Can MBS wind back the clock?
- By Sajjad Malik
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E-mail China.org.cn, November 1, 2017
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Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman [File photo] |
Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, also known as MBS, has embarked on a difficult mission to transform his country and society. He has many ideas and is aiming to achieve a lot in a short span of time.
Undoubtedly, the most challenging of all is to promote a moderate vision of Islam that prevailed in Saudi Arabia before 1979.
The extremist ideology might have hit the rock bottom on the battlefield, but it is certainly not dead. Its promoters are trying to reinvent it to grow fresh tentacles. The challenge for the energetic MBS is huge. Many analysts are wondering if he can reverse the wheels of time and accomplish what many regard as a "mission impossible."
Undaunted, the Prince is already on the go. He has launched Vision 2030 to transform the economy to survive in a world when dependence on fossil fuels will be reduced due to the rise of alternative and cheaper sources of energy. He is, for example, building new resorts to attract tourism.
He played a role in the recent lifting of the ban on women drivers, and also allowed calls on skype and use of other social media tools for communication for the first time in the kingdom. The most important message coming out is his commitment to promote moderate thinking where extremist ideas can have no place.
Last week, the Prince used a major investors' conference in Riyadh to tell the international community he was serious about changing the course of history. "We only want to go back to what we were: a moderate Islam open to the world, open to all religions," he said.
More pointedly, he said: "We will not waste 30 years of our lives in dealing with extremist ideas. We will destroy them today." His statement must have heavily resonated in the powerful capitals of the world, where policy makers often display serious reservations about the alleged links between Wahhabi-Salafi tradition in Saudi Arabia and global extremism.
The year of 1979 was a watershed in the history of Saudi Arabia, the region, Muslims in general and rest of the world. Sweeping political and security changes like the Iranian Revolution and entry of Soviet troops in Afghanistan coincided with the occupation of the Grand Mosque in Mecca by a group of extremists.
Though, the incident was firmly dealt with, it scared the Saudis. A revisionary brand of Islam began to propagate. American intervention in Afghanistan and regional politics created an atmosphere for extremist elements to spread their poison. Not only Saudi Arabia but the entire Muslim world has suffered irreparable economic, human, social and religious losses as a result.
Countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan were very different before 1979. In Saudi Arabia, there were several female singers and musicians allowed to practice their art and also feature on national television. Kabul was a modern city with university students wearing trendy clothes and freely moving on the streets.
Only Pakistan has been able to preserve some of the pre-1979 ethos, but its liberal culture of the 60s and 70s seems to have been permanently lost. It has retrieved some ground in the past couple of years, but still needs long way to go in dealing with extremism.
What MBS has said is already there in the hearts and minds of millions of Muslims around the world, who believe and practice a moderate version of Islam. However, they are weak and fear backlash, and need a powerful leader with vision, courage and means to stand up against the extremists.
It is also historical moment for Saudi Arabia. There are people who say that Saudi policies played a role in spreading extremism. Prince Mohammed hopefully will be remembered as one who not only reversed the trend, but played a bigger role in spearheading a change for moderation.
However, remnants of the force who stormed the Holy Mosque are still around and will surely go to any length to reverse the efforts of MBS and his followers. It is time for unity for those who believe in moderate, progressive and forward looking aspects of Islam in making a stand for a change.
Sajjad Malik is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:
http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/SajjadMalik.htm
Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
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