A little boy about 12 was sitting with his father in a doctor’s waiting room. Two non-Arab nurses walked through and the little boy, with an astonished look on his face, said loudly and clearly to his father, “There are too many Westerners in here. Why doesn’t somebody blow this place up?” The boy then turned to the other side of the room where a bearded man was sitting. Looking at his father and indicating the bearded man, he said, “We’d better pin our hopes on him.” The boy’s father was silent; nothing did he say and nothing did he do.

This is not the opening scene from some horror film or a terrible joke making the rounds. It is what actually happened and was witnessed by a friend who told me about it. I am sorry I was not there because I am sure I would not have kept silent. I would surely have had a conversation with the boy and his passive father. It amazes me to think of a parent in today’s world failing to react to such a bigoted and intolerant statement by a child.

I thought of the incident after reading the recent Arab News article by veteran radio journalist Samar Fatany. I could not agree more with what she said in the article about the importance of parents and guardians being more attentive to their children.

Fatany pointed out that education begins at home and that it is our responsibility as parents and guardians to teach our children our religion’s values. Unfortunately, many families fail to do this. What makes the situation even worse is that children are often fed incorrect and evil ideas in schools; too often parents are totally unaware of what is being taught and so obviously are equally unaware of the dangers.

The terrible attacks by terrorists which have taken place in Saudi Arabia were mostly, if not completely, carried out by young men. These individuals to a man had been misled and motivated by erroneously interpreted religious beliefs. I do not necessarily blame our curriculum or our religious books but I do blame the methods of presenting them to students. Surely the very first step we must take in the fight against terrorism is to evaluate our teachers and make sure that what they are teaching is what should be taught.

At the same time, when we talk about fighting and defeating terrorism, it is vital and essential to educate all our citizens and residents. The general public must be taught how to respond not only to the violence but also to the persuasive rhetoric which precedes it. Even if linked to the most noble causes, terrorism is inexcusable and sinful brutality. Murdering innocent people going about their daily business will not help liberate Palestine or stabilize Iraq. One cannot condemn violence and injustice and yet at the same time use them as a means to some end.

The need for this kind of education is now absolutely essential in our schools. The directive to engage all education sectors in the activities of the counterterrorism conference should be treated as a command. In our efforts to combat terrorism, however, we must organize year-round seminars and workshops for schoolchildren. The seminars and workshops must not be linked to one particular date; they should be ongoing. Public awareness would thus become an effective weapon against terrorism.

There are various benefits to be gained from focusing on young people. They must be taught how to react correctly and positively to the world as it is today. We all have a role to play in fighting terrorism and extending awareness is part of it. Sadly, terrorism is now a reality that we must deal with and we must not delay in confronting it.