Establishing security
"Also among their virtues," he wrote, "is that they secured their country. In all those plains and wilderness that are now under their rule, a man can safely travel alone on his donkey with no guards, especially between the Two Holy Mosques."
"They prevented Arabs from invading one another," bin Sanad added, "and all the Arabs, regardless of their tribes - from Hadhramaut to the Levant - became brothers, the children of one man. Their ruthless disciplining of murderers, thieves, and plunderers was eradicated in the time of bin Saud. The morals of the Bedouins transitioned from savagery to humanity, almost as if secure roads became a pillar of religion."
Bin Sanad's words are, in my estimation, a highly significant testimony, coming from a man who opposed Salafism, which held importance at the beginning of the state's foundation. This is especially true in his note that the consolidation of security was a Saudi concern from the start.
Historians often speak of a first Saudi State, founded by Muhammad bin Saud; a second, established by Turki bin Abdullah; and a third, established by King Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman. I am reluctant to support historians' division of the Saudi state's history into three phases.
Rather, the Saudi state is one, from 1727 to our current times under the reign of King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman. This is evidenced by the fact that Turki bin Abdullah, considered the founder of the second state, is the son of Abdullah bin Muhammad, who was executed in Istanbul after Muhammad Ali's campaign and the destruction of Diriyah.
Consolidation of Al Saud rule
There was no prolonged political vacuum indicating that one state fell and another rose. After the Diriyah events, the sixth ruler of the Al Saud family, the brave Turki bin Abdullah, set about consolidating the rule of Al Saud. Soon after, the new ruler moved to Riyadh, proclaiming it as the Kingdom's capital instead of Diriyah, which was completely destroyed.
When facing challenges, great nations with mature political, military, intellectual, and cultural foundations do not stick to outdated ideas. Instead, they push towards constant development and advancement.
This was the case with King Abdulaziz. His state triumphed in all its battles because he was the most capable of development, the closest to political realism, and the most aware among his opponents, soldiers, and commanders who were unhappy with international relations and modern inventions.
Eradication of terrorism
Here, we must stop at bin Sanad's criticism of the religious pillar on which Saudi Arabia was based. Yes, we have had our share of religious extremism, and many got sucked into the takfiri black hole. But this has ended now, and for good.
As soon as Prince Mohammed bin Salman took control of the terrorism issue, it was over. Today, Saudi Arabia can no longer be accused of extremism and radicalism. Rather, it is the one that will eradicate terrorism in our entire region.
However, terrorism is not our biggest issue.
We are now approaching another new and significant shift, one that refuses to submit to oil dependence. After all, we are Saudis; we are not oil. Our fate should not be linked to oil, which will undoubtedly run out one day.
