Saudi Arabia Why no Revolution on The 11th of March

Blog: Qusay
Blogger: Qusay Fayoumi
URL: http://tinyurl.com/64sjynb

Despite nationwide protests have failed to take off earlier this month, Saudi youth still can’t see themselves but part of the revolutionary movement sweeping the whole region, with the same set of demands: liberty, democracy, social justice and an end to corruption and dictatorship.
Yet the huge hike in benefits introduced by the Saudi king after a few hundred protestors turned out for Friday’s scheduled “Day of Rage” , was partially successful in averting an uprising in the country.

Saudi engineer and blogger Qusay believes a Saudi Arabian revolution is unlikely to happen. For him, a revolution is done be people not through social networks used by tech-savvy young online activists who are, for him, detached from reality and know nothing about what the average Saudi Arabian citizen want. He also thinks a revolution pushing for a western style freedom is not what the majority of Saudis really pledge for.

Saudi Arabia Why no Revolution on The 11th of March
March 13, 2011
http://tinyurl.com/6234ruk

Maybe it was the Saudi inshallah. Who knows? You will get a thousand and one differed answers to that question, but the reality is, Saudi is not ready for a full blown revolution, and when and if it might be… well, there will be some American artillery worth $60 billion dollars (1) to see that it won’t happen, either that or oil will rise to record highs that our neighboring countries and their neighbors will want to invade Saudi, as I said, who knows?
The fact of the matter is, no revolution happened on the 11th of March, and it won’t on the 20th of March either, if anyone wants to bet, I need the money at the moment, and will put down my paycheck on the table.

The 11th or Mars (March) according to some
And here is why it didn’t and won’t, according to me.
The “young online activist” are detached from reality. Most have no rapport with the average person, or constituency as my good friend calls it. Imagine MLK had his dream, but no following, those that poses a threat are already in jail, you know, like university professors who can influence a large body of students year after year, or religious leaders who know how to quote the holy book and prophetical sayings, but not in a favorable way depending on the season
While some online activists are doing a good and admirable job, most are pushing for a western style freedom (whatever that is), due to being influenced by that which they have seen and read, hence the label “taghrebi” or or wanting to be westernized, a Saudi version of the american uncle Tom.
However, that is not what the average Saudi is exposed to, nor what he or she want, nor can the two relate.
I am not saying it is all good, and people are not feeling the pinch. Most in our vast and empty kingdom, including my self, do not own a home, nor do we own a piece of land, and almost all, if not all of the King’s newly created orders do not benefit me either directly nor indirectly, but they apparently affect a large segment of Saudi society.
I do hope though, that these shake ups actually make the wheels of change turn faster than a hamster spinning on a wheel and sipping on an energy drink.
While some think that twitter or Facebook actually help win a revolution, compare and contrast Libya and Egypt as your homework, they still actually have the power to fly or sink your whale… PEOPLE win revolutions not social networks, otherwise, a tweet, without doing something, is like asking your maid to get you a glass of water, complaining about the glass, and the water, and not doing anything about it… except complain… you know?

Comments:
Angryman:
After the death of the prophet Sauid Arabs changed and only knew how easy it was to kill others, and would therefore be never willing to die for cause of freedom. They havn’t understood the meaning of self sacrifice.They seem to belong to those companion class race who fled in the battlefields and always embarassed the Prophet….
I also need the money at the moment, and will put down my paycheck on the table for this claim.

Salma
Well said! I think propaganda also played a major role in keeping people home. The respected body of the Ulema told people not to protest and warned that it will only bring chaos. Its also the amount of fear and lack of understanding. In a place like saudi, my guess would be to educate people on why there needs to be a protest before expecting anyone to show up. And.. staying away from western like notions will also help.
I’m certain that Saudi will see changes in the near future.. but I think a few more Arab leaders need to be thrown out before we see that happening.
m. a. h.
how about this: there was no revolution because the overwhelming majority simply love the king… and i do mean love. i wouldnt expect you to understand, but take from your typical saudi… people love that guy

References:
(1) Writer referring to an article published by the American Wall Street Journal titled (Saudi Arms Deal Advances) September, 2010, detailing a deal between the U.S and the kingdom in which the Obama administration is set to notify Congress of plans to offer advanced aircraft to Saudi Arabia worth up to $60 billion, the largest U.S. arms deal ever.
http://tinyurl.com/3957xk2