JEDDAH, 7 December 2004 — People of Jeddah were taken by surprise yesterday morning because the city and its people have a reputation of being tolerant, nonviolent and able to live in harmony with the expatriate community here. Being a port and the commercial center of Saudi Arabia, Jeddah has always been more open and cosmopolitan.
This attack will tarnish that image and people are very sad and angry about what happened. “I couldn’t believe what was happening when I heard about it,” said Greg, an expatriate working at a local company. “This is very bad. People are scared now, especially Westerners. It’s unfortunate when innocent people become casualties of such terrorist attacks just because they were at the wrong place at the wrong time,” he told Arab News. He expects that people will become more cautious but they will not necessarily decide to leave Jeddah.
“This will have a negative impact not only in the short run but also on the long term,” said Dr. Nadia Baeshen, director of Khadija bint Khowailed Center for Businesswomen. “Violence is not a solution. We need dialogue. Why does this group not have the courage to speak with others rather than kill? And who was killed in this operation? Saudis. They did not achieve anything. They don’t have clear objectives,” she told Arab News.
“This indicates that it is becoming dangerous in our streets and they are threatening our children. For what? There is so much chaos and uncertainty. This is insane,” she said in frustration and despair.
Naturally the economy will be the first thing to be affected in times of crisis. “We are at war, so the economy will be affected. This is a bad time for this operation because with the oil prices being high we should be in an upturn, but now we will suffer because everything is based on cause and effect and there will be economic consequences,” she said.
As for foreigners, she expected them to start leaving which will also have a negative effect.
“This operation will not serve the goals of these terrorist groups whatever they maybe. On the contrary, I think it would give our government greater support from the people and internationally,” said a physician who did not wish to be named. “I think these terrorist operations are a result of years of brain-washing and intolerance being taught in our schools. I don’t know if it’s too late to even talk with these groups because they have gone beyond reasoning. Strict measures have to be taken against them,” he said emphatically. “What happened is scary and makes you feel that there is no safe place with these unknown groups living among us,” he added.
Residents of the city also expressed mixed feelings and concern regarding the rise of militancy in the region. Sentiments ranged from fear to anger to sadness.
Josephine, a French national, told Arab News that she was at the Suleiman Fakeeh Hospital located across the street from the US Consulate, when the incident occurred.
“I didn’t hear any explosion, but I certainly heard gunshots and saw thick smoke rising out of the compound,” she told Arab News.
Saeed, a Saudi businessman, said, “I am very sad that such things are happening in my city. I want these problems to go away, they don’t belong here, we want peace with everyone.” His sentiments seem to be widely shared by the majority of the people interviewed.
However, many here seem to have a very different opinion and attitude toward the whole issue of “terrorism”.
“I’m upset no Americans were killed,” a lady who refused to give her name or nationality told Arab News. She explained that it wasn’t that she hated Americans, but that they force their ideology and way of life on others and that it needed to be stopped by someone. “Britain and France did the dividing after World War I, the United States keeps us divided till today.”
“When I heard what was happening I became very nervous,” Chiara, a European woman told Arab News. “Although it was quickly resolved, which is good, it makes me think twice before spending too much time at places like Starbuck’s Coffee, because it seems that anything American is just too dangerous to be around.”
For the residents of Jeddah, yesterday’s unfortunate events leave them in an unusual state of confusion, and with much apprehension over their security in the future.
