Saudis are “pleased and happy” with the four years of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah's rule. All of those that Saudi Gazette talked to expressed their utmost satisfaction, feelings of safety and security, and admiration for King Abdullah's vision and policies, and his courage and determination to go ahead with reforms. To them, the country has not only become “a huge workshop,” but under King Abdullah's leadership, the world is now seen as “a big university” for learning and the promotion of peace and understanding. Dr. Bakr Bin Hamza Khoshaim, member of the Shoura Council, said the anniversary is a “very pleasant time” - the fourth year of King Abdullah's management of the country, which he has done so well. “Everybody is feeling comfortable, pleased and happy. People have seen their hopes and aspirations being realized. There is peace, stability, and security,” Khoshaim added. He said that Saudi Arabia has come far in many activities – industrial, business, and social. Many projects have taken shape, and many more are coming up. “One can hear the sounds and clangs of hammers all over the country, which has become a huge workshop,” he said. Khoshaim said that the Two Holy Harams and Holy cities and sites are being developed with improved and expanded facilities in terms of accommodation, transport, and communications. Haney Aref, former vice president for air transport and IATA affairs, Saudia, and now managing director of Asas, a private aviation services company in Jeddah, said that King Abdullah is a person, who does not ‘trumpet' his achievements. Aref said there has been a big development in the nation's infrastructure, with, for example, such mega projects as the King Abdullah Economic City, which will attract foreign investment, boost the economy and create jobs. He said that in keeping with the Prophet's (pbuh) advice to Muslims to seek knowledge, the education budget has been increased tremendously. Lots of scholarships are being offered to encourage young Saudis to improve their level of education. “Not only has there been an increase in the number of Saudis going abroad for studies, but they are also going to more countries as well, and taking more courses of study – a wide variety and range of specializations,” he said, and added, “The whole world is seen as a university.” He added that in aviation, there is a movement towards an open skies policy vis-à-vis Gulf, Arab and international countries. New aviation companies are encouraged and established in the Kingdom, encouraging competition, to offer better services and facilities to the people. As for a notable achievement during the four years of King Abdullah's reign, he said, that despite the global financial crisis, the cost of living in the Kingdom has been kept low. “In view of the world's problems, we have done very well,” he added. Hanan Al-Madani, a well-known fashion designer, said that remarkable achievements have been made during the last four years. She said that the hopes and aspirations that people had pinned on King Abdullah when he came to power, have been “absolutely realized.” She added that what could have taken forty years, has been achieved in the short span of only four years. Al-Madani said that as a businesswoman, she was very happy that now there are four women on the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry's board of directors, which has meant that a lot of problems, particular to women, have been solved. “Earlier, it was like we used to enter the chamber building by the ‘rear door,' whereas now we attend meetings, conferences with our male colleagues, and are also able to attend business events inside and outside the Kingdom,” she said. “King Abdullah has done an excellent job in changing a lot of things in society, above all the perception about women. There is flexibility, and every day we hear of women occupying positions of responsibility. It all has been so smooth and fast, and I am full of hope that much better things will come in the years ahead. There is a whole chapter in the development plan devoted to women – a remarkable concentration of areas of women's progress and growth,” Al-Madani stressed. Lulwah Al-Homoud, a Saudi artist from Jeddah, who lives in London, said Saudi Arabia has seen big changes under King Abdullah. The country has become more open to the world. King Abdullah has pinpointed the problems the country is facing, which is the first step towards change. King Abdullah came to the throne at a challenging time and he is doing everything in his power to face those changes without dramatic effects on the country. Al-Homoud believes that King Abdullah exceeded many people's expectations. “We live now in a much broader environment on both a national and international level,” she said. “I always pray for him to have the health and strength to be able to continue the great things he is doing for Saudi Arabia and the Saudis. King Abdullah is loved by his people because he is genuine,” she added. She said that the legal system has vastly improved through reconstruction and now the Kingdom can have stronger economic ties with the outside world, allowing for stronger relationships with both the East and the West. According to her, the re-shuffling of the Cabinet was probably the most notable achievement so far. She said that education had been in need of improvement and she welcomed the appointment of Prince Faisal Bin Abdullah who is determined to overcome the weak points in education. Also one of King Abdullah's most notable appointments, she said, was that of Noura Al-Fayez to the new position of deputy education minister in charge of women's affairs. “As an artist, I would personally like to see more cultural activities inside and outside Saudi Arabia,” she said, and added, “Since I live abroad my aim has always been to promote Saudi culture and show the true face of Saudi Arabia to the outside world. I think creativity dissolves differences and creates more understanding on an international level.” Sami Saleh Nawar, general director for culture and tourism, Municipality of Jeddah, said there has been a “very excellent movement” towards all round progress and development, covering all regions of the Kingdom. “While the cities are being developed, and new ones being built, the villages and rural areas are not neglected,” he said, and added that the cultural and heritage aspects have also been taken care of. He said that education, both of men and women, is encouraged. Businessmen and businesswomen are given freedom and opportunities to expand and develop. The hopes and aspirations that people had when King Abdullah took over have been realized. “There is stability, and the country's position on the regional and the international stage has been further enhanced. Not only does King Abdullah personally command respect and honor among world leaders, but Saudi Arabia also has a high position in the comity of nations,” said Nawar. He said that a sign of King Abdullah's leadership and management is that the country has survived the world economic crisis “without being bruised.” Tarek A. Mishkhas, Executive Editor, Urdu News, said that the past four years have been very promising. Some people may not feel it, but when they go out and see how even the rich countries are suffering, they realize the difference. The sheer number of projects going on and planned is a testimony to King Abdullah's vision of development, which he wants all parts of the country to benefit from.
