I think this is a fair point, Saudis do take that job of hosting millions of pilgrims very seriously. I think the main objection to their leadership in the Muslim world is that they are often seen to put their own interests above the rest of the Islamic world. Nothing wrong with that per se, but then they cannot at the same time claim leadership over others. Calling for boycott of Turkey for example is not leadership at all, it is abdication.
I agree with all what you opined.
Saudis have been doing a fairly good job in hosting millions of people (mostly of whom arrive from third world and many are inorganized by nature).
It's laughable that some folks are pointing a few unfortunate accidents that happened in the last 8 decades.
Saudi Hajj management easily outweighs the few mishaps. It's a no brainer.
So credit where due to Saudis.
However, on the other hand, they cannot have it both ways. Claiming the Islamic leadership and then working for their own interest at the expense of boycotting other Muslim nations?
Besides Turkey, their lack of political support for Kashimirs and Rohingiyas was also very disappointing.
Saudi's seem to lack in two venues as oil dependency is decreasing.
They seem to be scared and in panic, and rightly so, because they don't have the foggiest of ideas as to how will they survive and revive their economy if their petrol shop is closed?
They blindly followed a half baked strategy of Dubai and created 100s of building structures - and from what I hear, almost 90% of these "business centers" are now sit empty for years.
What were they thinking? Erecting high towers will start pouring in foreign investments and increase business activities in Saudi? LOL
They also invested in the banking sectors of some western countries.
Sorry, you don't run a large country's economy by off shore business ventures. You must produce at home and you must work hard as a nation. This "Shahana mizaagi" won't go for long after oil shop is closed.
We have seen it a couple of years ago when oil prices plunged, Saudi govt and many big employers didn't have money to pay the laborers.
Second, they seem to be trying to find a refuge under the shelter of USA and Israel with an SOS call to save them.
The way to do this correctly was to create better alliance with Turkey, Pakistan and Malaysia, yet have politically stable yet cautious and peaceful diplomatic and business relationships with rest of the world, including USA.
Here in United States, many Arab govts and some Arab people in general, are considered to be, "Lucky fools who were born on top of a land filled with oil reservoirs".
It's a dog eat dog world out there. There is no concept of mercy when it comes to international politics. Saudis WILL be fools if they believe that their SOS call will get them mercy from the West. And too much alliance with the West will perhaps force them to buyout more Islamic countries, like Turkey.
If Muslim countries don't unite and work with honesty and work smartly (instead of having a begging bowl towards each other), there are better chance to survive and prosper - otherwise, it's the same old 100's of years proven strategy of "Divide and rule" which they will fall victims of.
