RIYADH // Against the background of Egypt's pro-democracy revolution, a group of Saudi professionals have announced the formation of a political party, whose platform rests on the idea of a sharing of political power.
According to one of the party's founders, Abdul Aziz Mohammed al Wohaibi, a lawyer and political activist, the group's decision was "not related" to the events in Egypt, but that "it had created an environment for a movement like this".
Mr al Wohaibi agreed that the members of the group, which is calling itself the Islamic Umma Party, are mostly moderate Islamists, a description used by other Saudis who had read the party's manifesto on the internet, which was posted on February 10.
The party's programme discusses Islam's ability to adapt to the modern age. It also states that the organisers believe in "freedom of all humanity as God has intended" and in political pluralism.
Mohammed al Qahtani, a Riyadh-based human-rights activist, said that he had met some of the party's founders and "they talk about democracy and human rights".
One of the party's initial demands is the "immediate" freeing of political prisoners and financial compensation for their detention. They list more than 200 prisoners, including Saudi doctors and lawyers as well as some foreigners.
The group has sent a letter to King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, which can be viewed on the party's website. The letter is polite, but claims the right to set up a political party. Rather than requesting permission to do so, the letter notifies the monarch that this is what has been done.
Mr al Qahtani said the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association, a human rights and pro-reform group that he and others set up, sent a similar letter to the king to notify him that the association had been established.
Mr al Wohaibi said Saudi Arabia had signed international conventions that recognise the citizens' right to establish peaceful political parties. He added that the group is hoping for a positive response from the royal court.
Many Saudis have said in interviews that they expect some changes in the kingdom to reflect the profound shift in political attitudes set off by the Egyptian revolution.
"It's like when you are in jail and then you are out, not just for Egyptians, but for all Arabs," said the columnist Ahmad al Farraj.
Already, there have been two fleeting protests, one in Jeddah on January 28 to protest against officials' response to the flood there, and one Monday in Riyadh outside the interior ministry by about 50 women demanding the release of male relatives held for long periods on suspicion of terror-related activities.
In an apparent effort to deflect public anger over the floods in Jeddah, Prince Khalid Al Faisal, the governor of Mecca, held a meeting with five prominent media figures during which they questioned him about steps the government is taking to fix Jeddah's flooding problems and a crackdown on corruption.
The meeting was broadcast on Saudi television.
Turki al Ballaa, the manager of a Riyadh law firm, said: I expect the government to do a lot to make people happier." Perhaps, he suggested, there would be a "speeding up" of elections for municipal councils, for which no date has yet been set, and of the construction of several new "economic cities" around the kingdom.
Egypt's swift reversal "broke the stagnated atmosphere in the Middle East and people are looking forward to change," said Mr al Qahtani. "I got an e-mail from Saudi liberals this morning," he said. "They want to establish a political party too."
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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4.
5.
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Name: Salvador Toriano Jr
Age: 59
From: Laguna, The Philippines
Favourite dish: Seabass or Fish and Chips
Hobbies: When he’s not in the restaurant, he still likes to cook, along with walking and meeting up with friends.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
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- 600-seat auditorium
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England: 290 & 346
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Cagliari v AC Milan (6pm)
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Sunday
Udinese v Sassuolo (3.30pm)
Sampdoria v Brescia (6pm)
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Torino v Bologna (6pm)
Verona v Genoa (9pm)
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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May 9, v Malaysia
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May 13, v Malaysia
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The burning issue
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Catchweight 63.5kg: Shakriyor Juraev (UZB) beat Bahez Khoshnaw (IRQ). Round 3 TKO (body kick)
Lightweight: Nart Abida (JOR) beat Moussa Salih (MAR). Round 1 by rear naked choke
Catchweight 79kg: Laid Zerhouni (ALG) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ). Round 1 TKO (punches)
Catchweight 58kg: Omar Al Hussaini (UAE) beat Mohamed Sahabdeen (SLA) Round 1 rear naked choke
Flyweight: Lina Fayyad (JOR) beat Sophia Haddouche (ALG) Round 2 TKO (ground and pound)
Catchweight 80kg: Badreddine Diani (MAR) beat Sofiane Aïssaoui (ALG) Round 2 TKO
Flyweight: Sabriye Sengul (TUR) beat Mona Ftouhi (TUN). Unanimous decision
Middleweight: Kher Khalifa Eshoushan (LIB) beat Essa Basem (JOR). Round 1 rear naked choke
Heavyweight: Mohamed Jumaa (SUD) beat Hassen Rahat (MAR). Round 1 TKO (ground and pound)
Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammad Ali Musalim (UAE beat Omar Emad (EGY). Round 1 triangle choke
Catchweight 62kg: Ali Taleb (IRQ) beat Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR). Round 2 KO
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Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
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We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
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England
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AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
The national orchestra
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Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
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info-box
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Happy Tenant
Started: January 2019
Co-founders: Joe Moufarrej and Umar Rana
Based: Dubai
Sector: Technology, real-estate
Initial investment: Dh2.5 million
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 4,000
Like a Fading Shadow
Antonio Muñoz Molina
Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez
Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
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