Saudi Arabia

In know, I know. You think Saudi Arabia, you think oil, right? Or perhaps you think Mecca? Well, today let’s think: National Day, in recognition of the 1932 Unification of the country. But let’s also think—serious concerns over human rights. According to The Economist’s Democracy Index, the country has the ninth most authoritarian government in the world. Ouch!

Saudi Arabia is the Big Cahuna of the Arabian Peninsula—not only size-wise, but as home to not only Mecca, but also Medina. So the two holiest places in Islam are right there. Mecca, obviously, is the destination for the annual Hadj pilgrimage—and each Muslim is meant to carry out this pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. Muhammad was born in the city—hence its importance. Medina is where Muhammad moved to, making it another important place within the Islamic faith. So, Saudi Arabia itself is inextricably linked with Islamic history.

(And, yes, pre-Islam Saudi Arabia was inhabited, and most empires traded with the states along the peninsula.)

There have been three Saudi states—the Third Saudi state was founded in the early 20th century, with borders being established in the 1920s—though not with all countries. It was only a few years ago that Saudi Arabia and Yemen settled their border disputes, and the borders with the United Arab Emirates and Oman are not really defined at all. And I can tell you’re thinking: desert! It’s a desert! Yes. Most of the country is desert. But there’s also the ‘Asir region, with mountains that get their share of green.

Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy—the country is ruled by the sons and grandsons of the first king of the Third Saudi State, Abd Al Aziz Al Saud.

Human rights? Well, women’s rights are severely curtailed. They can’t even drive on public roads, though driving off-road or in a private housing compound is okay. The UN Committee against Torture objects to amputations and floggings that are carried out under the Shari’a, the Islamic law. The Saudi Government answers these objections by states that Islamic law is the sole guidance it allows on human rights.

I’ve got imagine that, while I’m sure I would find it distressing in some ways (but then, that is true of much of the world), it would be a fascinating place to visit—the whole region fascinates me.

Today’s poem is by Muhammed Hasan ’Awwd—it comes from the ever-surprising and wonderful Language for a New Century.


Secret of Life and Nature

What secret lies in the winds
blowing north and south
bringing rains

What secret lies in the sea
one day calm, another day tumultuous

Chasing the full moon, and the stars
in its ebb and flow

Why does the earth revolve around the
sun, forever and ever going

Why do the stars shine at the night
and the sun at day, dazzling the eyes

Why does the eclipse of sun and moon
appear one day, and other days hides away

Why is Neptune inscrutable to us
We cannot see the stars around it?

Why are we willed to live on earth
Not choosing, and spend our lives
uncertain of the world

Why is death, like life, decreed upon us
it robs the soul of its potency and grandeur

Have philosophies, science and religion
been a minaret for people?

Did they awaken our minds from slumber?
Have we torn out the curtains of uncertainty?

Like the ancients we live our course
Then others come after us to do the same

And life, sun and stars and night and day
Revolve as ever before
Life’s secret must remain inscrutable.

—Muhammed Hasan ’Awwad
translated from the Arabic by Laith al-Husain and Alan Brownjohn
from Language for a New Century