Comment: Observing a Gulf social phenomenon

Through the kind invitation of a Saudi friend, I attended a lecture by Dr Turki Al Hamad last Monday in Bahrain, on Islam and Liberalism.

It was a revelation in more ways than one. The lecture itself was thrilling but even more fascinating were the questions that audience members asked. If Gulf leaders and their Western interlocutors listened a bit more closely, half of the region's problems would be resolved by dynamic intellectuals, able and willing to positively impact on their rapidly evolving societies.

Sensitive subject

The lecture itself was superbly argued, impeccably delivered, and passionately defended. Dr. Al Hamad, a Jordanian-born Saudi national, attended university in the United States as well as Britain, and taught for many years at the King Saud University in Riyadh.

His intrinsic capabilities to speak clearly and to the point were appreciated by an alert public. In fact, the former university professor, who is today a renowned author and columnist - notably for the pan-Arab London daily Al Sharq Al Awsat - dwells deep in providing regular analyses of what ails Arab and Muslim societies and what can be done about it.

In the event, Dr. Al Hamad spoke from detailed notes as well as from the heart on a rather sensitive subject and, literally enthralled his audience.

His presentation was uplifting because of the way in which he broached the subject, relying on Holy Quranic verses to support his thesis, namely that Islam and liberalism (with a small l) were not incompatible with each other.

Moreover, the speaker called on his large audience - perhaps 150-175 attendees - to understand basic notions of liberalism and not reject them because such ideas may have flourished in the West.

His persuasive linkages with key Holy Quranic passages were not pedantic.

Rather, they struck me as being accurate and, equally important, refreshing in their honesty. Liberalism, he concluded, should not be feared because Muslims were familiar with its broad themes.

Exclusive domain

Freedom, individualism and forgiveness were not simply the exclusive domain of "liberals" but also those who followed God's word. Whatever conflicts existed or persist, Al Hamad underlined, were not the result of religious or cultural differences with liberalism but with more mundane issues dealing with power.

As I listened to the hour-long presentation several thoughts crossed my mind.

Most of the questions raised fundamental objections to several of Dr. Al Hamad's points, but everyone argued with authority not just simply to argue, but to come to terms with the difficult choices to be made.

Still, something troubled me all evening, and that was the absence of outside observers. To be sure, a few Arab diplomats were peppered through the audience, along with a few Arab journalists, but there were no Westerners in sight.

Certainly there were no Western diplomats and no New York Times or Washington Post columnists who enjoy unprecedented access to Gulf palaces these days. Insights offered by Western luminaries affect the lives of Gulf citizens and residents alike through the influence they exercise on decision-makers.

It would have been useful to listen to an Arab Gulf thinker and note the exchange that ensued. Such an exposure may well have helped shape perceptions that, presumably, aim to understand what actually occurs in Gulf societies.

Joseph Kechichian, author of several books, is an expert on the Gulf and Middle East affairs.