Riyadh (AsiaNews) – A sign of relenting restrictions on press freedom.  That’s how the former editor in chief of the Saudi daily Al Watan, commented on the papers decision to give him his post back, four years after he was forced to quit due to his criticism of the religious police.  “These are different times” said Jamal Khashoggi, on his return to the broadsheet which is owned by Prince Khaled Al Faisal, governor of Asir province.

A few days before, on March 23rd, an article carried by another daily, Okaz, protested the norm – based on given moral principles – forbidding women to drive cars and in January Princess Adelah, daughter of King Abdullah, in an interview on  pro government Arab News affirmed that “Saudi women must have the opportunity to participate in social development, at every level”.  Moreover she sided in favour of women in the workplace – currently very limited – while underlining that traditional values must be maintained.  “The King – she observed – wants the role of women as active members of society and partners in business increased. He believes that a capable woman honours her father, brother and son”.  

These are timid signs of social reform in one the Middle East most “closed” society, mainly due to the 84 year old Monarch’s fears of a dramatic evolution in his nation’s future, caught between jihad terrorist attacks, in attempts to further islamify the nation, growing Iranian influence in the region, danger of Iraqi contamination and the populations desire for modernity, 70% of which is under 30.

Thus last Saturday, in his annual address to the all male 150 member Consultative Council – Majlis al-Shura, King Abdullah, reaffirmed his commitment to international political activism, which has seen Saudi Arabia at the forefront of deals between Palestinian factions, the rebirth of its Israeli peace plan and negotiations to resolve the Lebanese crises.  He affirmed “it's the kingdom's duty ... to seek, before anyone else, to play an effective role ... to defend the (Arab world's) issues, safeguard its interests and confront the dangers of strife, divisions and conflict that threaten it, foremost of which is the rising strife between Islamic sects, especially Shiites and Sunnis”.

Domestically, the king said one of Saudi Arabia's challenges is preserving national unity, Shiite/ Sunni tension is also present with Saudi society.  He went on to listed several projects that will be introduced in the coming year: plans to revamp the educational system, develop the judiciary, fight unemployment and establish an agency to fight corruption.  on Friday he appointed Princess Al-Jowhara bint Fahd ibn Muhammad as head of the Women's University in Riyadh, the first woman ever to be given such a senior post.   

On the other hand, religious leaders continue to oppose concerts and public shows, shops must still close during the five moments of daily prayer, restaurants and bars must have separate rooms for wives and children, adultery and homosexuality are theoretically punishable by death, religious freedom is non existent and the latest news tells of religious police preparing to train officers to investigate computer use, following the increase in the popularity of blogs, which are naturally, anonymous.

And the announced political reforms, which were to have opened the government to different groups – leading to the hypothesis of a possible first ever Shiite minister –, went unmentioned. According to observers these reforms are the only way to guarantee stability and reconciliation in the country which is the world’s leading oil producer, which is central to the West’s economic interests.    

The fact remains that King Abdullah’s albeit weak will to reform clashes with the stubborn opposition of his numerous brothers, nephews and cousins, as well as the dogmatic objections of the wahabiti (religious leaders). The result until now has been insurmountable immobility. (PD)