RIYADH, 24 March 2005 — An unhappy home is the cause of youths going astray and eventually taking to terrorist activities. This was the general consensus of Saudi women delegates at a symposium on the role of the business community in combating terrorism, held yesterday at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI).

More than 200 male and female sociologists took part in the meeting held to coincide with the International Day of Social Services.

A woman sociologist pointed out that a broken home is bereft of understanding and communication with one another within the family. Such a family environment leads to frustration which eventually leads the youth to be misfits in society who resort to nefarious activities.

The symposium focused on the role of social services in combating terrorism. The speakers included Maj. Gen. Dr. Saad A. Al-Shahrani, dean of the College of Higher Studies at Naif Arab Academy for Security Sciences, and Professor Abdul Majeed Tash Muhammad Niazi, member of the Faculty of Social Services, Social Science College, Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University.

“The symposium was intended to demonstrate the solidarity of the business community with the Kingdom’s anti-terrorism campaign,” Dr. Abdul Aziz A. Al-Magushi, assistant secretary-general for media affairs and chairman of the National Products Center of the RCCI, told Arab News.

Asked about the role of the chamber in creating social awakening to the dangers of terrorism, he said this was being done at different levels.

“We have approached around 150 social workers employed in hospitals and charitable organizations to spread the message of Islam as a religion of peace, justice and tolerance. These social workers, both men and women, have also targeted schools and private sector organizations,” he added.