Saudi…where can we start

Saudi…. how can I start expressing how I feel about the drastic changes happening there?

To start with, let me say what Saudi personally means to me as a Bahraini citizen.

In simple words I love this country and its leadership and appreciate each and everything they have done for us as people and as a nation.

The way we have been taken care of, protected and embraced is one thing and the stances they have always taken towards Bahrain is another and they both of course complement each other as they all stem from the brotherly ties between the two countries and their people.

The green flag has always, to me, represented honour.

I have always viewed it as power and every day it succeeds in proving to the world what this flag represents.

What has just happened in Saudi once again proves the leaderships power and will to change the social life of people in that beloved country. Social changes that certainly lead to economic growth.

When a royal decree was issued allowing women to drive, we all received this with a shock yet happiness that cannot be described.

But this decision was followed by another strong message from the Saudi leadership when millionaires accused of corruption were arrested and held in custody. The leaderships message was loud and clear. No one is untouchable and anyone can be held accountable for breaking the laws.

This was followed by announcing that theatres will be opened soon and we all stood shocked yet impressed by the strength, and power this leadership holds, its ability and strong will to make sudden and not gradual changes.

We all initially believed that the changes will be gradual but this was not the Saudi case. The change was sudden and drastic and today we all look at it is a role model for sudden change that is certainly possible.

These reforms, initiated by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz go in line with the Vision 2030 programme initiated by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to enhance where Saudi continues to stand on the international map.

The plan evolves around reducing the kingdoms dependence on oil, diversifying its economy and developing public service sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, recreation, and tourism.

It aims at reinforcing economic and investment activities, increasing non-oil industry trade between countries through goods and consumer products, and increasing government spending on the military, manufacturing equipment and ammunition.

Details were announced on 25 April 2016 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and if you analyze each and every objective of this vision you realize that the steps that have just been taken are steps in the right direction to achieve these goals in the next 12 years.

Saudi, I can bet on, will not stand at just these steps and measure that have been taken and its position and stances towards international issues and crisis will be even be stronger than they ever were.

This is not just about allowing women to drive, or fighting corruption. This is much bigger than we could imagine and we as the people of Bahrain are so proud that the country we see as our roots, our future is moving so fast because we do know that this will have a direct impact on us and we will move in that direction too.

In 12 years, the vision will be achieved, if this is how it has started. And we will see the message Saudi will send to the world and it will certainly be a very strong one.