Members of the Saudi National Dialogue Centre

RIYADH, December 29 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – More than 60 Saudi intellectuals met in Makkah Monday, December 29, for the third day of  a national dialogue on political and religious reforms in the Islamic kingdom.

But the meeting, entitled “Extremism and Moderation: A Comprehensive Methodological Outlook”, was shrouded in mystery and its results overshadowed by a mere "sophistry" claims.

"It is a new experience that could end in success or failure," said Abdel-Rahman Al-Moamar, secretary general of King Abdel-Aziz National Dialogue Centre.

Other than the opening and closing sessions, the proceedings of the conference will be all behind closed doors, Moamar was quoted by Al-Yum newspaper as saying.

Saudi analysts fear the meetings could not bring out fruitful results, saying the National Dialogue Centre could turn into a sheer academic research institution, the Saudi-owned al-Sharq Al-Awsat.

"So, why a number of researchers had been asked - for the first time - by the centre to prepare researches and papers to be debated among the participants not in public,” said one intellectual.

"Even the content of these papers has not been revealed," he wondered.

Saudi writer Turki Al-Hamad said the dialogue does not need an institution to be discussed through, "lest it would be an elite-limited discussion".

Al-Hamad skeptically noted that most of the papers tabled for the meeting came from one trend – the fundamentalists.

"And this negates the idea of dialogue", based on the participation of different parties, said Hamad, who was not invited for the gathering.

"It could not reach out to the ordinary Saudis, but it is still a pioneering step for establishing this institution as we need to spread values of tolerance all among the brackets of our society," he said.

Observers fear the dialogue could be an official attempt to improve a much-tarnished world image and a bow to pressures of the United States, which claims the atmosphere in the country breeds extremism and anti-western sentiments.

The first round of national dialogue was held in Riyadh in June 2003 on the initiative of the Saudi crown prince Abdullah bin Abdel Aziz who had said the National Dialogue Centre "contributes to finding an effective channel for expression in the fight against extremism and fanaticism”.

And the Saudi king has promised in May 2003 to continue political and social reforms and fight terrorism.

'Sophistry' Warning

Meanwhile, professor of political sciences in Umm El-Qura University Abdel-Mohsen Helal warned of turning the national dialogue into mere “sophistry”.

"We have to ask about the recommendations out of the dialogue, will they turn into actions on the ground or not," Helal said, echoing others' fears over the issue.

"In case such recommendations are not adopted, the conference will be an academic one to exchange views and theoretical consultations only,” he said.

The June round recommended extensive reforms in the kingdom, broader political public participation, more judiciary independence and fair distribution of wealth.

But Helal looked optimistic, testifying to the way researches were distributed before the current meeting, "which means broad lines had been actually drawn for discussions".

Women Join Forces

Noticeably, Saudi women were allowed to participate in dialogue, for the first time ever, as 10 women were invited to turn up there.

Their participation, believed to be carried out through closed TV circuits, will focus on matters related to the role of the family and school in bringing up new generations steering of extremism, Saudi newspapers reported.