An article written by Khaled Al-Sulaiman in a local Arabic daily Okaz was translated and used in Arab News on July 7. The article was concerned with the large number of Africans in Makkah who, according to Al-Sulaiman, have become a public menace. He alleges that these Africans have no respect for the laws of the Kingdom and that they care for nothing but money with no regard for how it is acquired. He said "they multiply like rabbits" and compared them to unwanted "weeds in the soil of a rich farmland."
Thank you, Mr. Khaled Al-Sulaiman for giving us a piece of your flowery prose. I read your articles from time to time and am always amazed at your language as well as your choice of words. But this time, I feel, most strongly, you have gone too far. You have revealed your dreadful racist tendencies by focusing on one ethnic group. You have even stooped to using the same expressions a certain Italian writer, Oriana Fallaci, used about you and all of us when she said that all Muslims breed like rats. (By the way, Fallaci is well-known for her critical and intolerant views of Islam and Muslims.)
It seems to me, Mr. Al-Sulaiman, that you have compounded the problem by stirring up fears and suspicions against the Africans. To begin with, none of us will deny that overstayers are a source of many problems in this country. (This is not to suggest that all our problems come from overstayers. We Saudis ourselves are the source of many.) No one will maintain that law and order are not of prime importance. And certainly no one wants to live in an unpleasant or disorderly neighborhood. But what we cannot tolerate are irresponsible words and ill-considered sentiments that hurt the feelings of many innocent people who, because of circumstances beyond their control, are often forced to live in or migrate to places they would have otherwise avoided.
The beauty of this country of ours has always been evident from its support, compassion and care for the less privileged segments of the population. And God has blessed this land even more by allowing us the two holiest spots on the planet, Makkah and Madinah.
In addition, He has also blessed us with resources sufficient to support us comfortably for which we must be thankful. What is wanted from us is understanding and compassion for unfortunate people who are living in our country. They need kind words; they do not need insults, racial slurs and unconcealed prejudices. Let us all pray to God to give us the chance and the privilege to help those less privileged and less fortunate than we are.