Author: M. K. Gokhale
Publication: Tarun Bharat (Marathi
Daily)
Date: February 9, 2002
(Translated excerpts from Marathi)
Ibn Saud freed Arabia from the yoke
of Turkey and hence it is called Saudi Arabia.
In olden times, when there was no
commutation facilities, it was a severe ordeal to travel through the desert
of Arabia and return home. Now this ordeal is over. But another danger
has taken its place. Every year, events like fire to tents, stampedes etc.
have become a common phenomenon. But there are some uncommon events also.
In 1979, one Sunni Muslim announced
himself to be the New Prophet and his companions took over the Kabah Masjid.
There was a fierce battle between these people and the Saudi soldiers in
which minimum 100 persons (official figure- actual might be much more)
were killed.
In 1987, a still more terrible incident
took place. Ayatullah Khomeni of Iran issued a Fatwa stating, "Saudi ruling
dynasty is a wicked and unbeliever, It has no right to keep control
over the holy places of the Prophet." As a result, the Irani piligrims
made great demonstrations before the Kabah. In the battle that ensued,
about 400 people were killed.
This year's Haj is being celebrated
under the deep shadow of Black Tuesday. Out of 19 accused for it, minimum
15 are Saudi Muslims. The budget for the Haj this year is very high. On
Jeddah port, an American Security agency has been employed. Its employees
are standing along with the Govt authorities and they keep scanning the
eyes of the people arriving. Their sharp sight immediately zeroes on the
suspects, who are taken to a special room where a sophisticated machine
digitally scans their eyes, in the next room French officers take
their fingerprints and in minutes a file containing all these details along
with information on the suspect's passport, visas etc. is ready. In a short
time, the pilgrim is free to go to the town.
Saudi Arabia the motherland, fatherland
etc. of Islam, but its Government has been consistently backing the Western
nations all along. When Israel was created, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan
were enraged and decided to annihilate it. But the Saudi Arabia never participated
in this struggle. At the most, it was engaged marginally without actually
getting involved.
Saddam Hussain of Iraq attacked
Kuwait. Kuwait is a Muslim country and Iraq is also a Muslim country. But
an outsider America intervened and set Iraq ablaze with Bombs. In this
war too, Saudi Arabia was the partner of America. Even their own millionaire
Osama bin Laden declared jehad against West and America. And yet
Saudi Arabia is on American side only. Hence this Jehadi leader had
to take asylum in the hilly tracks of Afghanistan.
For more than ten years American
army has established a large base in S. Arabia who is bearing its expenses.
Now the Saudi officers are helping American soldiers in hunting the Al
Quaida's terrorists hiding there..
Now here is a different tune from
the Crown Prince Nawaf Ibn Abdal Aziz (who is de facto the Sultan as the
sultan himself is bedridden for long time). He has criticised President
Bush's stand on Israel - Palestine Conflict and stated that America should
respect Arafat as a Peace Messenger. He has also said that he feels
sympathy for the cause for which Osama bin Laden is fighting. However,
he does not justify the 11th Sept incident.
According to American sources, 95%
Saudi Arabian youngsters in the age group of 25-40 support Osama Bin Laden.
But again, Nawaf declares that he
does not endorse Osama's demand that American Soldiers should be driven
out of Saudi Arabia. However, he will not approve of US attacking
Iraq or any Arab or Islamic nation henceforth..
In short, they want the cake and
eat it too. He want to criticise American policies, but have its soldiers
so that he is well protected and wants support America all the time, but
want to declare himself to be with the Arabic/Muslim Nations.
