RIYADH, 23 April 2005 — The General Presidency of Youth Welfare has fielded a Pakistani expatriate in the war against terrorism.
“I have already covered 3,500 km on bicycle in two months and hope to do as much over the next two months,” Mohammed Ali Bakhsh told a press conference on Wednesday night held under the auspices of the Pakistan Writers Club.
It is the second time in a decade that GPYW has mobilized its forces in support of a social cause. In the mid-90s, the General Presidency, under the late Prince Faisal ibn Fahd, had spearheaded a massive campaign, “Say No to Drugs”, that started from Riyadh and crossed over into the Gulf states to spread awareness about the evil effects of drug abuse. This time, however, Prince Sultan ibn Fahd, the current president of GPYW, has commended the initiative of Bakhsh, who resides in Al-Ula, near the historical ruins of Madain Saleh, to embark on the mission against terrorism.
Asked why he had decided to undertake the mission, Bakhsh said it was to support the Kingdom’s effort in the war on terror and also to demonstrate the Pakistani community’s solidarity with the Saudis in the joint struggle. “If security forces and Saudi citizens have become martyrs in combating terrorism, I am willing to sacrifice my life for a noble cause,” said Bakhsh who set out on his cyclothon to cover the length and breadth of the Kingdom before crossing over to Bahrain from Dammam to continue the Gulf tour. However, the Gulf segment will be covered on motorcycle.
Bakhsh, who has five children residing in Al-Ula, launched his anti-terrorism campaign from Madinah after performing prayers at the Prophet’s Mosque. His peace mission has the blessings of Minister of Interior Prince Naif, Riyadh Governor Prince Salman, Madinah Governor Prince Miqrin, Jeddah Governor Prince Mishaal and Deputy Governor of Makkah Abdullah Al-Fayez. Sheikh Abdul Rahman Sudais, the imam of the Grand Mosque, has prayed for the success of his mission.
Speaking about his experience, Bakhsh said he has already covered eight cities and 50 villages in the Western Province before cycling to Riyadh. “I have been doing 70 to 100 km per day, depending on the weather and road conditions. If I have to negotiate a steep ascent, then the speed drops to 5 kmph. At times I have to carry the cycle instead of the cycle carrying me in the event of a breakdown. In one such case, Prince Miqrin donated a cycle to me when the one I was using broke down.”
He added that he has lost 10 kg since the start of his odyssey on wheels. Baksh feels energized rather than enervated by the sweltering heat of the day.
His style of spreading the message is simple. He moves around in military fatigues to symbolize his campaign against terror. Armed with messages of support from top government officials and escorted by police, Bakhsh becomes an instant draw wherever he goes. “In Taif, I was invited to a wedding, where the people, instead of greeting the groom, started meeting me. Then the groom and I had to sit together along with the guests to whom I explained the objective of my mission,” he added.
