmailShare delicious Digg Facebook Google Yahoo! Buzz Comments Post a comment Read all comments (26) Comments26 CommentsPost your commentRead allGEORGE Dec 30, 2010 00:59 Report abuse As long as there are people, like Khalid Alnowaiser, there is hope! With the greatest respect, thank you for the fresh air. ABBEY KUMAR Dec 30, 2010 21:57 Report abuse Dear Khalid You are talking to the wrong people. The people to whom this message addressed do not read Arabnews. They read Arabic , and local Arabic newspapers will never publish such article. BIN THABIT Dec 30, 2010 22:10 Report abuse In principle I agree with Dr.Nuwaiser that the interference of intolerant clerics in each and every social activity in our community (especially that related to ladies) has destroyed during the last three decades our natural social life. Intolerant clerics couldnt rather impose their fatwa on people if they werent waving from time to time with their thick stick which is the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.

Therefore its the right time now to re evaluate the duties of mentioned commission. I believe that we can even live much peter without that commission such as our neighbors in gulf countries. DON Dec 31, 2010 00:46 Report abuse As a believer in the Most High God of Abraham, through faith in Isa al-Massih, I applaud Dr Khalids courageous article. A very firm step in the right direction. DON Dec 31, 2010 00:48 Report abuse As a believer in the Most High God of Abraham, through faith in Isa al-Massih, I applaud Dr Khalids courageous article. A very firm step in the right direction. APARNA Dec 31, 2010 00:48 Report abuse Saudi Arabia needs more people like Dr. Khalid. Change will always be driven by such progressive individuals from within the system, not from outside. ICW Dec 31, 2010 00:49 Report abuse Your article will make you a lot of enemies. But thank you for saying in such a succinct manner what many many people are thinking and afraid to say, i am in complete agreement with you. If more Saudis like you come forward and work hand in hand with King Abdullah, there might be hope yet to drag KSA out of the quagmire of intolerance and fear of anything different that it is sinking into. TARIQ ALMAEENA Dec 31, 2010 00:56 Report abuse Right on the money Dr. Khalid. I couldnt have said it any better. Perhaps you could have added that over the past three decades, these muftis were often encouraged by elements within the various ministries either by theri silence or inaction. ISMAEEL MARIKAR Dec 31, 2010 00:59 Report abuse At the conquest of Makkah, the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, clearly stated that there will be no room for any other religion. What does Dr. Khalid really mean by religious intolerance ? Does he want , Saudi to accept idolatory and polytheism ? I know for certain ,I will be labelled a Wahaabi. SHAMS ALARIFIN, JAZAN UNIVERSITY Dec 31, 2010 01:09 Report abuse I have been going through Arab News for last almost twenty years. If my memory does not betray me, I can assertively say this is one of the best articles if not the best one, I have ever read not only in the Arab news but in all the English dailies published in the Arabian Peninsula which I roughly regularly read, including Gulf News, Khaleej Times, Gulf Times, Arab Times, Kuwait Times and Saudi Gazette. The writer of the article is really a visionary man. This kind of person must be in policies making body of the country. I heartily congratulate and wish the author, Dr. Khalid Alnowaiser, to be in the right place. In the Muslim societies there are very few creative thinkers and modifiers I have seen in my life. And of course that quality of creativity and modification I see reflecting from the personality of Dr. Khalid. It must be recognized and responded for the betterment and encouragement of the Muslims. Thanks. MEREDITH Dec 31, 2010 01:14 Report abuse What a deeply courageous and timely essay. As an ex-pat living in Saudi Arabia who admires what King Abdullah, may he prosper, is doing to bring good to the Kingdom, and as a woman grateful for the friendship of Saudi men and women artists, writers, physicians, scientists, parents, I thank you and Arab News for this opinion. DAVE Dec 31, 2010 01:14 Report abuse With people like him Saudi may yet be pulled out of the middle ages. Doctor please continue your good work and may these idiotic intolerant sheikhs not pass fatwas on you. CLOUD NINE

Dec 31, 2010 01:15 Report abuse Wow! Finally we found someone who can speak his mind out! Kudos to Dr Khalid. May Allah Bless him in abundance LS IN THE US Dec 31, 2010 01:39 Report abuse Excellent! Dr. Alnowaiser expresses the hopes of many Saudi citizens, as well as those in other countries that would like to see the repression stop. Legislators, that are answerable to the people, should be generating the rules for a society, not some self-appointed old man who, by virtue of the fact that he has memorized the Quran, believes that he is the one to dictate to others. Muslims very often complain about Islamophobia, particularly in the West, however Muslims exhibit and practice extreme religous intolerance in other faiths. Until Islam moves into the 21st Century, the religion, and Muslims in general, will not receive the recognition that want or deserve. KHA Dec 31, 2010 01:51 Report abuse A wonderful post. Thank you for your voice. I hope that the right people end up reading this. MOHAMAD ALAM, CANADA Dec 31, 2010 01:53 Report abuse Religion is not a science. It basically deals with morality. Quran is not only for Muslim rather every human being can learn from it. We believe that there will be no edition or deletion in Quran and therefore, no research can be done in this book. I do not understand that what these so called religious scholars can tell me something new about Quran. Every subject is for a group of people, for example medicine to become a Doctor, engineering to become an engineer and accounting to become an accountant and so on but the only subject which is for everyone is Religion. Anyone can learn himself/herself from Quran. This book is not only for Mufti, Alim or Sheikh. Why someone would ask help from these scholars for their problems. They are not the guardian of Heaven and Hell. They dont even know about themselves if they qualify for the paradise. The only way to follow someones foot-step is their actions and not verbal claims. Memorization and recitation is not knowledge. If the Quran would have been so difficult then God must have assigned it to scholars only. If this book could be understood hundred of years ago by Baddoo in Arabian Desert then why we are so confused at this time. Its because these scholars have hijacked Islam and have been manipulating it for their own benefit by using conflicting Hadith and giving us their own versions of Islam. Religion is a common sense. In religion we can not convince anyone by references or quotations only. We have to prove ourselves by our actions. Religion can not be dictated. Simply saying anyone wrong cannot make me correct and thats what these Muslim religious scholars do. They have no respect for any other faith but expect respect from others. One thing is common among all of them that they have given themselves stupid titles which will have no value on the judgment day. Give me only one example in last 1000 years if these scholars have done any thing good for which the whole mankind could be proud of them; of course no. They basically say about the unity of Muslims but in reality they keep their influence based on divide and rule policy. We as a Muslim are in a declining phase as far as the quality is concerned. We are a product of Islam and we know that any product can dominate the market only by quality and not by quantity. I think if we could do the following few things then it may change the perception of Muslim around the world. 1: Get rid of those Muslim religious scholars who have no actions but verbal claims. 2: Stop blaming others for our downfall. 3: Use common sense and try live in reality, not in assumptions only. 4: Stop any negative thinking about the followers of the other faith. 5: Focus on research and education, and provide justice and security to their citizens and residents. NISHTHAR IDROOS Dec 31, 2010 01:54 Report abuse GEORGE- This is not fresh air, this stinks just as much as you do. Dr Khalid Alnowaiser and those of his ilk pose a definite threat to the Deen of Islam. Islam is a Deen and not a religion, fools perceive not, comprehend not. Fitna is relentlessly pummelling the KSA both within and from outside. All assistance and victory comes from Allah. AMIN SHARIEFF Dec 31, 2010 01:54 Report abuse Let me echo those thoughts. I am very glad to see a letter such as yours Mr Al-nowaiser. PETER

Dec 31, 2010 01:56 Report abuse The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. In America, we have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift. I hope through this type of enlightened discourse, Saudi Arabia may become more than it is today, for benefit of all of worlds people, and especially those brothers and sisters who look towards Saudi Arabia for leadership and direction. SAMI AKRAM Dec 31, 2010 02:01 Report abuse You mentioned if the religious scholars in your country made any scientific breakthroughs like Newton, Archimedes etc. I am surprised you mentioned Early Greek scholars, and then jumped to renaissance scholars like Newton. How about mentioning the scientist Ibn Sina who wrote the first medical textbook, Ibn Haytham, who were the greatest scholars and scientists and yes they were also religious imams too. They also corrected Greek scientists such as Galen and if it wasnt for these muslim imam scientists, then Newton or the renaissance could never had accomplished. Muslim scientists not only preserved Greek knowledge but developed to an extent that could never had been achieved by Europe, as the Muslims were the first to apply globalization, bringing knowledge from everywhere and spreading it through their empire from Spain to India to Samarkand. That globalization led by Muslims is unlike todays which is bent on exploitation of the third world countries. Mr,Khaled, you seem to be suffering from confusion and inferiority complex. I invite you to read more. ROBYN GRAVES Dec 31, 2010 02:08 Report abuse Thanks for this article, Dr. Khalid! A very bold, articulate, and enlightening account of the current state of things and how they got there. I understand that things were very different in many different places in Saudi before the 80s. Theres no question about it. The public social life of Saudi Arabia was completely wrecked. It will take strong leadership and clear decisions to regain the former social atmosphere enjoyed. Failing thatand I believe that this is already happening in many areas and ways.the new generations more tolerant will in small and larger ways resist the efforts of others to instill fear and make their lives miserable. Currently, the strategy seems to be to.build more walls.and restrict these kind of people from going to these places. Its like every major city should become an Aramco style compound which keeps out those who would try and restrict the social life. Saudi Arabia is a sociologists dream study. The social experiments of the past 30 years have revealed many things. Thanks for reminding us.that things were very different then they are now. The last number of years have seen a number of encouraging reforms and trends generally look positive. Again I say.let the leaders stand up and more boldly take the country into the futureIm quite sure that the vast majority of Saudi society will respect and follow such leadership. MOHAMED ABOUKHADRA Dec 31, 2010 02:12 Report abuse I applaud Dr. Khaled Alnowaiser for his eloquent and frank article that does indeed touch on an often taboo and controversial subject. While I do not profess to be an Islamic scholar or someone who has deep knowledge of religous affairs I do know that ours, is above all, a religion of tolerance. Had it not been for this tolerance many an ancient teaching would have perished and not survived to the benefit of humankind. During the early Islamic conquests it was often the case that we would conserve and preserve knowledge where we found it irregardless of its religion etc. This was the basis of the Golden Age of Al Andalus and the numerous contributions that our religion offered to mankinds progress. Perhaps we should learn more from our past so that our present and our future can be as bright. ZIAD AL-NOWAISER Dec 31, 2010 02:13 Report abuse Dear Khalid, I think this article is great! Keep up the good work! ADEL Dec 31, 2010 05:01 Report abuse Excellent article. However, Dr. Khalid also raises the question: Who gave them the power to decide how our lives should be lived? In order to be in true sincerity, Dr. Khalid needs to acknowledge that those who are giving power to these unelected clerics, do so to confuse the issues and advance their own agendas. NAGHAM Dec 31, 2010 05:01

Report abuse SHAME DR. KHALID ALNOWAISER, really shame on you how could you forget that one day you have to face Allah. I am a proud Saudi Muslim Girl 26 CommentsRead allPost your comment Name: required Email: required (email will never be displayed) Comment Security check Please enter the following characters in the box provided (case sensitive). This helps us prevent automated programs from creating accounts and sending spam. All comments are subject to approval Terms and conditions Discussion guidelines We welcome your comments and expect your cooperation in following the general rules of respectful civil discourse. To ensure that comments enhance and dont detract from the article/blog, Arabnews.com has a formal comment policy. In order to keep things respectful and to maintain the integrity of all content/blogs, all comments, trackbacks, and pingbacks are moderated before they are posted. Comments that contain vulgar language, personal insults, offensive comments about peoples ethnicity, race, religion, or sexual orientation, or any other kinds of attacks on other people will not be posted. Comments that are spam, are clearly off topic, that promote services or products, or that make unsupported accusations will also not be posted. Blog administrators work to review and approve comments as quickly as possible, but please do not resubmit your comment if it does not appear right away. You are fully responsible for everything that you submit in your comments, and all posted comments are in the public domain. We do not discriminate against any views, but we reserve the right not to post comment. We ask that your comments be relevant to the article/blog posting and that they be respectful, be kept brief. Ideally, your comment will be under 200 well-chosen words with paragraphs as necessary; white space makes the content easier to read on a computer screen. inflamed or disrespectful posts will not be tolerated. Remember: A comment is conversation. A comment that does not add to the conversation, runs off on an inappropriate tangent, or kills the conversation may be edited, moved or deleted. We cannot accept comments that promote adult behaviors that are inappropriate, illegal, or unsafe or links to sites advertising products or services that are illegal in accordance to the laws in Saudi Arabia. Please use common sense when commenting, so we can allow your comment. We will also not post comments that advocate breaking the law or committing crimes. Being smart about your privacy is really important online. You should never include any personal information about yourself (such as your phone number or address) in comments you post to an article or blog. Please dont share other peoples personal information, either. You are responsible for what you post, so before you submit a comment, be sure you are okay with other people seeing it. Comments that include information like phone numbers, email addresses, etc. will be moderated. Moderators may: 1. Reject postings containing statements that appear to be defamatory or libelous in nature. 2. Edit or delete comments, as its administrators feel necessary. Serious edits will be notated at the end of the comment. At no time will Arab News attempt to alter the core meaning of a comment. 3. Reject the message, edit the message when the moderators judge it to be a personal attack, defamatory (or potentially defamatory), abusive, incite hatred or otherwise offensive. 4. Reject postings not pertinent to journalism topics or covering health care (i.e. jokes, job ads, etc.) 5. Reject redundant postings 6. Ask the poster to re-post the message with identifying information, such as name and affiliation. 7. Delete comments that are felt to be spam or are inappropriate 8. Reject comments not written in English. Comments linking to non-English language sites may be removed

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