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The epilogue of the Khashoggi case


Dear Saudi friends,

I haven’t slept properly for a week, I must have lost weight too.

This last week has been one of the most challenging week in my life. I had observed your Crown prince for 2 years and I just couldn’t accept what people said, that he was an assassin. I thought this man was nothing but pure light and here was everyone saying that he was the prince of darkness.

I personally wondered how I could ever recover from being so wrong about someone I had spent so much time observing. People say that power spoils those who have it. I couldn’t believe it. I don’t think I ever had to face such a strong moral dilemma.

Now the truth has come out.

I am hungry again.

In my personal case, what tipped the scales was this article a French journalist I had always respected published the day before yesterday. Apparently she just published a book about the Crown Prince after leading an investigation. And she said she thought the Crown Prince was behind Jamal Khashoggi's death.

See, she is a very respected journalist, not someone who would put her reputation on the line to sell a book. Her career spans over 40 years, she is the life partner of former French doctor, former foreign affairs minister Bernard Kouchner. Among the respected journalists of France, she is one of the most respected ones. You would really think that woman had access to accurate information. But she didn’t. 

There is a part she missed, the part where people are left with standing orders and trusted to carry them out using their common sense and their values as Muslims. The people who killed Jamal Khashoggi have betrayed not only the trust your leadership had placed in them, but the founding principles of Islam. That is perhaps what saddens me most.

And your Crown Prince is a misunderstood man.

We are guilty of not understanding him and of not understanding you. But let me tell you, you are not making it easy on us.

Saudi Arabia needs a spokesperson (and not only Ali Shihabi who is doing a fanstastic job in the US), the Crown Prince needs a biography. Just for starters.

You lost the battle of communication because you didn’t enter that battle. You never do, the Crown prince has apparently turned down everyone who wanted to write an official biography about him, I never understood that, always thought he should take the time.

And now, even though your Crown Prince is innocent, the harm is done and it will take some time to recover. Some people will remain with the idea that this is nothing but a cover up.

Oh Saudi Arabia, I feel for you.

Please, please, I am begging you, please let me help you.

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