Thursday 1 November 2007

Saudi Chutzpah.

While noisy protests took place outside, the Royal Family and the political heads of Britain fawned themselves at the feet of the Saudi king.

True, English oil interests entitle the British Government to show deference to the source of their massive investment. True, the British have a regal sense of courtesy and hospitality.
The dhimmi attitude adopted by the British heirarchy, however, was a painful sight for sore eyes.

Here we had King Abdullah visit the British capital and lecture the British about not doing enough to act against terrorism.
This is the king from the country that exported the September 11th terrorists. This is the king that promotes the export of Wahhabism that radicalises Muslims worldwide and turns them against the West. The Saudi kingdom has been unable, or unwilling, to rein in the threat of this virulent strain of Islam that generates itself from the heartland of Saudi Arabia, the spiritual centre of the Muslim world.

Saudi Arabia has been promoted as a timeless culture and Westerners have been encouraged, including by the Queen, to appreciate this desert kingdoms heritage and traditions.

What culture? What traditions?
The beheading of men, often after unfair trials and torture? The shooting of women? The honour killings?
Perhaps it is not a trivial matter that women are not even allowed to drive in saudi Arabia. What about equal rights for women in that country? When will that occur, if ever?

The king may portray his country as an open and tolerant society. But where are the churches and synagogues? Where is the freedom to worship - if you are not a Muslim?

And as for me, living and working in Israel. What would happen if I arrived in Saudi Arabia waving my Israeli passport?
It would be a toss up between being deported or arrested.

No comments: