RIYADH — Nasser Bin Ali Al-Mussa is the first blind member in the Saudi Shoura Council. He spoke to Okaz/Saudi Gazette as the sixth Shoura Council began the first session of its fourth year on Wednesday. Al-Mussa, who lost his eyesight before he completed his first year in school, does not feel any different from other members who can see. As the formal educational institutions refused to enroll him, Al-Mussa had his education at the Al-Nur Institute for the Blind. He was sent on a scholarship to the United States to complete his university education and returned with a PhD in special education. On coming back to the Kingdom, Al-Mussa joined King Saud University in Riyadh before he was appointed supervisor of special education at the Ministry of Education. He said he uses two methods to make his interventions in the council. "When the reports of the various government departments are discussed, I write my comments in Braille but I intervene normally like others during routine discussions," he said. Al-Mussa has spent three years in the council. He strongly believes that the council has made tangible achievements in the domain of legislation and supervision. Asked why the citizens are not feeling the effectiveness and impact of the council, Al-Mussa attributed this to the legislative role of the council. "Some citizens expect the council to do executive jobs and provide them with direct services. Yes, the council is attempting to do this but is slowed down by its focus on legislation and supervision," he said. Al-Mussa believes that the public opinion everywhere in the world has a negative look at the parliaments. "We are no exception in this case," he said. Al-Mussa hoped that the council would be able to amend the system of caring for the people of special needs. "The proposed higher council for the affairs of the disabled has not been established yet nor its secretariat general though it had been stipulated in the system of government," he said. He asked for the establishment of a special authority for the affairs of the disabled instead of the higher council, which has not seen the light yet. Al-Mussa, who used to criticize the council, has changed his view when he became a member. "The look at the council from outside is different from the look when you are inside," he explained. He believes that many people who criticize the council are doing this because they are away from it. "Once they come closer to the council, these people will change their views," he said.
