Attack on Charlie Hebdo
We all know the story of a bear that killed its owner because of its extreme love. It used to protect him from being hurt by any danger. One day when the man was sleeping under a tree, the bear saw a fly roaming around his face. The bear became so furious that it jumped over the man’s head to protect him from the fly…but its show of love killed that man.
I remembered this story while following the terrorist attack on the French satirical weekly magazine Charlie Hebdo by extremists. The attack, which resulted in the killing of 12 people, has been denounced by all countries but was praised by the Islamic State terrorist group. An IS spokesman described the attackers as lions of Islam.
In my opinion, the criminals who carried out the attack were not lions but a group of bears, who did wrong to Islam by this crime, either intentionally or because of ignorance. Apart from causing problem to Muslim minorities living in the West, the blasphemous caricatures would be republished along with news of the terror attack by the world media.
As reported by newspapers and television channels, Charlie Hebdo was facing an economic crisis, which was threatening the magazine’s existence. Charlie Hebdo has published several controversial articles and cartoons, criticizing Islam and Christianity. As a result, it has won the wrath of Muslims in the East and West. The Jews have also criticized the magazine for publishing anti-Semitic cartoons. A number of lawsuits have been filed against it. Consequently, the magazine was going through a critical financial crisis.
— By Abdul Aziz Al-Suwaiyegh
Dependence on oil
Oil is an important source of energy and the dependence of countries on oil is likely to continue for a long time. I don’t think alternative sources such as solar energy, and wind force would replace oil within a short span.
The decline in the oil prices was quite natural due to large-scale production of the black gold by many countries. Rising oil prices in the beginning of the last year encouraged many countries to invest more money in the profitable industry to increase production.
But as a result of falling prices many producers would rethink whether they should continue production to sell oil at cost price. Some may continue their production to meet expenses of building infrastructure projects in the sector.
It is worth mentioning that the oil-rich Gulf countries have been using their oil revenue not only to finance their development projects but also to support poor countries. They gave huge amounts in foreign aid to poor countries without expecting any economic or political benefits in return.
Saudi Arabia is considered the world’s largest donor to developing countries as it offers a percentage of its gross domestic product. The world is lucky because of oil presence in the Gulf countries as they, unlike other oil producers, give a lot of money for humanitarian projects in other countries.
— By Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al-Bishr
Stand firm against terror
The activities of the so-called IS in Saudi Arabia seems to have an unclear agenda and vague targets.
Despite their provocative speeches and bloody deeds, we find Muslim scholars using soft language in addressing terrorists and extremists. The dialogue with holders of opposite views such as Sufis, Shiites, Ashaaris and liberals takes stricter forms where scholars stamp with worse descriptions while declaring them as non-believers, to say the least, just for a dispute over understanding certain issues, or because the others adopt a different approach, ideology or a lifestyle that contradicts with the social norms and not the Shariah.
This smooth and soft approach toward IS has raised lots of questions about their connection with IS, whether this was an ideological connection or an actual one.
IS’ agenda was made public on their Twitter accounts, audio and video statements which only conveys fear, exaggeration and attempts to emotionally lure simple-minded people to believe in them as they sell the illusion of jihadists who want to spread the Islam and fight tyrants.
What makes their speech even more popular is their use of religious terms coupled with a Saudi accent. This approach has given them access to those who are susceptible to the so-called revolution, particularly that the claim that they’re looking to establish an Islamic state.
I haven’t yet found any better explanation than the one prominent Sheikh Saad Al-Shathri used to describe IS, “The organization known as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria is fighting God and his messenger. They sow corruption and act against Islamic law. Belonging to this organization constitutes a major sin and apostasy. Any member of them who is killed is not a martyr, but we believe that he will go to the Hell. It is forbidden to cooperate with them since this is considered a betrayal of God, His Messenger and the Muslims. It is forbidden to reach any agreement or truce with them. Fighting them is one of the most important duties ordained by the Shariah.”
The real confrontation of IS terror group is done through exposing its reality to the world, not surrendering to it and warning everybody against its corrupt and wicked intentions. Its attempt to spread fear among us won’t succeed because we’re here standing tall against them.
— By Mohammed Al-Hamza
Respecting traffic laws
Driving has become a serious concern for many people due to the numerous and dangerous mistakes committed by others on the road. Ranging from ignoring traffic signals, not knowing where to stop or turn, not wearing seatbelts, using mobile phone while driving, some of these law breakers are freely wandering in the streets, putting others’ lives in danger. Furthermore, some police officers, instead of enforcing laws, are found guilty of committing these violations.
To protect citizens’ safety, the relevant authorities need to take serious measures and apply systematic solutions to end the erroneous traffic behavior. I believe the following steps are vital to help decrease traffic accidents.
First, hold an intensive training course for traffic police about the traffic laws. Officers should sit for a test at the end of the course to assess how well they have mastered the regulations.
Second, we have to educate citizens by creating traffic awareness through the distribution of brochures in markets and streets, and by publishing informative material in different languages through the media.
Third, we have to improve the road marking system especially near the traffic lights. Four, put traffic signs in main streets to clarify traffic direction or parking areas, etc. especially inside neighborhoods. Five, set speed limits in all roads.
Six, carry out intensive awareness campaigns with the support of highly-qualified traffic police officers in the streets, mainly at the traffic lights, in order to guide the public and encourage them to abide by laws and regulations.
Seven, give a three-month-period for the awareness campaign during which drivers receive warnings not fines that help them learn. After the end of the campaign, regulations should be strictly implemented. Eight, the society has to learn traffic regulations and fines through the media.
Nine, set up a secret team to monitor traffic police behavior and impose tough punishment on them. Ten, officers need to check the vehicles’ overall look and condition. Eleven, Deploy special traffic police in neighborhoods to limit breach of laws, such as wrong parking and child driving.
— By Atef Baker Darwish
Killing of animals
Psychologists and sociologists have the opinion that the killing and torture of animals by some teenagers was because of their behavioral disorders, which may encourage them to commit crimes against fellow human beings in the future.
It has been discovered that people involved in violence against animals would have enmity toward human beings. Researches conducted on people involved in rapes and murders have showed that they used to torture animals during their teenage.
The attitude of people toward animals surrounding them will have an impact on children and molding their behavior. Scientific studies published in other countries have also proved that professional killers had their initial experience in killing animals before killing humans.
The recent report of a group of teenagers killing a dog by hitting the animal by their car should not be considered as a simple issue. We should know that such barbaric crimes threaten public security. We hope officials would give details about these teenagers, their background and motives. They should be handed over to the judiciary to punish them according to the law.
Parents should also teach their children on the importance of taking care of animals and protecting their rights of life, food and security. They should also set a good example for their children by giving food and care to their animals.
Security authorities should explain to people the punishment they receive for torturing and killing animals. Families should keep a watch on children who deals with animals violently and provide them with necessary psychological treatment.
— By Siham Al-Sharikh
Rising prices of commodities
It seems that greediness in the minds of some traders is one of the chronic ailments that the Health Ministry has failed to treat. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has also failed to tackle this problem, which has reinforced in the minds of traders and importers.
The government has issued several orders and instructions urging traders not to increase prices. But the prices are going up without any control. The prices shoot up along with the increase in salaries of government employees or with the issuance of royal decrees offering new financial benefits to citizens.
These salary hikes and royal decrees are aimed at helping citizens to face the increasing cost of living and daily expenses but they would not be able to benefit from these increases because of the greed of most traders and importers, who swallow these benefits by artificially increasing prices of essential commodities including foodstuffs.
— By Abdullah Omar Khayyat
