The E-Majlis |
Saudi Ministers in Social Media
Definition
From Wikipedia
Majlis (also spelled Majalis or
Mejlis, Arabic ,)‫ مجلس‬:is an Arabic
term meaning "a place of sitting"
used to describe various types of
special gatherings among common
interest groups be it
administrative, social or religious in
countries with linguistic or cultural
connections to Islamic countries.
Examples include legislative
assemblies,[1] private homes used
to entertain guests[2] and
remembrance of Husayn ibn Ali.
Also it is the equivalent of the term
legislature in some Islamic-culture
states. It shares its root with the
verb meaning 'to sit ‫' جلس‬,jalasa
(cf. British English 'sitting room)
The Majlis is a platform of government and/or
communications between leaders and subjects
Platform of
Government/
Communications
The “Majlis” has always been
a platform of government and
political communication in the
Arab history, where the chief
of the tribe opens his house
and makes himself accessible
to any and every one of his
subjects who wish to come
and talk to him directly with
their complaints, disputes and
issues, and he acts as a judge,
governor or army
commander.
The Tradition
Continues
In modern Saudi Arabia this
tradition continues as a daily
practice and obligation for the
king, the regional governors
and the ministers. The
“Majlis” has become one of
the government institutions,
regardless of the fact that the
name was given to other
political bodies such as the
Council of Ministers and al
Shoura Council.
"Control freaks, it turns out, are not popular among young Arabs, who are
increasingly living in a virtual world, disconnected from the depressing reality
of their lives. Governments are still imposing absurd restrictions on the media
and civil liberties. But thanks to the internet – and Arab youth, particularly in
Egypt and Saudi Arabia, are among the most enthusiastic internet users –
there are no secrets anymore."
Roula Khalaf
Financial Times
“Citizens, in these difficult circumstances that our country is going
through, President Hosni Mubarak has decided to relinquish the
office of the presidency and has instructed the Supreme Council of
the armed forces to take over the affairs of the country.”
Omar Sulieman’s speech did not exceed 140 characters. Finally
the Egyptian government is speaking the facebook and twitter
language, the language of internet young generation.
Mohammed Alqahtani
Young
Population
•27.1 million
(8.4m non
Saudis)
•Illiteracy rate:
6.7% males
18.2% females
•65% under 25
Mobile
Population
Internet penetration: 5% in 2001 jumped to 41% by the 3rd quarter 2010
70% of the Saudis surfed the net at least once
Saudis spends 133 minutes/day on internet (130 minutes for TV)
95% have mobile phones (65% with internet capability)
35% of mobile subscribers are connected (65 minutes/day)
Mobile net subscription grew by 50%
Saudis watch 36 million video/day on YouTube (150 million minutes/day)
34 million search/day on google from Saudi Arabia
Justice on
facebook
•Dr. Mohamed Al Eissa (an
ex judge) is the youngest
member of the Saudi
cabinet
•With a PhD in Shari’a law,
hew is known to have
untraditional views on Islam
teachings
•He was the first member of
the so called religious
establishment to publicly
support co-ed in KAUST
•He became under attack
from several of the
traditional Sheikhs and the
extremists
Justice on
facebook
•Dr. Al Eissa’s page on
facebook attracts many
fans and followers,
sometimes critics
•He dedicates one hour
each day to check his
messages, answer them, or
post new notes
•He believes that facebook
is a very efficient tool to
communicate with the
public no matter where
they are
Freedom of
Speech
•Dr. Abdulaziz Khoja, the
minister of culture and
information became one of
the most popular ministers
among journalists, media
corps, and intellectuals
•A poet who was university
professor (in Geology), and
later on became the first
Saudi ambassador to Moscow,
created one of the most
controversial pages on
facebook
•The debate on his page
revolves on freedom of
speech and the occasional
ban on media outlets
Freedom of
Speech
•Facebook users
enjoyed the openness
in the minister’s page
by flooding it with
comments on the
media and cultural
scene in the country
•In many cases he
found himself in a
defensive position for
the policies of his
ministry and himself
as an intellectual
Employing the
Unemployed
•Mr. Adel Fakih came
to the Public Service
from the private
sector where he led
on of the biggest
companies
•As the minister of
labor he has to deal
with some of the
hottest issues:
Unemployment and
recruiting foreign
labor
Employing the
Unemployed
•Mr. Fakeih made the
best use of facebook
when he opened a fan
page called “Dialogue
with the Minister”
•Suggestions from
the public
•Working teams in 3
cities
•Analytic studies by
consultancy firms
•Submitting new
laws to government
Thank You