A nation is as dear to its people as the blood that runs through their veins and the love for their country is the same as for their own souls. He who does not love his country lives without a country.
These aren’t just hollow slogans or propaganda used to please others; it is the truth. If the love of a people for their country was as great as these words suggest, then we would find their immediate reaction to those who harm its stability and security as swift and severe.
People in business should react even quicker and more zealously to any threat facing them. A threat to their financial assets is a threat to their way of life.
Individuals and families, villages and Bedouin areas, cities and districts all live on the thriving economy. From this economy grew our educational system with its schools, colleges and universities.
It was the basis for our government’s projects that spawned giant services such as the water purification plants and the electricity generators as well as creating entire cities. This economy is what has made us who we are and has put us on par with many of the worlds’ other developed nations.
Again I stress, this is not simply propaganda; were we to ask our forefathers what the country was like a hundred years ago, we would be amazed at the lack of resources and the situation we would have lived in had it not been for the leadership of King Abdul Aziz and his sons. We are still developing, and were it not for the tremendous efforts that have been made, we would not be where we are now.
So how can we allow our economy to be affected by a small group of misguided miscreants who live in a world of false hopes and dreams believing that they are supported by our society?
These people feel that they are defending Islam when in reality Islam disowns their ilk. They are misguided and thankfully have only found a strong resolute nation that is standing firm behind its leadership.
This group has harmed us as a nation and they have harmed our friends, colleagues and business partners — be they Muslim or non-Muslim.
Our partners, who helped in the development of our country, who have also welcomed our own students into their countries and have never oppressed or persecuted us; rather they have welcomed us and allowed us to pass freely.
As a result, we have built many economic and financial bridges between our countries and have benefited immensely from them.
So how is it that this small group attacks these people here in our country? Has Islam or our creed changed?
Of course not. What we see is a group of young misguided children in the garbs of adults, following the opinions of maverick students of Islam. They have no sense of national pride.
I write this letter expressing the genuine concerns of a Saudi businessman. In turn he is worried about his country, for his nation’s security depends on the security of its economy.
It is everyone’s responsibility to look after the security of the country and it should not be left for the government to handle alone.
Everyone, from teachers to academicians, businessmen to imams, fathers to sports coaches must work hand in hand with our government in combating this evil.
After all the development that our country has gone through, the biggest challenge for us remains spreading moderate and balanced thought and fighting extremism.
Abdullah Sadig Dahlan
Saudi Economist
