Righteous Riyadh

I'm back in the Middle East again. Am presently in transit in Dubai, on my way to Riyadh. My second trip in a week, and theirs trip in 2 months. It's the largest client in the practice so the commitment is understandable. 

Yet every time I come here, first to the Emirates city states of Dubai and Abu Dhabi since 5 years ago and now increasingly to Saudi Arabia, I am constantly reminded of how the blessing of  natural resources can quickly turn into a real curse. That coupled with the dogmatic practice of strict religious edicts have really defined this once flourishing lands

Such is the situation Saudi Arabia finds itself in today. This land, with a human history that extends as far as 20,000 years ago, has twice in world history had a global impact:

1. in the 7th century it became the cradle of Islam and the first center of the caliphate
2. from the mid-20th century the discovery of vast oil deposits propelled it into a key economic and geo-political role

The first gave it moral strength, and with that came the will to do great things and Arab civilisation and culture flourished with significant leaps of scientific and artistic progress. But all great dynasties rise and fall. The extent of the fall can be ameliorated though. A once great people can't be held down for too Long. Witness how the Jews and Chinese are stronger now.

But how they fell into this circumstance is a history lesson in itself. In order to regain the lands of Arabia, the ruler, himself a religious man, thought that religion would unite rural, often warring, tribes. Indeed it did, but then as generations pass,  it evolved into dogma blindly followed. Like not permitting women to drive. Like stopping all activities entirely several times a day to pray. It held back the economic development of a rich culture.

Then it found oil in the early 20th century. Because this was the fuel to the world, Saudi became exceedingly wealthy without having to really work. Everyone were well taken care of. Yes, it's benevolence. But it also extinguished the hunger of a proud and once high achieving people. 

The new rulers know they need to forge a different future, a more resilient one. A more diversified one. We are doing our part to help these visionary, courageous leaders. 

Coincidentally, as I as flying back home the last trip I watched a movie on board, "A Long Long Time Ago". It's about life in Singapore in the 60's and 70's when the future was uncertain. It struck me that the two most critical ingredients for progress is good leadership and the spirit/work ethic of its people. 

I wish the Middle East all the best in its journey to a better future. With economic development, as well as social and cultural progress, perhaps the Millenia old conflicts in this region can finally be resolved.