Riyadh: The Saudi Ministry of Interior has responded positively to calls made by some prominent academic and religious figures in the kingdom that tribal surname be replaced with the family names of citizens.

"Every citizen is free to get rid of his tribal surname and replace it with his family name," said an official source at the Ministry of Interior.

Speaking to the local media, the official said it was not mandatory for citizens to produce certificates showing their tribe in order to complete the procedures for issuing new IDs with their family names.

"Citizens need different surnames to distinguish them from one another," the official said.

He noted that the Riyadh-based National Information Centre has a comprehensive database with all relevant information on citizens. Officials from any region can have access to this information whenever they need it, he pointed out.

The official's clarification came in response to an appeal made by a group of academics, writers and officials from the southern province of Al Baha to the Ministry of Interior that tribal surnames be dropped from IDs and be replaced with family names.

They cited some examples of the misuse of tribal surnames by some people to display tribal supremacy and arrogance.

"Such tendencies will adversely affect national unity and integrity, in addition to hampering the overall progress and development of the nation," they cautioned.

Abed Khazandar, a writer from the region, said an intensive national campaign would be sufficient to change the mindset of people rooted in their tribal pride.

Saeed Al Gamdi, a noted academic, also supported the move. The initiative coincides with a warning from prominent scholar Shaikh Abdurahman Al Sudais, who is also the Imam and khateeb of the Haram Mosque in Makkah, against clinging to tribal and sectarian partisanship and arrogance.

Delivering a lecture at the Taiba University in Madinah on Sunday, Shaikh Abdurahman said such feelings are detrimental for national unity and integrity.

"Those who are ashamed of speaking out about their nationhood," Shaikh Abdurahman said, "are in a sense stabbing their nation in the back and opening up ways for those who want to undermine the stability of the country."

Do you know any other country that uses tribal surnames? Does it make an impact? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form bellow to send your comments.


Your comments


First time that I have come across a country where the Government/rule interferes even with the name of a person!
Kevin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 22, 2008, 14:13

Tribal names are used in India to identify disadvantaged groups who are entitled to preferential treatment of education, jobs etc.
Asad
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: May 22, 2008, 08:42