Samar Fatany
The recent executions of convicted terrorists in Saudi Arabia sent a strong signal that the Kingdom will not tolerate any violence or terrorist activities on its soil. The expanding control of Daesh (the self-proclaimed IS) in vast territories in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Libya and elsewhere has reached a dangerous level and the Kingdom cannot allow the perpetrators of violence to spread their evil into our land.
Political scientists and military and security experts urge a complete rethinking of existing counterterrorism policies and assert that the challenge today is to develop new defenses against the amorphous and threatening terrorist phenomenon.
Terrorists continue to radicalize the youth of all nationalities, persuading them to go to Syria to work with their organizations. They have been particularly successful in recruiting members through social media. Terror groups rely on Twitter and Facebook to reach out to potential recruits among our youth and those in the rest of the world.
Social scientists support an open dialogue with young people because they believe that it provides a glimpse into their mindset. They maintain that governments must address the frustrations of the youth and eliminate the obstacles that stand in the way of their aspirations. Parents and civil society are also urged to pay more attention to the needs of young people and provide them with guidelines that protect them from devious cyber-terrorist propaganda.
Community leaders need to address the social ills that have led Saudi youth to join Daesh and turn hostile against their community and environment. It is important to engage the young in the global fight against terror and encourage their participation in programs with innovative ideas to counter terrorist destructive designs and violent attitudes. Such initiatives can certainly have a more credible and positive impact.
Meanwhile, both the state and academic institutions have a responsibility to inform and educate the public about the danger that lies within. The role of educators cannot be stressed enough in this process. Government efforts to upgrade the skills of educators and to instill in them the Muslim values of moderation and tolerance are vital initiatives to combat the prevalent sectarian and racist divide that poses a dangerous threat to our security and social stability.
What is happening around us in war-torn countries indicates that these terrorist organizations continue to gain their strength from global and regional support and, therefore, we must take every precaution not to allow them to infiltrate our homeland. They operate under the guise of Islamic slogans but their actions are brutal and blatantly violate Islamic principles and universal human rights. They butcher and torture innocent people and call it Islam to demonize and tarnish our faith.
It is critical at this stage to mobilize a stronger united front of moderate reformers to combat the radical ideology that is a threat not only to Saudi Arabia but to the whole region. The public should be more alert and more involved in confronting the toxic mentality of Daesh sympathizers among us. A stronger sense of patriotism and better citizenship should be encouraged.
Extremism is fundamentally an ideological crisis. It needs to be addressed more openly and effectively by moderate rhetoric and less inflammatory language so as not to further radicalize and incite different groups against each other. A new approach of accepting and respecting the differences between all segments in society is critical. More determined efforts by religious scholars can put an end to hostilities and eliminate the tension and divisions that threaten the nation’s stability. Tolerance must be maintained to protect the social cohesion of our society.
Sectarian conflicts have dragged other countries into civil wars that have no end. The media and opinion leaders are called upon to act in a more responsible way and strive to create a spirit of solidarity between the different factions of society rather than drive them apart by inflammatory accusations that cause further divisions and mistrust.
Muslim scholars and researchers must not give up on reaching a consensus that could guide the Muslim nation toward peace and global coexistence.
The uncertainties and anxieties that are prevalent in the Middle East today are a source of great concern. Political analysts assert that the immediate challenge is restoring stability and calming people’s concerns about looming threats of war in the rest of the region.
The Arab and Muslim world is in crisis. There should be no delay in mobilizing an Arab Muslim alliance to confront the dangers within and the alarming dubious external threats surrounding us. The public must remain vigilant and aware of the existing danger. Protecting our homeland security should be the responsibility of all of the citizens of this country - men, women, the old and the young. God bless our holy land.
Samar Fatany is a radio broadcaster and writer. She can be reached at samarfatany@hotmail.com
