With 15 out of the 19 Sept. 11 terrorists being of Saudi descent, Saudi Arabia is constantly in the spotlight of the media.
And yesterday, Joshua Teitelbaum, a research fellow from the University of Tel Aviv, brought the topic to Penn. Teitelbaum delivered a speech to about 30 community members and students in Stiteler Hall last night.
Teitelbaum analyzed Saudi Arabia, the implications of Sept. 11 on the country and how Osama bin Laden fits into the current picture.
"Osama bin Laden is so popular because he was a wealthy guy who rejected a comfortable life for a more lofty goal," Teitelbaum said.
Teitelbaum, one of Israel's leading analysts of Saudi Arabia, lectured on the development of modern Saudi Arabia and its opposition, namely the Islamic Fundamentalist movement. Those opposing modernization object to Prince Abdullah's attempt to balance traditional Islamic values and modern ideas.
Currently, Teitelbaum said, the regime feels under siege from many directions. Not only is the Saudi family being criticized by the fundamentalists but also by the United States for initially not assisting in the War on Terrorism.
Teitelbaum concluded with an optimistic assessment for the future of Saudi Arabia. Despite the Islamic opposition and high rate of unemployment, the Saudi family still has a firm grasp on the press, the economy and religion.
"These produce challenges but not a threat," Teitelbaum said. "The Saudi Family is well equipped."
In the question and answer period following the lecture, a Penn student from Saudi Arabia offered a unique perspective to the audience. Growing up in Saudi Arabia, he said that, contrary to many misconceptions, there are very few religious classes in schools and women can drive cars, albeit in a limited district.
"The younger generation is modernized but until they grow up, the changes won't be obvious," the student commented.
College senior Jeremy Spiegel questioned the Saudi's, and in particular Prince Abdullah's, balancing act in trying to make Saudi Arabia, a government often viewed to be synonymous with Islam, a modern state.
"This is the most difficult part to understand, especially considering the strength of fundamentalists in the country," Spiegel said.
Overall, however, Teitelbaum presented strong historical background on the development of the religious opposition to the Saudi government.
Teitelbaum's lecture was one of two in this week's Middle East Public Lecture Series. Wednesday, University of Arkansas Professor Gwenn Okruhlik will discuss "The Dynamics of Dissent: Islamism and Reform in Saudi Arabia."
