Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

IN early March 2005, I walked proudly into Al Hedaya Elementary School to cast a vote for the first time in my life. Saudi Arabia was holding its first national election, with voters selecting municipal councilmen. But since then, little democratic progress has been made. The government decided to delay elections for municipal councils that were scheduled to be held this year. Members of the Shura Council, the body that serves as a Parliament, are still appointed by the king, despite repeated calls to elect them.

When President Obama speaks to the Muslim world, he will doubtless try to reassure us that America is not at war with Islam. But if he directs his words exclusively to the people — and not to the kings and rulers — he will be making a mistake.

The masses will not listen to Mr. Obama unless he also addresses the leaders who deny us basic rights. He must signal to them his intention to change the longstanding policy of turning a blind eye to the undemocratic practices of America’s Arab allies. We don’t need any more nice words. Our government likes to talk about reform, but the glacial pace of change leaves young people like myself hopeless and frustrated. My friends and I always talk about leaving the country. We want to live in a place where we can be ourselves.

I still keep the paper from my first (and so far the last) elections with the word “Voted” stamped in blue ink on it. That ink has started to fade, just like my hopes for change.

Ahmen al-Omran is a blogger.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/03/opinion/03Ahmed.html?ref=todayspaper&pagewanted=print

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