
In order to try and understand Saudi Arabia and its practices, customs, traditions and cultures, one must expose themselves to all facets of the Kingdom. In this exclusive American Bedu interview, Ali Alyami, Executive Director of the Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia (CDHR) shares his candid views on the Kingdom and the goals and objectives of CDHR.
Thank you very much, Ali, for this opportunity to ask you a bevy of diverse questions. To begin with, can you please introduce yourself to American Bedu readers. Where are you originally from? How did you end up settling in the United States?
Thank you, Carol. I am from Saudi Arabia. I was born and raised in the Najran region, South West Saudi Arabia, but had to migrate to Eastern Saudi Arabia at an early age to look for work and was among the fortunate Saudis who were hired by the Arabian American Oil Company, Aramco, the major employer in Saudi Arabia in the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Like most Saudis at the time, I had very limited education and hardly any exposure to other peoples, their religions and culture. That was an educational experience one has to live it in order to understand how insulated, isolated and backward Saudi Arabia was and in some cases still, especially in the areas of politics, social, religious and sciences.
Like many Saudis (of all ages and regions), I went to Aramco knowledge based schools and learned how to beyond religious, social and cultural boundaries. I was challenged to develop natural potentials mentally, emotionally and physically. I was also challenged to excel and I did. Rewards in Aramco were earned not given as the case in the rest of the country, where nepotism determines one’s fate. Aramco granted me a scholarship to come and study in America and that’s how I ended up here.
You are well-known as one of the strongest advocates for change in Saudi Arabia. Do you believe your desire for change and reform has been influenced by the significant amount of time you had spent in the United States as a student?
Influenced, somewhat; more active and inquisitive, yes (freedom of speech, assemblage and movement). I started to observe and question many things at an early age. For example, I asked as to why my family had to drag me out of bed very early in the morning to pray instead of doing so later on in the day. I did not get any satisfactory answer because there was (is) none. I also resented the fact that there were self-appointed religious men, Makarmah (people of Najran are Ismaelis), that set themselves up as superior humans who must not only be worshipped, but fed by poverty-stricken people in the form of religious extortion: The Zakat system.
I saw the Saudi government, just like the Makarmah, wrest large portions of poor people’s meager agricultural crop and livestock possessions as religious tax, Zakat, without providing any services.
As I was growing up, women and men worked, set, ate and traveled together. There were no veils let alone the disfiguring abayas. Women never covered their hair before they got married and even after that, they did not use heavy-duty black garment. This is not only in the Najran region, but all of the Southern, Western and Eastern regions of the vast desolate land, known now as Saudi Arabia.
Things keep getting aggressively worst. For example, prayers were voluntary, but as the Saudi-Wahhabi regime expanded their choking grip over people’s lives, worship became compulsory. These are some of the reasons that impelled me into believing that there must be better ways to govern. Coming to America amplified my belief in promoting democratic (humane) reform in my motherland.
What do you see as the key areas in which reforms are most needed and why?
First and foremost, total transformation of the Saudi educational and religious institutions. All schools’ (from preschool through university) books and curriculum must be determined by non-sectarian women and men teachers and administrators who represent all sects and ethnic groups in the country. Religious classes must be limited to those interested in that subject. Religious courses can be part of school curriculum as selective, not as the core of what most Saudi schools teach now.
It is estimated that only 8% of Saudi school courses are dedicated to sciences. No wonder the country is way behind in sciences and technology. Religious schools’ curriculum should include classes of all brands and sects of Islam as well as non-Muslim beliefs and philosophies. They too should be managed by non-sectarian administrators and should not be supported by the state and public money.
Scientifically, socially, politically and even economically, Saudi Arabia is among the most backward countries. This due to poor educational system and the use of theocratic religious establishment whose assigned job is to make sure Saudis never develop mentally or physically. In reality Saudi educational and religious institutions spend more time indoctrinating people than teaching them to move forward.
How has your life changed as a result of your proactive efforts and endeavors to create change and reforms in Saudi Arabia?
I started this line of work (in one form or another) at an early age; consequently, my activities, attitude, behavior, relationships and daily discourse are shaped by what I chose to do: Promote system of governance where people are the authors of their destiny as opposed to being treated as perpetual minors and subservient to those who are supposed to be servants to the people over whom they preside.
When was CDHR established and what is its mission?
CDHR was almost seven years ago. Its mission is to provide accurate information and analysis to decision makers, think tanks, learning institutions, media, and NGOs here and globally. More importantly, to engage the people of my motherland in a constructive, albeit challenging and thought provoking dialogue when and wherever possible.
Due to its centrality to Islam and possession of large quantities of oil and money, the Saudi regime (the ruling family) plays major roles in Muslims and non-Muslims lives. Yet, the country is ruled by autocratic and theocratic men and institutions that are destabilizing the country in every imaginable way.
They segregate gender, incite people against each other and the rest of the world, ignoring the needs of young men and women (60 to 70% of Saudi population is speculated to be below 25). Unemployment is said to be hovering around 80% among women and 40% among men. Ironically, this is a country that imports 10 million migrant workers to keep the country afloat. These are the issues, CDHR was established to highlight.
How is CDHR instituting change in Saudi Arabia?
I am not sure about instituting. We are hoping that by raising issues of interest to Saudis and the international community, the men in power will rethink their ways of governing and listen to their people screams for change; respect human rights and start a transition where people can own their country instead of being owned by the ruling families that name it and its proud people after themselves, Saud Arabia, the Saudi people.
How can CDHR help those Saudis in Saudi Arabia who are discriminated against or abused?
By making highlighting their grievances and rally support for them among officials, NGOs media outlets, conferences and appealing to the conscience of the international community who has a lot to gain by a democratic Saudi Arabia.
What do you see as the strongest impediment against change and reforms in Saudi Arabia? Why?
The ruling elites. They see empowerment of the people as a threat to their total control of the country, its wealth and every aspect of people’s lives and livelihood. The properly biggest impediment is the ongoing palace fights over whose views and wishes should prevail and how to get a bigger share of the loot. This practice is not only impeding progress and political sharing, but will push the country over the steep cliff on due time.
CDHR supports religious freedom. How do you promote religious freedom then in Saudi Arabia where the only religion recognized and able to be legally practiced in the Kingdom is Islam?
This must change for the benefits of the Saudi people, global peace and security of the country. Saudis are only identified by religion because they have nothing else to identify with other than the name of the family that tyrannically rules them. Saudis have been indoctrinated into believing that their culture and religion are supreme and superior. This erroneous information, narrow the Saudis’ perception of themselves and of the international community. Non-Muslims should be able to build worship sanctuaries in Saudi Arabia and practice their beliefs freely, just as Muslims could do so in any country on this planet. Religious freedom in Saudi Arabia will help the indigenous people to relate to other human beings better regardless of their beliefs and rituals.
Why do you think expatriates in the Kingdom are prohibited from openly practicing their chosen faiths in Saudi Arabia?
For the same reasons above. More important, the Saudi theocrats and their handlers fear the values other religion offers especially women’s rights, tolerance of the “Other”, and the possibility of Saudis embracing other religions. Islam has never been more scrutinized, criticized and abandoned by many of its adherents than now. This is due to exposure of how Islam has been used a tool to justify looting, control, abuses, terrorism and oppression, especially of women and religious minorities.
In regards to women’s rights, if CDHR could bring about change in one aspect of the lives of women in Saudi Arabia, what would it be and why?
No one aspect of Saudi women’s lives can be improved independently for other ingredients. Freedom of mobility, economic independence, control over their lives and the wellbeing of their children, especially in the educational arena. Given the sad state of affairs in Arab and Muslim societies, the only hope for Saudi Arabia and the Muslim World is empower women. Saudi women are intelligent, sophisticated, extraordinarily resilient and hard working people.
Saudi Arabia is the only country on earth that prevents half of its society, women, from contributing to the building of their country. This tragedy has nothing to do with religion or tradition, it’s political and economic. Full employment, an end to the unnatural and repulsive gender segregation and advanced education are easy steps to be taken if the men in power want it.
What do you see as the shortfalls in Saudi Arabia’s educational system and why?
It’s a religious, sect, based system. Knowledge based educational system produce critical thinkers, scientists, independent and adventurous minded people. These kinds of people are hard to control, consequently, threat to the pre-modern intuitions and form of ruling
Is the mission and goals of CDHR seen as a threat to the Saudi Royal family?
It should not because we are not advocating overthrow of the regime, dividing the country or encourage external invasion to impose reforms. However, given the system paranoia (for good reason), its instability, fear of exposure, palace fights, regional shifting powers and alliances, the regime sees us as a threat even though it could benefit from what we are promoting.
Where do you hope to see CDHR in five years?
Open, expands its beneficial and noble work. CDHR does great work for all Saudis, expatriates, the US and the international community. It deserves support from visionary and people who understand the Saudi-Wahhabi lethal doctrine and its support for extremists (at home and worldwide), anti no-Muslims, anti democracy, anti women and anti religious tolerance.
What additional resources, information or services can CDHR provide?
Accurate and cogent analysis of Saudi, society, government’s domestic and foreign polices and their intend objectives and impact on humanity.
How can anyone contact CDHR?
www.cdhr.info
Ali@cdhr.info
cdhr@cdhr.info
202.558.5552
202.413.0084 Ali
Are there any additional comments you’d like to add?
This country, Saudi Arabia and the world are facing a religious ideology that will end in East-West confrontation unless enough visionary and good people start rethinking their ambivalence and start educating the public and putting pressure on their representatives to stand up against those who threaten our democracy and its empowering values. This is a conflict of ideas: Religious totalitarianism verse freedom of choice and the rule of law. These are documented facts.
Thanks, Ali, for your time and allowing me to ask you these diverse questions about yourself and CDHR.
You are most welcome Carol, it’s a pleasure and honor.