Ten of the 26 terrorists whose names appeared on the most wanted list are graduates of one of our famous universities. Reports said a leader of the terror group arrested recently in Taif served as an education supervisor.
Are we really aware of what it means to have a terrorist working as education supervisor? How did the authorities fail to take notice of something like this? These questions must be addressed.
Another terrorist was a teacher before joining the terror group. He was subsequently arrested in connection with the acts of violence that rocked the country’s capital.
Imagine having two educationist-turned-terrorists working at our schools and among our children for years influencing the youngsters without anyone taking notice. Is supervision and control at our schools that lax? We willingly give our enemies a free hand to do whatever they wanted and influence our children without their actions raising any suspicion.
Not long ago, one of the terrorists killed in a clash with security forces was found to have worked at a notary public’s office in a one of our cities.
The authorities sacked or suspended from work a large number of preachers and clerics, but the question here is whether preachers are aware of their role and know what is required of them in such circumstances.
It is clear that there are preachers who tend to incite and whip up public sentiment by promoting extremist thought.
Many of those were silenced when the deviant ideas they preach posed a threat to the country’s security and stability. The challenge we now face is protecting the achievements we built over the years at great sacrifices and high cost.
The ignorant and the mischievous should not be allowed to undermine peace and security or threaten any of its achievements. Not everyone should be treated in good faith. It is true, suspicion in some cases is a sin; it is also true that not all suspicion is a sin. This is especially true now that many hidden things have come to the surface.
