Saudi Press Roundup

‘Decisive Storm’ in Syria

Walid Al-Muallen, deputy premier and foreign minister of the Syrian regime, has warned Saudi Arabia against sending ground forces to fight Daesh in Syria without the regime’s permission. According to him, such an act would be considered an invasion.
Similarly, the Iranian officials expressed sympathy to Syria when Commander of Revolutionary Guard Mohammed Ali Jaafri advised Saudi Arabia saying entering Syria is a suicide, especially when the Saudis are already engaged in Yemen.
Commenting on these outlandish claims, I responded to Al-Hurra TV anchor by saying that since when did the Syrian and Iranian officials become so concerned about our soldiers? Perhaps, they are more concerned about the fate of Daesh.
Since Daesh is officially the first enemy of the two parties, with Russia joining them, and fighting the terrorist group for years brought no success, they are supposed to show happiness over any war against it even when it comes from an opponent. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia has been fighting Daesh with the international alliance for more than one year. Members of the alliance such as Turkey, United States, Kurds and France have send ground troops in Syria to carry out special operations.
Likewise, the Iranians, its Shiite militia and Russians did the same with or without permission, so why it becomes highly sensitive when Sunnis (Saudis and Turks) take part in the operation?
If the Syrian regime was keen on preserving its national sovereignty and Arab dignity, why did it allow its foreign allies to fight, negotiate or even run the state on its behalf?
Additionally, Daesh-run areas are not under the control of the regime. Accordingly, the concern shown by the “Persian-Baathist-Russian” axis is meant to protect its own products “Al-Qaeda and Daesh,” which never fought it or Israel.
The real goal of the above axis is to distort the image of Islam by linking it with terrorism, create confusion about legitimate resistance and terrorists in a bid to legalize the presence of the regime and drum up international sympathy for it.
As far as Yemen is concerned, the Yemeni government supported by the Arab coalition and having control over 90 percent of Yemen, is on the verge of entering Sanaa while reconstruction operations are under way and is supported by the GCC countries.
Based on the above success, Saudi Arabia and its allies can expand the “Operation Decisive Storm” to Syria.

— By Khalid Mohammed Batarfi


Commercialization of education

In late 1960s, there was only one university in Riyadh or a few specialized colleges in some major cities across the Kingdom.
At that time, the concept of national belonging and social service was a virtue that motivated owners of mega companies and businessmen and they established King Abdulaziz University in 1967.
The donors also pledged to pay salaries of teaching staff, administrators and rewards for students. Even their donation extended to cover expenses of scholarships for postgraduate students. Businessmen did all that to serve the country and as their national duty.
Paradoxically, private universities and colleges are currently being established by the private sector as a means of investment tools such as car workshops, shopping malls, cafes and restaurants.
Owners of these universities and colleges increase tuition fees forcing many to drop out of colleges. Students attend these universities at certain fees but find it increasing year after year as if they were there to meet the desire of their owners to mint more money.
Now, we have many billionaires and more than 1,000 mega companies but do not have one single university or college on a par with King Abdulaziz University.

— By Said Al-Sirihi


The message of Janadriyah

Those who think Janadriyah is just a festival like other national functions are sadly mistaken. It is more than a festival, as it depicts the history of a nation and the story of a people who want to tell the world that this desert, which has produced oil has also produced other inexhaustible things: Heritage, culture and thought.
It sends a message to the world telling them that this land began with simple houses where men used to earn their living under scorching sun, children used to take up responsibilities at an early and tender age and women actively took part in various aspects of daily lives.
Janadriyah has matured during the past three decades. It no longer displays Saudi heritage only but has expanded to reflect UAE, Kuwaiti, Qatari, Omani, and Bahraini arts; in brief the GCC history.
At the local front, Janadriyah showcases the culture, heritage and identity of each region.

— By Amr Hasan Anani


Saudization of labor market

We extensively talk about job localization but forget the most important elements: Generation of job, replacements and supporting entrepreneurs.
The above elements represent key programs and initiatives for the development of the national strategy formed to localize jobs and, hence, enable small and medium enterprises embrace development drive through identifying labor market needs.
The identification of market needs will, automatically, lead to taking necessary measures in localizing jobs in different firms through encouragement and support of the private sector in accepting the above ambitious strategy including, among others, fixing acceptable minimum wages for Saudi manpower.
Undoubtedly, the application of Nitaqat Program adopted by the Ministry of Labor, led to a remarkable growth in the number of Saudis employed by the private sector during last year.
The program coincided with a series of initiatives for training, qualification and employment of Saudi cadres. The Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) has also effectively contributed to the Saudization of the labor market.
The success of the localization plan definitely depends on the study of the market conditions and to what extent it needs a multiple professions and crafts. Meeting market requirements is considered a good start to continue with the localization process.

— By Mohammed Al-Suwaigh


Our strong army

Every report about the interception of a missile by the Royal Saudi Air Force in the Kingdom’s southern region, reminds us of the days we spent in Riyadh and Dhahran during the 2nd Gulf War in 1991.
At that time, the US military forces deployed Patriot batteries on the Saudi lands in anticipation of the danger of the long-distance Iraqi missiles. Practically, the Patriot batteries could deter the Iraqi missiles with the start of the air war only inflicting minor damages.
At the 2nd Gulf War we, though frightened at the start of the war, felt secured in Riyadh. Nothing changed between the Gulf and Yemeni wars where citizens of the southern border areas are feeling secured, as did citizens of Riyadh and Dhahran in 1991. The only difference between 1991 and 2016 is that the admiration in the first case went to the skills of Americans while in the second case it has been shifted to the capabilities of our men and sons of the air defense forces and thus the guaranteeing of security has purely become in the hands of Saudis.
We have learned from the lessons of the 2nd Gulf War where our combat capabilities have developed and we have become more accurate about works, which were earlier assigned to others for us. I confidently say we will come out from the Yemeni war more powerful and have our human and military well developed thanks to the capabilities of our men in all sectors of the armed forces.

— By Sattam Al-Thaqail


Hiring women in Haia

The Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (Haia) is making all-out efforts for the protection of virtues and realizing security.
Based on population census, women represent 50 percent of the Saudi society, and since most of controversial points on works of Haia employees come from women-related issues. It is high time Haia employed women to avoid unnecessary controversies.
Female members of Haia would be in a better position to deal with women. They could understand women’s psychological, emotional and social needs much better than their male counterparts.
Recent studies have stressed the importance of the above tendency. In this context, the Women Research Chair at Hail University recently issued a study related to the subject titled “Women in hisbah (accountability); its jurisprudential rulings, Shariah objectives and social necessity.”
The study recommended the creation of female jobs at Haia under the name “women hisbah” to cope with the Ministry of Labor regulations. Women can undertake hisbah roles at a number of locations including shopping malls, medical centers, beauty salons, women-only sports centers, girls’ schools, colleges and universities.

— By Abdullah Munwwar Al-Jamili,