Hundreds back Facebook call for Saudi protest
DUBAI, Feb 24 PHT (Reuters) - Hundreds of people have backed a Facebook campaign calling for a "day of rage" across Saudi Arabia next month to demand an elected ruler, greater freedom for women and release of political prisoners.
The page called for a "revolution of yearning" on March 11 in the kingdom, the world's biggest oil exporter and which is ruled by an absolute monarchy.
More than 460 people had endorsed the page by Wednesday morning, but it was impossible to verify how many of them were inside Saudi Arabia or whether any protest would materialise.
Arab uprisings which overthrew leaders in Tunisia and Egypt were mobilised by youths using social media, but activists in Saudi Arabia say a recent Internet call for a demonstration in Riyadh failed to bring anyone onto the streets.
A protest last month in Jeddah after floods swept through Saudi Arabia's second-biggest city was quickly broken up.
The demands included "that the ruler and members of the Shura (Consultative) Council be elected by the people" as well as calls for an independent judiciary, release of political prisoners and the right of freedom of expression and assembly.
They also sought a minimum wage of 10,000 riyals ($2,700), greater employment opportunities, establishing a watchdog to eliminate corruption and cancellation of "unjustified taxes and fees".
Other requests included rebuilding the armed forces, reforming Saudi Arabia's powerful and conservative Sunni Muslim clerics, and "the abolition of all illegal restrictions on women" in the kingdom.
Despite its oil wealth, Saudi Arabia is grappling with unemployment that hit 10.5 percent in 2009. It offers its 18 million nationals social benefits but they are considered less generous than those provided by other Gulf Arab oil producers.
Saudi state television said King Abdullah, returning home on Wednesday after months of absence for medical treatment, would grant benefits to Saudis worth billions of riyals.
The measures did not include political reforms in the absolute monarchy such as fresh municipal elections demanded by liberals or opposition groups. The kingdom has no elected parliament and does not tolerate public dissent. — Reuters
Why isn't there any protests in the rest of Africa?
Folks... the situation in Qatar doesnt need protest against the government here.... Qatar and its Citizens are lucky enough to have a ruling Family who really cares for the Qatar Population. If u analyze,,,,, Every Qataris do have a good standard of living...Free education,, Health, Power,water.... Freedom to express ( With some limitation). Hats off to,,King and Queen of Qatar... for these accomplishments.
They also sought a minimum wage of 10,000 riyals ($2,700), greater employment opportunities, establishing a watchdog to eliminate corruption and cancellation of "unjustified taxes and fees".
Good Luck!
Looks like the $ 35 billion was not enough to keep the guys quiet. Well loads of money, giveaways and toys may get the job done in the short term but people will want to leave in freedom and dignity and that cannot be held back forever.
We need to create an anti Facebook group on Facebook.
who's joining? :)
so is prostitution in kerela Lol :P only a few tribes are honored with anti bashing privileges in QL HAHA
okay. i got carried away by the mods comment on that forum
FACEBOOK is EVIL Its A Mere Waste OF Time For the Youth
Saudi Govt. announce 15% increase in the basic salary to all Govt. sectors, so there's no question of protest or instability within the country!! they can better take care of their citizens!!
I will come back to Qatar on 9th March!
Yes Baldrick, Poor Saudi guys, I am sure that no one from Saudi will be able to use Facebook now.
Knowledge is that which benefits not that which is memorized - Imam asShafi.
the above is my opinion on that video...
Many (well not really) are worried about the arrival of Dajjal (anti-christ) but the real worry is that which dwells within oneself.
Why is the king just handing out cash?
How about creating employment opportunities so that everyone can earn as per his abilities.
True python... partly the reason could be this speech made by Sheikh Imran in 2003:
&sns=fb
watch it!
ExLegend No chance in Qatar
so is Qatar in the pipeline of all this unrest... ?
All this will do is result in FB being blocked in Saudi!
QL Jazeera News Channel ! ALL Forums are now like T.V Channels