Adnan Jestinieh

Wake Up from Your Negligence: Documents Are Stronger than the Language of Threats

July 18, 2026 - 00:01 | Last updated July 18, 2026 - 00:01

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For over a month, I have been following journalistic language that, in its content, diverged from the logic of argument with evidence, and unfortunately moved toward a discourse dominated by threats and warnings, in a sports issue that was a matter of disagreement and controversy, sparked by colleague Mohammed al-Qadadi through a video talk on a social media platform.

As a result, our veteran journalist colleague Saleh al-Amoudi published a series of articles in which he recalled, in his influential style, important memories of the pioneer of the Saudi sports movement, Prince Abdullah al-Faisal — may God have mercy on him — memories he documented in a book, among which was evidence proving that the information al-Qadadi attributed to the prince has no basis in truth, in whole and in part.

These memories, with the historical facts they contained, received widespread reactions, mostly of relief and celebration, for what they represented as a rich historical treasure. Al-Amoudi excellently succeeded in choosing the right time to reveal a part of this legacy, bringing it to light after it had remained confined to a book that has not yet been published. It was a valuable opportunity to uncover beautiful and unknown aspects of the late prince's personality, leaving a good memory after his death, recorded in the memory of the current generation and future generations.

Among the reactions I followed, a counter-reaction from Al-Ahli fans emerged, which is normal and customary, provided it takes the right path in dialogue — that is, to confront opinion with opinion, argument with argument, and present evidence that refutes what was stated in a documented book that has not yet been published, the author of whom has explained the reasons for that, honored by the trust of Prince Abdullah al-Faisal.

But for the reaction to turn into a noisy discourse dominated by the language of threats, intimidation, and warnings, with demands directed to more than one party to prevent the publication of what that book contains — that is unprecedented. Even stranger is reaching the point of denying historical facts that should have been welcomed and appreciated, especially since the author took care in every article to present Prince Abdullah al-Faisal with all the appreciation he deserves, praising his beautiful personality, humility, and rich history as a national documentary treasure obtained from a great figure who had an impact on the journey of a great nation.

I wished that instead of resorting to a language no longer acceptable, they would turn to the logic of dialogue and rely on documented facts, audio and video, that refute the inaccuracy of what came out in that book.

For we — praise be to God — live in an era that has established the principle of equality among citizens, and the rights of all are protected before the system. Whoever has a right, the regulations and laws guarantee full access to it, far from the language of intimidation, guardianship, and attempts of confiscation.

I could have mentioned the name of whom I am addressing with this opinion, hoping they would be open-minded and accept it in a sporting spirit, but I preferred to reciprocate in the same manner, as a journalist writer whose repeated mistakes I have pointed out here in Okaz newspaper — where the editorial management and the sports editor-in-chief dealt with everyone professionally — as that writer chose to use insinuation rather than direct confrontation, while at the same time not being the 'faithful adviser' to those who thought well of him and placed their trust in him, even though I was honest with him and others in more than one article, giving him clear advice. But he refused and was arrogant, continuing on the same path, so I had to write this article, hopefully.

In conclusion, history will remain a witness that is not written by threats, nor erased by the language of warnings, but is made by documents, preserved by integrity, and vindicated by time. God guides to the right path, and He is the one whose help is sought.