It seems like King Salman is trying to open up Saudi society to a little bit more on moderate version of Islam and putting all the pieces in place to placate the non-Muslim communities in Saudi also.  Certainly, it is a step in the right direction to invite flow of investment from the outside world.  Saudis cannot survive for ever on the revenue generated by the sale of oil because its availability is going to be over one day.  However, this writer has his apprehension about the sincerity of Kingdom's intention and determination to really open up Saudi's society to the extent appreciated by all the non-Muslim communities.  The reason being that there is still no restriction or penalty imposed by the Saudi Government on the fanatic clerics who openly deliver  sermons to the Muslim community in Saudi Arabia.  Those sermons have a great influence to divert Muslims to participate in destructive activities by joining non-state fanatic militant groups.So, it appears that King Salman's efforts to bring Saudi society to a moderate Islam version ironical because  he is not doing anything to prohibit spreading the Wahhabism version of Islam.  If he is really serious in his efforts, he ought to restore the fundamental human rights to all people living in Saudi Arabia irrespective of their gender, race and religion along with allowing non-Muslims to visit Mecca and Madina.  Christians, Hindus, Jews and Budhists etc. allow everybody to visit their religious shrines, why cann't they visit Muslim religious shrines?

China blocked the petition in the UN to declare Mr. Azhar as an international terrorist should not surprise Indian authorities. The reason being that the non-state terrorist actors in Pakistan are supported by the Pakistani Military and ISI nexus, and also China has a very big investment of around $46 Billion in the CPEC project. China will not like to upset that investment project because in the long run it will serve China both its military and economic interests. With this investment, China is expanding its tentacle which fulfills its territorial expansion objective, and also it helps China to bring its armed forces further nearer to the Indian border. As we know, China has already sent thousands of workers and armed men in Balochistan to work and protect this CPEC project, Chinese languages are being taught in Pakistan along with Chinese small business are opening their operations in Pakistan. Hence, India ought not to expect any type of helping hand from China in this matter. However, India can and should play a counter-China game to help the rebels in the Western part of China which is seeking separation from China

This latest statement of the Saudi government to turn Saudi state as a moderate Muslim state is a sigh of relief for millions or may be for billions of people in this world.  The strict following of Wahhabism version of Islam by the Saudi government has created lot of problems for the whole world.  Better late than never.  Turning towards moderate ideas of Islam will make many terrorist activities disappear which means peace and tranquility in the world, and also it will save lots of innocent lives.  This decision by the Saudi government needs to be applauded by all civilized nations.  The money spent on madrasses to train martyrs will be invested for the welfare of people.  This writer just wonders if other Muslim countries supporting jihadi ideology will take a cue from the Saudis and stop assisting fundamentalists and divert their financial resources towards meaningful channels.  I think it will be a good idea if the Saudi government publishes details of its new policy explaining modern Islam - for example, their policy towards stopping Jihadi ideology through mosques and madrasses, equal rights for all genders, freedom of speech and fundamental rights, equal rights for all people practicing different religions etc.

The Saudi government officials are trying to portray its soft religious side of government by openly rejecting terrorist methods adopted by the Muslim fundamentalists. One wonders if the Saudi government is really serious about what they are trying to say. Would the world really take them on their face value and hope the terrorism will decline because of support being withdrawn by the Saudis. If what the Saudis are saying is true, then one believes that they will not preach hatred and ill will against the non-Muslims in the mosques. One will also believe, (a) they will disseminate a message of peace, love and harmony with others, (b) they will not fund Madrasses in which all the youngsters are brain washed who become future martyrs, (c) openly reject Jihad against innocent people and (d) the most appreciated gesture will be to allow non-Muslims also ( if they want to) to visit Mecca and Madina like other religions who allow people of all faiths to visit their respective shrines. In addition, one must not undermine the importance of individual freedom and exercise of basic fundamental rights enshrined under the democratic system of government. This writer, however, has his apprehension if the Saudis will be able to accomplish above cited objectives - but it will be a true test of Saudis.

This article is full of ironical statements of Pakistani governmental authority.  In this article, Pakistani government admits that Mr. Saeed was involved in the 2008 attack on India.  It also admits that he is one of the militants in Pakistan, hence the blockade of registering a party supported by him along with other militants.  Also, it is a public knowledge that USA has declared Mr. Saeed's organization as a terrorist organization with a $10 Million bounty on his head.  With all these facts present, Mr. Saeed and his militant company is still surviving in Pakistan and they move around with full impunity in Pakistan.  Is it because the Pakistani government with the full support of ISI using these militants against India in Kashmir?  If that is the case, which I think is 100% true, how the action of Interior Ministry against Mr. Saeed's new party will sit with the ISI, or should I say that this restriction against the MML is just an eyewash to satisfy the international community especially the USA.  Pakistan has been making fool of the whole world with its dual face as far as terrorism is concerned.  It is not going to happen any more with the new sheriff in the Washington DC.  Pakistan has to imprison all militant groups in Pakistan by declaring their activities as illegal, stop ceasefire violations at the LoC.  Also, create a transparent evidence that Pakistan does not have any place for any sort of terrorist activities by eliminating all kinds of material, financial and directional support to the militant groups.  Instead of financing these groups, earmark those funds to educate your subjects, create better health facilities for them and extend an olive branch to India to ameliorate relationship between two countries.  These are the only ways to improve Pakistan's prestige in the eyes of an International community.  JUST PUTTING ANY INFORMAL RESTRICTIONS ON THESE MILITANT GROUPS WILL NOT SOLVE ANY ON GOING PROBLEM.  BE PROACTIVE.

This country's constitution allows people to express their opinions freely so long as they do not produce any destructive results.  Players are expressing their opinion by kneeling down at the anthem.  President Trump is also expressing his opinion about players' attitude towards the national flag and anthem.  There is no physical destructive end result.  However, in my opinion, and I am sure the President has the same idea behind, when people living and earning livelihood in this country do not respect the national flag and national anthem, they seem to relay an impression that they do not love this country.  They are just after making money without any real love and affection for this country.  That is the bottom line.  Unfortunately, liberals are making it a racial issue which is absurd.  As far as penalty is concerned, it is up to the employees and employers to follow or not to follow the terms and conditions of the contracts they have signed.  Sports authorities are just stretching this issue for no reason.  I think steelers found the best way to handle this issue - stayed in the locker room when the anthem was played.

Finally, under pressure, Pakistan is contemplating to regulate their weekly sermons in the mosques.  It is definitely a step in the right direction.  The article states that the topics of discussion will be chosen by some governmental authority, but it does not go into detail what the Mullah is supposed to say or interpret about those selected topics.  Would the interpretation or explanation of those topics  be an approved and written statement which Mullah is supposed to read or is it going to be left on his own interpretation which could be questionable.  Also, simply selecting topics of discussion is not enough to stop the radicalization of youngsters in the Friday prayer, it needs to be monitored by the presence of a governmental authority, and if possible, recording all the sermon ceremony of each Friday.  The idea is to tighten the screws to avoid radicalization of people.  Also, there needs to be a severe penalty declared if any mullah violates these guidelines.  In addition, Pakistan has to show to the world that any open jihadi propaganda will not be acceptable on its soil.