This ‘accidental’ news find is the fourth find, I think. ‘Accidental’ is not the right word, but, at the moment it will have to suffice. The subject matter of the first find was baboons on the road between Mecca and Medinah. Arab News that very day wrote that they were dangerous, even infiltrating Riyadh.
The most recent ‘news find’ was less dramatic speaking of MBS’ planned visit to the UK – which promises to be a big deal. (Another example showing sings of deteriorating vocabulary.)
How did I get to this accidental news find? It was my meandering, my truth seeking fueled the search that brought me here come to think of it (which I just did). I texted Manjinder:
Me: I hope your back continues to be better. I am writing and writing and writing. Such a great feeling.
He: Thanks Alexis. I am better now. You are a great writer. You have amazing style and vocabulary.
Me: Thank you! I learned by doing. We all do. I see my writing as a gift from Allah.
He: Of course.
Me: Thank you for understanding.
He: Always.
Me: Well that, and agreeing. Hahaha I am about to uncover a truth. My other quest in life.
He: I know you are in search of the truth.
Me: I always have been which is why I am a ‘natural’ believer in the Islamic faith.
This is what began my search for the truth. I made a mistake, thinking I listed the Riyadh King Abulazis Library, writing about it on my blog. Much to my chagrin discovered that it was actually the the the King Fahad National Library. Now, I do hate to admit this, but I had no idea who King Fahad was. So I there I was, off on a truth-finding expedition. In the midst of that expedition stumbled upon an Arab News article, written on August 19, 2023. ( Day before yesterday)
The author of this article is Alistair Burt – this man is no dumbie (there goes the vocabulary again). Alistair Burt is a former UK Member of Parliament who has twice held ministerial positions in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office — as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State from 2010 to 2013 and as Minister of State for the Middle East from 2017 to 2019
This grabbed me, a statement that bore both repeating and reporting:
“To those in the UK unfamiliar with the present-day region, the pace of change might be difficult to grasp. It was well summed up in Thomas Friedman’s keynote article for The New York Times in June, contrasting today’s Saudi Arabia and Israel. “If you have not been to Saudi Arabia in the last five years, you may as well not have been there at all,” he wrote From the changing role of women in the workforce — 19 percent in 2018 to 37 percent now — and the liberalizing of social gatherings, to the technology required to shift from a carbon economy and deliver Vision 2030, not just an inventory is required but also an understanding of the pathway and ideological milestones, including the hurdles. UK business and sport has been ahead of the curve, from NEOM as a destination for some of Britain’s most innovative companies to the Premier League and Newcastle United. It is not surprising that Downing Street recognizes this and wants to explore much more than a free trade deal.”
I totally agree, Mr. Burt (if that matters to you and I am sure it does not). This paragraph (the one you are about to see) has major implications for world peace and MOST IMPORTANTLY Palestine.
“What will emerge from the talks with Iran, or with Israel? The UK has a profound interest in both. As a nuclear power and signatory to the Iran deal, the UK will support decreasing tension between Tehran and Riyadh, but will understandably be interested in the terms. On Israel, the UK should welcome the opportunity to draw decades of enmity to a close, and build a new economy in the region that fully and openly includes Israel. But it should also, from its wealth of history, do all it can to highlight the immense opportunity to close the painful chapter on Palestinian injustice, emphasizing that any “normalization” should galvanize all parties to finally deliver Palestinian statehood, and Israeli security and peace, for too many who have suffered for too long.”
Portions of this paragraph must be read, must be repeated, and must be heeded. It is inconceivable that these words would ever be found in Western controlled media. “It is an immense opportunity to close the painful chapter on Palestinian injustice, emphasizing that any ‘normalization’ should galvanize all parties to FINALLY (emphasis added) deliver Palestinian statehood, and Israel security and peace, for too many have suffered for too long.”
The said truth about Western media was spoken in a Friday DM Instagram text.
He: Unfortunately all the Western media and governments are controlled by Zionists.
Me: I agree. My source of information is the Arab News.
I do apologize – cannot figure out how to provide the link to the article. If you found me, (and I found it) you can Google Alister Burt August 19, 2023 Arab News.
My truth expedition did pay off, did discover who King Fahad (or Fahd) was. . Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was King and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia from 13 June 1982 until his death in 2005. Prior to his ascension, he was Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia from 1975 to 1982. He was the eighth son of King Abdulaziz, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia.
That left more questions, the quest continued. Wikipedia is most helpful in these matters as the authors must cite to authority.
“Upon Fahd’s death in 2005, Abdullah was appointed king but he died in 2015. Next came Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is King of Saudi Arabia, reigning since 2015. He also served as Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia from 2015 to 2022. The 25th son of King Abdulaziz, the founder of Saudi Arabia, he assumed the throne on 23 January 2015.Salman was often a mediator in settling royal conflicts among the extended Al Saud family – estimated at 4,000 princes. Salman bin Abdulaziz has been married three times[ and has fathered at least thirteen children, including twelve sons. In August 2010, Salman underwent spinal surgery in the United States and remained out of the kingdom for recovery. He has had one stroke and, despite receiving physiotherapy, his left arm does not work as well as his right. Salman also has mild vascular dementia, specifically Alzheimer’s.
That quest led me to understand the how and the why of MBS’ authority. He, as Crown Prince, needs to be making decisions on behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
This morning emailed my US tax accountant, inquiring about her life and her daughter who was working in Sudan with the US foreign service.
Me: How are you doing? Obviously your daughter not back in Sudan. This world is in horrible shape. There is a ray of hope with MBS however. Not met him but I am definitely within six degrees of separation. I suddenly remembered that play, saw years ago. I am within two degrees of separation of MBS as I met his law school professor. Then a Saudi man who works closely with him. Then a man who knows one of his aides, so that is three degrees. Will bring you up to date as plans evolve.
Of course, I Googled the concept of six degrees of separation, and then the play.
Six degrees of separation is the idea that all people are six or fewer social connections away from each other. As a result, a chain of “friend of a friend” statements can be made to connect any two people in a maximum of six steps. It is also known as the six handshakes rule. The concept was originally set out in a 1929 short story by Frigyes Karinthy, in which a group of people play a game of trying to connect any person in the world to themselves by a chain of five others. It was popularized in John Guare‘s 1990 play Six Degrees of Separation. Six Degrees of Separation is a play written by American playwright John Guare that premiered in 1990.
I did even more research to find the final words uttered by Ouisi Kittredge at the conclusion of the play. “How every person is a new door, opening up into other worlds. Six degrees of separation between me and everyone else on this planet. But to find the right six people.”
Do admit that I have no idea what is going on in my life. Do find peace of mind in placing my trust in Allah (SWT). Perhaps I have already but finally found the six right people. As I said to my US tax accountant
Me: I will keep you up to date as plans evolve.
But I also laughingly say: “Keeping these track of Saudi Princes is a chore. Even now I have trouble keeping track of the men in my life, but this is an added burden. I am not sure why I am taking this on – it is rather interesting. Someday it may come in handy but, at the moment, I cannot imagine the circumstances which would call this knowledge into play. In the good old days, such information made for great cocktail party conversations – but there are no more cocktail parties in my life.”
The photograph is going to be a screen saver. It was from an esoteric ‘publication’ telling women about the wearing of ‘veils’. Although I am not ‘covered’ in Canada I do own each and every version, except for a Burqa. I am not planning to purchase one in the near future.
I do think all of the fuss and bother about what women place on their heads is just fuss and bother. It has been extensively researched on this blog. If you type the word hijab into the search engine you shall find 62 entries.
By the way, Computer Guru Chris corrected the August 8, 2023 blog. Finally I got it right.
