This move neither threatens our culture nor is it against our religion as many have mistakenly contended in the past. Indeed, the King Abdul Aziz Center for National Dialogue and the Ministry of Education have signed a partnership agreement to promote the culture of dialogue and respect for others — tolerance, moderation and freedom of expression, which are the basis of our Islamic principles. The organizations will cooperate in scientific studies, public opinion surveys and training programs, and the center will provide the ministry with technical support and train teachers in the basics of dialogue.
Good education influences positive change and helps us create a healthy environment. When we provide our graduates with quality education, we will be able to turn our nation into a more advanced and knowledge-based society. The current initiatives can propel our nation forward and pave the way to a more effective cultural transformation of Saudi society.
With energy prices high and the government reporting budget surpluses, it is easy for some to ignore the brutal consequences of inaction. That is why the government is advancing these important measures, and the leaders of our business, academic and financial institutions are supporting them.
If energy prices fall, inaction leads to a dismal future of poverty, ignorance and despair for our nation, but if we reduce our dependence on global energy markets through developing our greatest resource — our people — through education, we secure the future prosperity of our nation and ensure its competitiveness in the global economy. King Abdullah’s vision for a prosperous Saudi Arabia and a better future for his people will only be realized when all Saudis support these initiatives. He can point the way for us, but we have to truly take his words to heart to help convert this vision into reality.