Subscribe Today
Request a Clip
In a recent TV interview Saudi journalist Abdul Aziz Al-Khamis said that one cannot talk about democracy in the ruler’s palace before society is accustomed to Western-style democracy. We should take it one step at a time, said Al-Khamis, who in the past was editor of the London-based “Al-Sharq Al-Awsat” and now edits the online “Al-Arab” newspaper.
Following are excerpts from the interview, which aired on Rotana Khalijiyya TV on March 17, 2014:
Abdul Aziz Al-Khamis: Democracy is successful in societies that believe in pluralism and liberties. Do Islamists believe in liberties? The liberties of women? Of minorities? Do they believe in my right to disagree with them? Do they believe in everybody's right to engage in politics? Do they believe in Western-style liberties?
Interviewer: But they exploited democracy and women's liberation…
Abdul Aziz Al-Khamis: They tried, but they failed miserably.
[…]
If our societies were accustomed to practicing democracy within the family, at school, in the office, in universities, and so on, we could have talked about democracy in the ruler's palace. But since this is not the case, anyone can come and take control of people's minds, promising the peasants oil, honey, sugar, and so on. He will run in the elections and win.
[…]
Interviewer: What about democracy here?
Abdul Aziz Al-Khamis: Democracy where?
Interviewer: Here, in Saudi Arabia. Do you support instating parliamentary elections here?
Abdul Aziz Al-Khamis: Do you mean elections for the Shura Council?
Interviewer: Yes.
Abdul Aziz Al-Khamis: I hope that one day we will have elections on all levels. But if elections lead to a Shura Council that resembles the Kuwaiti parliament – thanks, but no thanks. I'd rather stick to professionals, even if they are appointed by the ruler, than have people waiting for their turn at the microphone to curse one another, or to brag about their heroic deeds. At the end of the day, you find them hiding in their homes...
Interviewer: Why do you use the Kuwaiti parliament as an example?
Abdul Aziz Al-Khamis: Because we are a tribal society just like Kuwait. We are divided into Sunnis and Shiites just like them. We are an oil-rich country, just like Kuwait. In the Gulf, we all view ourselves the same way.
[…]
Interviewer: You fear elections?
Abdul Aziz Al-Khamis: At the moment, yes. We should take it one step at a time. When I was young, I didn't believe in steps. I wanted elections right away, with a new government and an elected prime minister.
Interviewer: So how long will it take?
Abdul Aziz Al-Khamis: Hopefully, as little as possible. People must realize the nature of their country. At the same time, I do not want a solution that will turn this country into another Libya, Syria, or Egypt, or any other country in which the democratic experience did not correspond to the nature of society.
[…]
Latest Clips
