DAMMAM, 30 May 2004 — An edge of anger could be heard through the shock and disbelief with which people in the Kingdom greeted news of the Alkhobar attack, with many warning that greater effort is clearly needed in the fight against terrorism.
Many Westerners Arab News spoke to were understandably cautious, and most asked not to be identified.
The mood has shifted between the two attacks that fatally bracketed the month of May. After the May 1 Yanbu attacks, many foreigners spoke of a steely resolve to stay in the Kingdom and stick it out. Now that is changing.
“Today’s attacks were terrible for those people who were injured and who have lost their lives,” Alan Russell, a British business manager said in Dammam. “People I have spoken with today are obviously concerned that this has happened. I noticed that among the Saudis and security forces there is a fair degree of embarrassment about today’s attacks. Quite a lot of people are shocked.”
“We have to do all we can to prevent such acts in future,” warned Abdul Razzak Al-Turki, a prominent businessman. “This is really bad.”
Dr. Solaiman A. Solaiman, a Saudi physician, said the attacks are “dangerous not just for Saudi Arabia but for the whole region. I don’t know where this violence today will take us. Whatever the nationality of those who were murdered and injured today, it is a tragedy for all,” he added.
A homemaker from Egypt, Muna Muhammad felt the terrorists have proved they are not Muslims. “Our Prophet advised us that even in a war we should not cut down a tree. Now these people are killing Muslims and murdering foreigners under our protection. This is wrong. They want to destroy this country. They want to make people feel unsafe. They must be stopped,” she said.
In Riyadh, a Westerner who asked not to be identified was also angry to learn that once again innocent people are being victimized. “The victims are people who have come here not only to earn their bread but who through their efforts are helping the Kingdom develop,” he said.
The expatriate community has again been put on the alert by the latest vicious attack, according to a teacher who works for an international school.
A British executive said the terrorists could succeed in their aim to drive Western expatriates out. Already, the UAE has become the preferred choice of overseas investors, he said, and attacks like these would discourage investors further.
After living in the Kingdom for 18 years and for 27 years in the Middle East, one Greek expatriate said he now felt insecure for the first time.
“We are all upset and worried about the whole situation,” he said. “Nobody feels safe here any more because you don’t know where these terrorists will strike next.”
A senior American executive of an investment firm agreed terrorism is already taking its toll on the Saudi economy. “As a long-time resident here for the last 15 years, it has become almost impossible to persuade prospective employers and employees to come over for new projects where technical and financial resources are required,” he said. “Who would like to come here under these circumstances? We fully respect (the Kingdom’s) religion,” he added. “But it is its narrow interpretation that is hurting the country and its economy.”
The concerns of others are closer to home. Benny M. Quiambao highlighted the misfortune of Filipinos who are often caught in such attacks because they are menial workers at the locations the terrorists target.
“In this latest terror attacks, Filipinos have been killed, although they may not be the primary targets. Nobody seems safe anymore,” Quiambao said.
But Dan Paredes, who manages a restaurant in Dammam, is unconcerned. “Terror attacks are not new anymore. They have happened in Riyadh, in Jeddah and now in Alkhobar. They seem to have become common. Besides, we are a long way from the place where the attacks took place,” he said.
In Jeddah, one Arab-American who did not want to be identified tried to imagine the anger that motivates such attacks. “People see, hear and read of innocent people being killed in Iraq and Palestine day after day. They want to do something. But this is not the way to do it,” he said.
“One can understand why their blood boils at the atrocities. But this is not jihad. God will not forgive them,” he added.
Muhammad Aseeri, a Saudi executive, agreed. “These people — the Americans, the British, the Australians, from the East and the West, they are here as guests, legally. In Islam they deserve hospitality. Those who are using guns and bombs against our guests are misguided,” he said.
“What had that young Egyptian child done wrong? What had any of those who were killed done wrong? How many will they kill?” he demanded.
Eric Schiller, a German accountant, said he found the killings, here and everywhere, disgusting. “If killings could solve problems, the two world wars would have brought lasting peace,” he said, and added, “Violence is not an answer to violence.”
“As a Saudi, I feel ashamed,” said Salah Badr. “These people are maligning the name of Islam and the Kingdom.”
H.M., an American, said these people do not realize that whatever gains in public opinion and public feelings in the United States are made, are lost by such senseless acts. “You cannot reach the sky on a pyramid of skeletons. And that goes for all who kill innocent people anywhere on whatever pretext,” he added.
“We have utter contempt for terrorists or whoever they are,” Saudi businessman Khaled ibn Talal said. “What do they think they can achieve by killing innocent people?”
As news of the killings and hostage taking was being updated on satellite television throughout the day, many expats wondered what motivated this latest attack.
Westerners and other expats in Jeddah also fear terrorists could resort to novel methods to attack housing compounds or factories and businesses. Reports from witnesses that the terrorists in Alkhobar were dressed in military-style uniforms created particular concern.
— With input from Javid Hassan, K.S. Ramkumar, Habib Shaikh, Rodolfo C. Estimo Jr. and Chito P. Manuel.
